MADISON, Wis. -- A Madison police program kicked off its third year with the help of some handiwork volunteers from St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church and Land's End.

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The department's "Gotcha Covered" program puts blankets in the back of squad cars so officers can give them out to people in need during emergencies.

"Over the weekend, there was a really nasty domestic incident on the West Side and while officers were in there dealing with that, there were observations made that the kids were sleeping on the floor, that they had some pretty shabby blankets. So through the generosity of Land's End and these others, we now have a number of blankets to hand out," said Police Officer Mike Hanson. "We followed up and brought some bedding and blankets to the family and they're incredibly appreciative of it."

"We've made hats and mittens and things but blankets, I think, you just get the idea of them being wrapped around somebody, hugging them," said volunteer Maria McHugh. "Our theme is stacks for love St. Thomas Aquinas -- crocheting, knitting and sewing for love and we end up figuring they're wrapped around with blankets and it keeps them the most warm."

Officers said the blankets are very comforting, WISC-TV reported.