CHESAPEAKE — Last week, some Lawrence County teens made a difference — one square at a time.

To commemorate Make a Difference Day, Briggs Lawrence County Public Library’s Young Adult Program made a special gift for a local children’s ward - a paper quilt filled with well wishes and uplifting messages.

“I knew I wanted to do a special program for Make a Difference Day. I thought making a craft and donating it would be a good project,” Briggs Young Adult Coordinator Amy Ward said.

The paper quilt is made of colorful squares crafted from teens who attend the monthly young adult program at the library. After decorating the paper squares, encouraging words and happy messages were written on them to lift the spirits of the hospital’s young patients.

According to Ward, when the program ends, the squares will be attached together to form a “quilt” which will be donated and placed in the children’s ward of an area hospital.

“I like to teach the teens to give back to their community,” Ward said, “Usually the programs are all about them, but every few months I like to teach them to do something for others.”

Barbie Plybon, 15, said she has been coming to the teen program for about two years, and it is something fun she likes to do. Plybon said she thought it was nice to do something to make the kids feel better. “God is with you every step of the way,” was written on her quilt square.

“I think it is a pretty good cause,” she said. “It makes people feel better.”

Nikki Nye, 16, and her friend Stacey Carper, 17, agreed the project was a lot of fun.

The Young Adult program generally meets once a month at each branch of the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library.