(AP) Boscov's department stores in the region are planning a blanket drive in honor of the iconic founder of the family-owned retail chain who died last month. Store managers and a public relations director for Boscov's unveiled the idea Wednesday to local media representatives at the downtown Wilkes-Barre store. The blanket drive, slated to take place this fall, is being called "A Blanket from Al."

The idea was sparked by the words of Boscov's wife, Eunice, in a video tribute that was played at a ceremony in 2009 when a bronze statue was dedicated to Boscov in his hometown of Reading. She described a time when they were first married decades ago when they were driving in upstate New York and came upon a bad vehicle crash. Boscov grabbed a blanket from the car and went to comfort the victims."Looking back at that time, I think that was kind of the first inkling of what life with Al would be like," Eunice Boscov said in the recording. "He has always been there with a blanket for anybody who needed it."Stores in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazleton and Pottsville will take part in the initiative to collect new blankets for the less fortunate. Details about the drive will be announced in the months to come, she said. Boscov, 87, died on Feb. 10 shortly after announcing he was diagnosed with end-stage pancreatic cancer.