Trinity Christian Student starts

“Knots of Joy” to bless those in need

By Samantha DePriest

It came as no surprise to the Upper Elementary School family when 4th grader Joy Lander was awarded the “All Smiles Award” at the 4th grade awards event in May. Each year Mahaffey Linkous Orthodontics recognizes a student who is an encourager and a joy to be around. The student body votes and then the student selected receives an Amazon gift card that Mahaffey Linkous Orthodontics generously donates.

Trinity 4th grader Joy Lander shares how her heart has been inspired to reach out and help others in need. Joy shares “I have learned that it is important to help people because it feels good to help people when they’re struggling.  We have many family friends and family members diagnosed and battling cancer over the last year.  They were adults and have said how hard it is to go through treatments. Over a Chick-fil-A ice cream, I told my mom I wanted to do something for kids in the hospital.  I have a little blanket I took everywhere when I was little, sleep with to this day.  I wanted those patients to have something to hold like that when they are feeling alone and scared in the hospital.  We went to work in May of last year and made 100 blankets, in a month, with friends and delivered 100 blankets to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The Volunteer Coordinator smiled when she filled the wagon with the blankets, and I knew that I was making a difference for kids with cancer.  I also found out through starting this project that others wanted to help bless others with me!

Knots of Joy, initiative, isn’t about seeing the blessing in person, but it is about the big impact.  I have posted on Facebook and watched others make these blankets with me and grownups have donated over $1000 to support Knots of Joy.  I have been able to buy cutting mats, good scissors, and fabric to bless others with these blankets.”

Joy Lander was assisted by her friends and sisters Anna Kate and Callie Jo Whittle in preparing the soft fleece fabric for the handheld comfort blankets for the 4th grade service project at Trinity Christian on Monday, May 22nd.

The 4th grade student body came together and helped Joy make 110 blankets in just about an hour. Last year this time Joy shared that she had only made 5 blankets. With her classmates help, she is able to donate more than 300 blankets to foster organizations, children’s hospitals, and mission trips all over the world.

Joy goes on to share “Over the last year, we have made and donated over 450 blankets to Cancer patients. Those blankets are going all over the world to Belize this summer, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and expanding to Foster Children with The Bloom Closet, First Responders to give to children they are caring for in the community and Nursing homes to comfort lonely elderly patients. 

It has been amazing to watch all ages get into the Knotting game to make blankets or donate money to see more blankets.  I have had teachers post on their social media pages to help encourage others to donate money, friends request how to do it and mail me 50 blankets to donate, my friends have come over for Knotting Parties, and we have blessed so many people together.  It seemed like a small idea over ice cream to do something sweet for kids going through things bigger than I could think about, but I was able to encourage and impact others to think about these children and join in to be a blessing by knotting blankets with me!  I have learned that I can lead others to bless others, no matter what age they are, and that is being an effective leader in my community.” 

      I encourage kindness, use my manners with my friends and adults, have a reputation for living out my name, encourage others in all they do, cheer people on, make cards for my friends, pray for people when they are anxious, show up, and show initiative when someone needs a hand.  I know that all these little things have added up to others seeing that I am making an impact in the classroom, Go Kids at Church, and the community that I get to serve.”