Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care is in need of blankets to give to the patients in their care.

Many hospice patients become chilled in the cold of winter, and Coastal Hospice has traditionally provided blankets to give them comfort and warmth. The nonprofit also delivers blankets each year during the second week of December, when volunteers dress like Santa and elves and go to patients’ homes to bring holiday cheer. This year, the demand is exceeding the supply on hand.

“Our patients — many of whom are bed ridden or in wheelchairs — truly appreciate the extra comfort and warmth these blankets provide,” Sally Rankin, volunteer coordinator for Coastal Hospice, said. “It also makes them feel a little bit better knowing someone out there cares about them.”

Most appropriate are quilted, knitted, crocheted, or soft fleece blankets in throw, twin, or full sizes. The blankets must be new, and can be either handmade or purchased.

Donations are being accepted during regular business hours at the Coastal Hospice main office at 2604 Old Ocean City Road in Salisbury, or at Coastal Hospice at the Ocean at 10441 Racetrack Road, Taylorville Center, in Berlin.

More information is available at 410-742-8732.

Founded in 1980, Coastal Hospice is a nonprofit health care organization that cares for individuals facing life-limiting conditions but who want to remain as active and engaged as possible. Coastal Hospice cares for patients in their home, nursing home, assisted living facility or at Coastal Hospice at the Lake.  The organization serves Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester and Somerset counties.