Members of the York Community High School Alumni Association, (from left): Linda Boeske-Aldis, Lisa Fanelli and Kathy Wilson, sold Elmhurst landmark blankets at the Elmhurst Farmer’s Market in July. The woven blankets commemorate popular sites in the town.
By Julia Locanto
For The Elmhurst Independent
Elmhurst residents are commemorating their beloved town with special woven throw blankets this year and they are currently available for purchase as Christmas gifts.
The York Community High School Alumni Association is selling throw blankets that pay homage to various Elmhurst landmarks. Originally made in the 1990s, the association created an updated version.
Kathy Wilson, the association’s president, said they have already sold 60, and they hope to sell more around the holidays.
“Since our November newsletter, people began buying them in bulk,” Wilson said. “This is something we could continue for at least another year.”
The original version of the woven throw blanket was sold by the District 205 Foundation in the 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, the alumni association commissioned a new blanket with updated landmarks.
The association decided to start selling the blankets to raise money. Wilson said the association wants to create a nontraditional scholarship for Elmhurst students who want to attend trade schools.
Board member Lisa Fanelli thought the throws would be a great way to raise money, especially after the success the District 205 Foundation had.
Fanelli said they updated the graphics for certain landmarks, such as the Elmhurst Public Library, Wilder Mansion and York Community High School. They also decided to add York Theatre.
“We thought it was really emblematic of downtown Elmhurst,” Fanelli said.
Old renditions of the blankets included landmarks such as the Elmhurst city clock, York Woods County Forest Preserve and the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art.
Now, the blanket includes the Veterans Memorial, Elmhurst History Museum, Elmhurst Art Museum, York Community High School, Elmhurst Public Library, Illinois Prairie Path and depot, Wilder Mansion, Glos Memorial Park, Churchville Schoolhouse, Elmhurst University and York Theatre.
The new blankets were ready for sale in late June. Wilson said members of the association started selling them at the Elmhurst Farmer’s Market in July.
They also gifted a blanket to Jean A. Schildbach for her 100th birthday. Schildbach is York Community High School’s oldest living graduate.
“Jean was thrilled,” Wilson said.
The alumni association additionally presented the 2020 Dukes of Distinction honorees with a blanket.
The new blankets are available in green and cream or black and cream, and measure 48 x 68 inches. They are available for $65 each plus shipping, but local pickup is available.
The throws are becoming popular. Wilson said it has been difficult to spread the word about them during COVID-19.
“We normally would have gone to high school games and other events,” she said.
Currently, the only advertising has been in the association’s monthly newsletter and by word-of-mouth.
“We would like the town to know that these are available,” Wilson said.
Fundraising is an important part of the York Community High School Alumni Association. Fanelli said their plans for a scholarship focus on skilled trades and any career and technical education organizations.
The association hopes to work on more education funding projects like this, Fanelli said. Last year, they helped send students to a journalism conference in Washington, D.C.
In addition, the group is working on an archiving program for historical records, such as yearbooks.
Wilson said the association has many things they want to accomplish, despite the difficulty of COVID-19.
“We have lots of ideas, but we need people to join,” she said. “There’s lots of stuff we can’t do right now.”
The association is hopeful that the blankets will gain popularity, considering how meaningful they are.
“Everybody loves Elmhurst,” Wilson said. “People that grew up here come back. You don’t have to have gone to York. It’s all about Elmhurst.”
To order a blanket, visit elmhurst205.org/alumni/alumni-association/ychsaa-merchandise.
