Durant child collecting blankets to keep families warm this winter

For the second year in a row, a local child is working with area businesses to keep kids warm through the long cold winter months.

9-year-old Emma Burkhart tells us she came up with the idea for the "Keep Kids Warm Blanket Drive" after she received two of the same blanket last year.

Since then she has collected hundreds of blankets for needy children.

"I just love seeing them so happy about getting the blanket,” Burkhart said.

"We didn't know if we would get 20 blankets, or 50, or 100,” Burkhart’s mother, Melisa said. “We really didn't know what would happen so it was really excited when it took off. We have a great community."

They ended up with more than 200 blankets their first year.

“That day she woke up and just was crying because she was so excited that she realized, it was happy tears, that so many kids had blankets that morning for Christmas.”

Jimmy's Egg opened in Durant last month. They're just one of the places accepting blankets for the drive.

"When you're part of the community you just want to give back to take care of people that take care of you,” manager Mark Reedy said.

Rib Crib is giving out free chips and salsa to everyone who donates a blanket at their Westside Drive location.

"I'm really excited about collecting them all,” Emma Burkhart said.

Burkhart has collected 270 blankets so far this year. The goal is 350.

All donations will go to the children of Families Feeding Families, Adopt-a-Block Program, & Student Assistance Program. Blankets will be collected up until December 15th.

Drop-Off Locations:

Brown's Funeral Service at 4900 W. US Hwy 70

Mix 96.1 at 2803 W. University Blvd

Mackey Home Furnishings at 320 W. Main

The Old Ice House Salon & Day Spa at 215 N. 3rd Street

Axis Dance Co at 202 S. 2nd

Durant Intermediate School at 1314 Waco St

Jimmy's Egg at 2501 W Main St

Smart Mouth Family Dental at 1220 N Washington Ave

KSEO/KLBC/99.7 The Buzz at 1418 N 1st St

Rib Crib at 311 Westside Drive