Embracing Others: How Albanian Latter-day Saints Share Love, One Blanket at a Time

In the Bible, Christ imparts two great commandments: “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” and “love thy neighbour as thyself.” For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Albania, these commandments transcend words on a page; they represent a call to action—one they willingly embrace. 

In December 2023, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated a set of washers and dryers to an orphanage in Saranda, Albania. With the remaining funds, Albanian Saints organised a service project tying fleece blankets and writing Christmas and New Year’s cards for the orphaned children and nearby families. 

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Inspired by an elderly blind woman in the United States who expressed her love for those in need by tying blankets and hugging each one before giving them away, the Albanian Saints launched the “blanket-and-a-hug" project. Emulating her generous spirit, over 80 full-time Latter-day Saint missionaries stationed in or near Albania gathered to make 28 large fleece blankets and Christmas and New Years greeting cards for the orphaned children in Saranda, and three additional local families in need. 

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving others is an essential expression of their faith. The Book of Mormon, a sacred text for Latter-day Saints, declares, “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” With this principle in mind, the Albanian Saints organised another blanket tying project--this time, for new mothers in need.

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In May 2024, a group of 30 Albanian Latter-day Saint women partnered with Lizzy Grezda, Director of the Mother and Child Hospital Foundation. Together, they made 100 baby blankets and accompanying cards to be put in boxes provided to new mothers in need. Additionally, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated vital sign monitors, pulse oximeters, and boxes full of newborn essentials to the organization. 

When asked about her thoughts on the project, Sister Caroline Casper, a missionary for the Church in Albania, stated, “I gave that blanket a big hug, hoping the mother would feel even a fraction of the love that her Heavenly Father has for her.” While the joy derived from service is motivation enough, Latter-day Saints often find greater satisfaction knowing that their service can be a conduit for sharing God’s love.

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Making an impact does not demand extravagance or grand gestures; it simply requires a genuine intent to do good. Through their service, Albanian Latter-day Saints touched the lives of approximately 130 individuals, ensuring they felt noticed, loved, and cared for—both by their neighbors and by God, one knot at a time.