TOTS Blanket Challenge has a Tree of Hope for 2024
This festive season Panthers Penrith has invited eight wonderful charities to each decorate a tree in the foyer as part of their annual Trees of Hope event. This year the TOTS Blanket Challenge was chosen to have a “Tree of Hope” on display. it was only fitting to have a tree covered in crocheted squares (these will be turned into blankets when the tree comes down).We put a call out to our community asking for Christmas squares and we were inundated.The outcome has resulted in a unique tree that has been decorated with lovingly handmade granny squares that our community have created. You can see it on display in the Panthers foyer. Don’t forget, if you are a Panthers Member, please vote for us this year!
The charity organisations chosen by Panthers Penrith this year are:
- Cancer Wellness Support
- Luke Priddis Foundation
- Penrith Community Kitchen
- TOTS Blanket Challenge
- Penrith Men’s Walk & Talk
- Regentville Fire Brigade
- The Haven Nepean Women’s Shelter
- Panthers on the Prowl
Are you a Panther Penrith Member?
If you are a Panthers Penrith Member – you can VOTE for our TREE! All members, staff, and directors will vote for their favourite tree, with the charities competing for a share of $9,000 in prize money.
Members Favourite – $4,000
Directors Favourite – $3,000
Staff Favourite – $2,000
How it works
- Visit Panthers Penrith between the 14th of November and the 15th of December.
- Scan your members card at the Panthers Kiosk – select Trees of Hope to receive a ticket.
- Place your ticket into the barrel of your favourite tree. ( TOTS TREE!)
- Members can vote once a day for the promotion period.
What is the TOTS Blanket Challenge?
Simply put it is a challenge for volunteers from all across Australia to participate in doing some good in our local community. We ask participants to knit or crochet 20x20cm squares that we then sew (yes, more volunteers) into blankets for those most in need in our community. We like to set ourselves lofty goals of donating blankets which like this year alone – we managed to get to a whopping 680 blankets in total. We hope that you can help us reach our target by joining our challenge in 2025! If you can’t knit or crochet we always need help to sort squares or sew them together.
If you are a school, this is a great social justice activity to do within your classes, retirement villages have been amazing in helping us too. We welcome any age group and love it when we see our men getting involved.
Where do the completed blankets go?
We like to support a variety of charities to ensure that people from all walks of life can benefit from these blankets and get wrapped in warmth, love and the kindness of others. Our Partners are: WestCare Services, Platform Youth Services, Penrith Community Kitchen, The Haven Nepean Womens Shelter and Link Wentworth Housing and The Cancer Wellness Support Group
By joining this challenge you really are helping make a difference to someones life and we thank you for your kindness.
For more information about the TOTS Blanket Challenge, you can find this on our Blanket Challenge page right here.