Staff Council Updates

More than 100 faculty and staff members stopped by over the course of the four-hour Cozy Creations for Little Patients blanket-making event, creating 43 handmade fleece blankets that have now been delivered to Children's Hospital Colorado. The blankets will provide warmth and comfort to children during their hospital stay, offering a small reminder that an entire campus community is thinking of them. The event was inspired by Children's Hospital Colorado's blanket-making volunteer program, which invites groups to create no-sew fleece blankets for patients.

The event wasn't just about making blankets. It created an opportunity for colleagues from across CU Anschutz to meet, work side by side and spend time together while supporting a meaningful cause.

Throughout the afternoon, tables were filled with conversation, laughter and plenty of teamwork as participants measured, cut, tied and assembled blankets. A pizza lunch kept everyone fueled while new connections were made across departments and teams.

The response from participants made it clear just how much the event resonated.

Many attendees shared that they appreciated having an opportunity to give back in a hands-on way while also building relationships with colleagues they might not otherwise have met.

"Great event, thanks for organizing!"

"Loved this event. It was such a meaningful way to participate."

"I had two babies at Children's Hospital Colorado in the NICU, and they both received blankets. Being able to participate in making blankets for other families was incredibly meaningful."

"Please do this again!"

"Do this more than once a year, please!"

"This was so nice because we got to interact with people outside of our own group."

"Such a meaningful way to get involved."

Behind the scenes, bringing the event to life required months of persistence.

A special thank you goes to Tiffany Hamilton, whose determination made this event possible. Because university policy does not allow Staff Council funds to be donated directly to another business unit or charity, Tiffany worked through the approval process to demonstrate that the funds would be used to purchase materials for a staff community-building event, with the completed blankets becoming the meaningful outcome of that event. Her dedication and careful navigation of the approval process allowed this idea to become a reality.

The result was an afternoon that strengthened connections across campus while making a tangible difference for children and families at Children's Hospital Colorado.

As the boxes of finished blankets were delivered to the hospital, they represented far more than fleece and fabric. They reflected the generosity, collaboration and compassion of more than 100 members of the CU Anschutz community who came together with one shared purpose: helping make a child's hospital stay just a little bit warmer.

And to everyone who contributed their time and efforts, Suzy Jaeger, Senior Vice President and Chief Patient Experience and Access Officer from Children's Hospital Colorado has a message for you:

View the Online Photo Album
Browse our online album to see teams with their finished blankets, volunteers hard at work throughout the event, moments shared around the crafting tables and a well-earned pizza lunch and snack table that helped fuel an afternoon of giving back.