The annual blanket drive conducted by the Donald Simpson Centre in Cleveland is on again, and this year the community event has a new name: The Ernie Harrison Blanket Drive.
At his retirement celebrations last September, former centre manager Ernie Harrison was delighted to hear the blanket drive, which he initiated 18 years ago, would henceforth be named after him.
In a speech he gave at the time, he said of all the programs he had started at the centre, the yearly blanket drive had most captured the community's imagination.
"Of everything I've done in my life, nothing has been up to the level of inspiration the blanket drive has created," he said.
Current centre manager Thomas Jithin said the 2015 drive was well under way, with more than 100 donated blankets having already been received by the centre.
"There is a huge need for these blankets in our community," he said. "This was Ernie's initiative and we're continuing his legacy."
Thomas said the blankets would be delivered to the Bay Islands Community Services Centre for distribution to individuals and families in need on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
He said people could deliver new and pre-loved blankets to the Donald Simpson Centre, 172 Bloomfield Street, Cleveland, between 9am and 2pm, Monday to Friday.
The drive will run until the end of June.
For more information, contact the Donald Simpson Centre on 3821 1089.
