From left, members of the Compassion Outreach Group of the Mother Lode Newcomers Club Debbie Peterson, Fran Weinrob, Karen Warner and Marilyn Dillon made prayer blankets for Amador STARS (Support, Transportation and Resource Services). Photo by: Bethany A. Monk

Fran Weinrob, member of the Mother Lode Newcomers Club, remembers when her mother was fighting cancer.

"I know those van rides (to the hospital) can be cold," said Weinrob, who lives in Pine Grove. "What better than to a have a hug wrapped around you on those rides."

Weinrob and the nine other women who belong to the Compassion Outreach Group of the Mother Lode Newcomers Club made 22 prayer blankets. Several of the women presented the blankets to the Amador STARS (Support, Transportation and Resource Services) Monday afternoon. STARS, located on Court Street in Jackson, is a nonprofit organization supporting local cancer needs.

The blankets will be given to cancer patients who visit or utilize Amador STARS, said Ginger Rolf, Amador STARS board director and one of the founders. "You feel cold because you're not feeling well," Rolf said. Now cancer patients who visit STARS will have "a memory from such a wonderful organization," she said, referring to the newcomers club.

A prayer blanket is a "physical expression of compassion and mercy to those who are suffering," Weinrob wrote in a press release. "The blankets are nothing more than two pieces of material cut and tied together, but they are much more than the sum of their parts. Each uniquely tied knot represents a prayer lifted up, and when you cover yourself with this blanket, you will be literally wrapped in prayer."

The Compassion Outreach Group made enough blankets to fill every seat in the four vans belonging to Amador STARS, Weinrob wrote. "We have met that goal through time, treasure, and the talent of the COG members, and from a generous grant from the Mother Lode Newcomers membership for nine blankets."

STARS was formed in 2004 when Rolf, and other local cancer activists Nina Machado, Nancy Swensen, Shannon Rolf and Phyllis Swensen began raising funds to help support local cancer needs, according to Amador STARS' Web site. Also on the board now are Carol Woolsey and Gretchen Carlson.

Amador STARS helps cancer patients with a variety of resources including: Providing information about local and regional services available to cancer patients and survivors; where to find a wig when they are going through chemotherapy; providing free transportation (including wheelchair access) to radiation and chemotherapy treatments in Sacramento, Stockton, Lodi, and in Amador County. Amador STARS has also helped reinstate full-time oncology services to Amador County.

"My heart went out and I responded immediately," said Amador newcomers member, Marilyn Dillon. Her mother battled cancer and the opportunity to help someone fighting the disease is something she jumped at the chance of doing.

"I think it's a wonderful way to give back," said newcomer Karen Warner, who lives in Pine Grove.

"We hope that the clients of STARS will feel warm and comforted by these blankets and that they will feel wrapped in prayer when they use them," Weinrob said.

The Mother Lode Newcomers Club meets the first Thursday of the month from September through May. The group helps acquaint members with activities and resources in the Mother Lode area. For more information, visit www.motherlodenewcomers.org, or to reserve a space in an upcoming luncheon, e-mail, resv4nc@yahoo.com.

"It's all about these girls - they did a beautiful job," said Chesney Grant of the women who made the blankets. Grant is a newcomers board member.

"The newcomers group is a lot of fun," Warner said. "It's just a wonderful group of very warm, very welcoming ladies."

"It's a wonderful outreach and a blessing to help others," said newcomer Judy Regnier.

Other members of the Compassion Outreach Group who participated in making the blankets include Linda Ferro, Frances Garner, Nancy Street, Chris Weidinger, Chris Broadhead and Barbara Wenzel.

Amador STARS, located at 631 Court St. in Jackson, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and closed from 12 to 12:30 for lunch. For more information, call 223-1246 or visit www.amadorstars.org. All money raised by Amador STARS remains in the county for local cancer needs, except for a portion that is donated to cancer research.