Angels to Disadvantaged Need Assistance : * Quake Has Eaten Into Group’s Supply of Blankets, Clothes; Public Has Chance to Help

Sometimes it seems that there really is such a thing as a guardian angel. In the mid-1980s, reports on the homeless inspired a retired minister from Anaheim Hills, Raymond Fico, and his wife to give up holiday gifts and instead buy 250 cotton and polyester blankets for the disadvantaged. Fico designed a shiny silver polyurethane blanket that also can be used as a poncho or a tent.

His efforts spread to the formation of the nonprofit Covering Wings Inc., which has provided more of these durable coverings for the homeless. Since that time more than 260,000 blankets have been given away and the campaign has spread to more than a dozen states, to Mexico and to parts of Europe and Africa.

But that hasn’t been the end of it. Moved by the displacement of people close to home during the Northridge earthquake, Fico, known affectionately as the “Blanket Man,” depleted his warehouse of blankets and clothes to assist many thousands. Filling his van with 1,000 survival blankets, he actually patrolled the streets with his son-in-law in affected areas, passing out coverings to people who had set up shelters in deserted lots.

Last week, Fico estimated that he and his associates had given out about 18,000 blankets to earthquake victims. As a result of publicity about his efforts, he was able to buy more blankets, socks and sweat shirts with the generous contributions sent to his organization.

The earthquake relief effort is still being carried out, but to meet the demand, it was necessary to go into a supply that originally was intended to go for Orange County’s homeless population.

The group is still trying to replenish that supply and meet a real need for the county’s homeless population. Fico and Covering Wings Inc. (P.O. Box 17984, Anaheim Hills, Calif. 92817-7984, (714) 968-3358) have shown a caring attitude and have been a vehicle for the true neighborly spirit that exists in our area.