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Former premie offers blankets of hope
Blankets of Hope: Christopher Mobile, 13, delivered handmade Eagle Scout Project blankets to Evanston Hospital. | Karie Angell Luc~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 15, 2013 6:19AM
EVANSTON — Thirteen is a lucky number to Christopher Mobile, 13, a Northbrook Cove School seventh-grader, who organized the Blankets of Hope Eagle Scout project.
Christopher was determined to earn his Boy Scout Eagle rank at a young age thanks to more than 100 handmade fleece blankets delivered to the Evanston Hospital Henrietta Johnson Louis Infant Special Care Unit.
Thirteen years ago, Christopher was born 14 weeks premature, spending 11 weeks in Evanston Hospital intensive care. The nurse who cared for him as an infant, Denise Hansen, was present the day Christopher and his family delivered the blankets.
Last month, Christopher completed his Eagle Board of Review. As of March 3, his mother Joy Mobile was still waiting to hear if the Boy Scouts of America national office hadapproved her son’s Eagle Scout status.
“I am so incredibly proud of my son for his accomplishments,” said Joy Mobile. “He set a goal to make Eagle (rank) within two years of becoming a Boy Scout and never lost sight of this challenging goal.
“He thought that receiving these (blankets), accompanied by a message of hope attached to each blanket, would encourage parents at a difficult time and “give a hug” to their infant,” said his mother.
Christopher has two brothers, Josh, 10, and Aaron, 7, both Beach Park Howe Elementary School students. His father is Steve Mobile.
Q. Christopher, why did you choose blankets for your Eagle project?
A. I did this because I was born here, and as my mother and father told me, there is a lot of stress having a newborn baby, not knowing if it’s going to live or die. And I wanted to give the mothers hope as well as something for the baby to hold onto.
Q. Denise, what do you think of the blankets?
A. Well, the parents will appreciate having something that looks a little less clinical at the bedside. It’s something that makes it look more personal. It keeps their (baby’s) eyes protected from the light. When they get bigger, it can be tucked around them to keep them warm.
Q. What else is in those blankets?
A. Denise: A lot of love. It’s like a big warm hug.
Christopher: Put the heart into it.
Q. Did you receive a help from others, Christopher?
A. So many people came to my Eagle project. And they all put their time and effort and love into these blankets. My way of giving back.
Q. Denise, what do you think of the young man Christopher has grown into?
A. I think he is phenomenal. He’s absolutely phenomenal.
Q. Christopher, what does this project symbolize?
A. I’ve got to think about that. My goal with this Eagle project was to give the mothers hope that their little baby can grow up to do something great. I love being in Scouting. I think it’s a fun thing. Most kids usually make their Eagle at 18 or 17 and I did it at 13.
Q. Christopher what do you want to do for a career?
A. I want to be a missionary. I’m going to help people. I want to give other people hope. Hope blankets. Blankets of Hope.~.
