Mystic Sisters begin new year with annual blanket project

A group of women dedicated to lending a hand to friends and neighbors in need put their hands to good use during their first meeting of the new year.

The Mystic Sisters, a group of eight Plains-area women, gathered at the home of member Paula Petri Wednesday to hand-craft warm fleece blankets. The group's motto is "women helping women," and the blankets have been donated to local organizations, such as Mountain Home in Missoula and the Sanders County Coalition For Families.

The border of two pieces of colorful fleece material is cut into strips, and the Mystic Sisters tie each strip together to create blankets for mothers and children.

The Mystic Sisters donated adult and baby blankets to Mountain Home - a facility for unwed mothers and their children - and have given four blankets to SCCFF, so far. Members say they choose different local organizations to donate their blankets to, and may give to hospice members next.

The group also provides gift baskets to local women who have lost loved ones or have been diagnosed with cancer.

The baskets include books and CDs, bath salts and slippers knitted by Mystic Sister Maria DesJardins.

The Mystic Sisters, formed in 2003 by Petri and Debbie Griggs, meet every Wednesday during the school year and also take part in the Sanders County Relay for Life each summer. They hold a garage sale once or twice per year to raise money for their projects, including blankets and gift baskets and "blessing boxes" which have been handed out over the holidays.

The group was formed with the goal of helping other local women, but also to provide an outlet and an opportunity to foster friendships within the group.

The Mystic Sisters are seeking donations for their fund-raising garage sale. Contact group members for more details about donations and their various community projects.