Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1203639
KNITTING A CONNECTED WEB OF KINDNESS While many of us sit idle during lunch breaks, a group of caring individuals known as The Blanketeers, keep their hands busy with knitting or crocheting, creating hand-crafted items for people in need. At Disney Television Animation, a small but dedicated group of Blanketeers, led by storyboard artist Cathy Jones, weaves a web of kindness with yarn and fabrics donated by people who support their cause. The Blanketeers just celebrated their 20th year and they craft everything from blankets and scarves to stuffed animals. Eugene Salandra, who's been a part of the group since 2004, learned to crochet from his great-great-aunt, Lula, when he was a child. A production board artist, Salandra has been with Disney for 20 years, working on projects such as Sofia the First. He was persuaded to join The Blanketeers by colleagues who'd decided to get involved more directly and wanted to loop him in (no pun intended, he insists, with a laugh). They started a little group that he would later lead along with writer Kate Moran. Moran, who is currently working on an unnamed Disney project, says she was fascinated by The Blanketeers, whom she would see knitting during lunch. "I actually learned to knit and crochet by joining The Blanketeers about 10 years ago." Anyone who wants to learn can participate. Lori Campos, who is The Blanketeers' regional leader for THE BLANKETEERS "Many of our items will go to people in our community... We don't know who it's going to go to, but we know that it will be appreciated." Disney TV writer Kate Moran (below) and The Blanketeers (right) hold up one of their community creations. (opposite): Examples of the crafts the group shares with those in need. A F T E R H O U R S