LITE offering star blankets to non-profits

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This article was published 22/10/2013 (4443 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In aboriginal culture, star blankets are thought to result in good dreams and prosperity. LITE (Local Investment Toward Employment) is making sure they do just that.

The inner-city charity, located at 765 Main St., is currently accepting applications from non-profit organizations to acquire its star blankets, made by local aboriginal businesses and co-operatives.

“What LITE does is we raise money and we put that money to purchases or grants to help support job opportunities and training in the inner city,” says Anne Lindsey, LITE executive director.

LITE purchases star blankets from Cree-Ations (1146 Main St.) and Northern Star Worker Co-op, which is located within Neechi Commons (865 Main. St.).

“Star blankets are a traditional aboriginal craft. They’re like big quilts essentially, with a star design and different colours,” Lindsey says.

“A few years back we made a decision to buy a certain number of star blankets from the artisans that are producing them. Other organizations that are out in the community doing work to alleviate poverty can apply to get one of the star blankets that we purchased.

“They in turn can use those star blankets as part of their fundraising, like as a raffle prize, for instance. They then send us a report saying what the impact of the money raised from the star blanket was.”

To be eligible for a free star blanket, non-profits must be a registered Canadian charity, show support for Community Economic Development principles and prove they are helping people of low income.

To download an application form, go to www.lite.mb.ca

The deadline for applications is Nov. 1.