Everyday Hero
YouYou deserve deserve
Good things!
Proof that it only takes one person to make a difference
“My blankets are a special thank-you to our K-9 heroes!”
Every success starts with someone who has oceans of hope and determination, the courage to take a chance on themselves and the belief that they can and will make their dreams come true. And that’s someone who sounds just like you!
S
itting down at her sewing machine one day in 2018, Midge DeVenero-Reichardt felt a rush of excitement. Since learning to sew in 2009, Midge had been making fleece blankets to donate to various charities—the homeless, kids with cancer, animal shelters. But recently, a couple had come by to check out a feral kitten she was fostering, and they got to chatting about her blanket project. When Midge mentioned she was always looking for new recipients, they told her that local police departments had K-9 units that may need them. A rush of adrenaline engulfed the Point Pleasant, New Jersey, widow, imagining
K-9 Officer Devante wears his blanket proudly…
these special dogs snuggled in one of her fleece blankets. Midge contacted the Point Pleasant Beach and Point “I want them to know they Pleasant Borough police are appreciated,” says Midge departments. Each had two (right), with a grateful K-9 team dogs in service. Excited, Midge picked up some From there, Midge began brightly colored fabric with reaching out to police departpaw prints and made blankets ments all across the state. Her for all four dogs. The handlers heart soared as officers sent her were so touched and grateful thank-you emails and photos that Midge began contacting showing their dogs cozied up in other area police departments her warm fleecy blankets. that had K-9 units. One officer shared how his “In appreciation of the daughters had a ritual of coverservice K-9 teams provide,” she explained, “I would like to make ing his dog in his K-9 blanket before going to bed each night. fleece blankets for your dogs.” To date, Midge, 70, has Sergeant Peter Glass with made and donated 500 blanthe Ocean County Sheriff’s Department gave a list of seven kets, using her own money for supplies, and plans to continue dogs that would be blessed, he to give police K-9s somesaid, to have one of Midge’s thing to wag their tails about. blankets to cuddle up in after “I pour love and prayers into a long day out in the field. He even offered each blanket,” Midge says. “I to pick up the hope when the K-9 handler blankets—and sees his partner wrapped in brought along two one of my blankets, he will be officers with their reminded that his K-9 team is K-9 partners. appreciated for the service they Seeing the dogs both provide and that there are wrapped in her prayers for blessings and proOfficer Caster blankets filled tection being said for them.” likes to nap on his Midge with joy. —Diane Nichols
Has a person or animal come to your rescue? Share your own story with us, and we’ll pay you $200 if we publish it! Know of a hero? Send it to us! If you’re the first to share it and we publish it, we’ll pay you $50! Email your story with your name and phone number to: WWFeatures@WomansWorldMag.com. Or mail to: Everyday Hero, Woman’s World, 270 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632.
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1/10/22
Woman’s World
We pay $200!
Getty (3); Officer Rich Herzer; Sgt. Brian Howarth
You’ve got everything that makes happiness happen!
For years, Midge DeVenero-Reichardt enjoyed making blankets for local charities. But when she learned there were K-9 police dogs in her area that put their lives on the line every day, a new calling took flight in her heart!
