The mission of the new 180 RCO is to mobilize resources within and outside the recovery community in Jackson and Jennings counties to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction.

As the group works to become a nonprofit organization, leaders decided to make giving back to the community a focus, too.

Nearly 10 adults and kids recently came together to make nearly 90 fleece-tied blankets and scarves to donate to Seymour Crossing, a senior citizen living community.

“Obviously, our main part is going to be within the recovery community, prevention and recovery and finding resources for people and just being there for an ear to listen to,” Jennifer Hopkins with 180 RCO said. “But we decided that we didn’t just want to be for the recovery community. We want to be part of our community in general.”

Hopkins recently attended a blanket party at Rockford Community Church and thought it would be a great project for 180 RCO. She rallied her group to gather for a party, and one of the board members, Sara Bowling, had a connection to Seymour Crossing, so it all came together.

“One of our board members of the RCO works at a different nursing home, and she talked about basically how sometimes this time of year, it’s very sad. They may not always get visitors, and holidays are hard for everyone,” Hopkins said. “It was actually her talking about it that really pushed us to do the nursing home. We just decided that if we’re going to do it, let’s spread some joy to people who may not get a lot of joy this time of year.”

As they dropped off the blankets and scarves Dec. 22, Hopkins was joined by fellow 180 RCO members and three of the kids who helped in going from room to room handing them out and singing Christmas carols.

Hopkins said it was all about bringing comfort and joy to the 74 residents at Seymour Crossing.

“Sometimes, we do a lot of hard work and (there is) the stress and the chaos, but I 100% know God will show up,” she said. “This is happening a little chaotic, and that means God’s going to show up and it’s going to be beautiful because that’s what he does.”

The project was funded by Mission Indiana, an organization run by Jenn and Matt Snodgrass that does data collection and reporting for nonprofits, and Bite the Bullet, a local gun shop owned by Hopkins’ husband, Mark Hopkins.

“All of the material was donated, and then we got together last week at our church (Immanuel Lutheran Church) and just had a tying party,” Hopkins said. “We tied a bunch of blankets there, and then most of us went knee-deep in fleece.”

Jenn Snodgrass said blankets also will be given to Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry and The Alley, and some were given to The Arc of Jackson County for its recent Christmas banquet. Another blanket party is planned for January.

Hopkins said 180 RCO will look for other ways to help the community in the future.

“I think the biggest thing is people need to see that people are changing and doing good and pushing forward in the right direction every day,” she said. “It’s important for our community to see that.”