Sometimes, something as simple as a handmade quilt can make you feel right at home.

On Friday, Girl Scouts of Troop 303 took a trip to the Major Paul Syverson Veterans Sanctuary, also known as Paul’s House, in Jonas to deliver a stock of blankets for the residents, and to learn a little about what the volunteers at the house do to help veterans in need.

“This is their Bronze Award project. They did a journey, and they talked about how to keep the environment green. The girls came up with making a blanket that doesn’t use electricity or sewing machines,” Troop leader Tracey Andrews said.

Girl Scout Lillian Stein came up with the idea for the project, drawing from her own personal interest in quilting.

“I actually have this quilting kit, except they were small squares, and I thought it would be nice to make them, except with big squares, and donate them,” she said. “I feel like it’s a good thing to do, to donate to veterans. It’s a kind of Girl Scouty thing to do.”

Stein’s father, who is familiar with the efforts of Paul’s House, suggested that the blankets might be a good gift for the residents.

Amy Bamford, vice president of operations and volunteer at Paul’s House, said that she met with the Scouts to help them with their project.

“They wanted to make a difference in the lives of some people when they don’t feel so good about themselves,” she said.

“Making blankets so the veterans have something of their own was a great project for them to do. It will make a difference, and give the veterans that come here to stay at Paul’s House a feeling of home. It’s almost like wrapping a hug around them.”

The Scouts agreed that a simple show of compassion to an oft-neglected group of people can really make an impact.

“It makes them feel that people actually still care about them, and believe that they’re an important part of this world,” Girl Scout Hailey Andrews said.

While at Paul’s House, Bamford offered the Scouts a tour of the facility, where she explained how the volunteers help up to 13 veterans at a time who suffer from homelessness, mental health issues and more.

Bamford was especially grateful to the Scouts for reaching out to the veterans in their own community in order to make a difference, because a simple blanket can mean so much more to one person in need.

“The Girl Scouts are always trying to give back and do something better, but when they can do it within the their own community to address a need in the community, it makes a more important impact on them and the veterans in their community,” she said.