A Suffolk high school student continues to provide warmth and comfort with her Helping Hands to others in need.

Ta’Myra Freeman, a 15-year-old sophomore at Lakeland High School, distributed about 80 blankets to roughly 80 people at the Christmas Blessings event on Dec. 21. Her Ta’Myra’s Helping Hands organization was assisting the homeless that visited the event at Faith Community Church, alongside the Suffolk organization Community Angels.

Community Angels distributed about 75 “blessing bags” to homeless in need during the four-hour event, and more than 80 meals, according to Victoria Baker with Community Angels.

“It went very well. We had a great turnout,” Baker said, adding that the plan is to make this an annual event going forward.

In addition to her blankets, Ta’Myra also gave socks, hats and scarves to homeless individuals, along with toiletry items like soap, lotion, mouthwash and conditioner.

“They were very happy, and blessed that somebody in the community was willing to help them,” Ta’Myra said.

She started Ta’Myra’s Helping Hands in December 2014 and has given away between 200 and 300 blankets since she started.

“She is very passionate about it,” said her grandmother Dianette Ferguson, who assisted Ta’Myra at the event.

Ta’Myra first started Helping Hands when several years ago, she noticed how many homeless people in Suffolk were forced to brave cold, wintry conditions this time of year.

She wanted to give back to her community, so she started collecting blankets for the homeless, along with toiletry items.

“I like to give back to my community and help others. I’m very fortunate and blessed. I just want to spread to others that are less fortunate, that can’t provide for themselves,” she said.