Thank you so much for letting us be a part of making the “no-sew” blanket kits! It worked perfectly and we enjoyed making and delivering the blankets. What a great way for my daughter to earn service hours and impact local children in a positive way!
Do you need service hours?
Sponsor a no-sew fleece blanket kit from us for just $12 (if you will pick up the kits) or $15 (if we need to ship the kits to you), make the blanket, and return it to us or deliver to a foster care agency in your area.
Order the blankets online (to pick up) OR (to ship), or come into our Blanket Workshop to pick up the kit, and make the blanket on your own time.
If you make any other type of blanket, keep track of the time you spend making it by completing and printing this Service Hours Tracking Sheet that we will use to confirm your time.
How many service hours do we offer per completed blanket?
Service Hour Assessment
You will need to complete the document below for us to confirm your service hours. It is an online Google form to be completed entirely by the participant for service hours validation.
Please read through the form BEFORE making your blankets. It contains information about what we require to confirm your service hours as well as a brief questionnaire to be completed.
Sponsor a no-sew fleece blanket kit from us for just $12 (if you will pick up the kits) or $15 (if we need to ship the kits to you), make the blanket, and return it to us or deliver to a foster care agency in your area.
Order the blankets online (to pick up) OR (to ship), or come into our Blanket Workshop to pick up the kit, and make the blanket on your own time.
If you make any other type of blanket, keep track of the time you spend making it by completing and printing this Service Hours Tracking Sheet that we will use to confirm your time.
How many service hours do we offer per completed blanket?
- No-Sew Single Fleece Blanket: ONE (1) service hour
- Crochet/Knit Blanket: Please use the Service Tracking Hours Sheet to record hours.
- Quilt: Please use the Service Tracking Hours Sheet to record hours.
Service Hour Assessment
You will need to complete the document below for us to confirm your service hours. It is an online Google form to be completed entirely by the participant for service hours validation.
Please read through the form BEFORE making your blankets. It contains information about what we require to confirm your service hours as well as a brief questionnaire to be completed.
Service Hour Assessment Form
HOW TO MAKE A FLEECE BLANKET (instructions)
How to make a fleece blanket (1-minute video)
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Making a no-sew fleece blanket is simple and quick. Our kits provide all you need except for a pair of scissors.
And you will be creating a lasting gift to comfort a child in foster care while you earn one service hour/blanket. ORDER BLANKET KITS To pick up. To be shipped to you. |
Malissa is a student who sent us this photo with one of the blankets she made to earn service hours.
She told us, "I would definitely do this type of service again because it was very straightforward and easy to do on my own time."
We're very grateful for students like Malissa who help make blankets for children in foster care.
She told us, "I would definitely do this type of service again because it was very straightforward and easy to do on my own time."
We're very grateful for students like Malissa who help make blankets for children in foster care.
Indiana University student knits for service hours
Ashlynn, a student at IU in Indianapolis, knitted two blankets for children in foster care while fulfilling her school’s service hour requirement. She made blankets in two sizes, suitable for younger and older children, and donated them at The Villages, a non-profit child and family services agency in Marion County.
Ashlynn shared with us her thoughts on the project from her service hours application. Read excerpts below.
Service Hours Application Reflections (excerpts)
What were your expectations going into the activity? How did your thinking change during and after?
...I admittedly didn't really understand the demand for handmade blankets for children before, but I think now I better understand how it would be important for children in foster situations... Handmade items show a huge amount of care and time, and I would imagine that can be very comforting.
What did you learn about yourself, others with whom you volunteered, and the community you’re serving?
I learned a surprising amount about foster care in this volunteer experience. I wanted to make sure I was making items that were appropriate and useful, so I did some research about how kids in the foster system transport things, how old they typically are, and more. I found online groups of people who had grown out of the system and read a lot there about the challenges of being on both the younger and older ends of the care spectrum. I tried to tailor my blankets to these needs, making one bigger and heavier to hopefully better fit older kids that don't always feel that foster resources are meant for them.
What was most challenging? How did you overcome this challenge?
The most challenging aspect of this service was choosing materials. Yarn did not seem like an overly complicated medium, but I wanted to make sure that I was choosing the right material. It needed to be machine washable, and I wanted it to be soft and warm as well. I also realized that it shouldn't be too heavy, as children in the foster system can move frequently, and that it should be durable enough to make these moves.
What is the value of performing service of this kind?
I think that this service is valuable because it helps support children in a very vulnerable situation. The things I learned about the foster care system, especially in Indiana and especially for older children, were incredibly disheartening. A handmade blanket cannot fix those issues, but it can provide comfort and care to people who might really need both of those.
This service is a great entry point into thinking about and being more aware of these broader issues without the pressure of approaching it with the intent to take on the whole system. The things I've learned during this service have made me more likely to get involved in this cause in the future and become more educated while also providing comfort items for kids, making it doubly valuable.
Ashlynn shared with us her thoughts on the project from her service hours application. Read excerpts below.
Service Hours Application Reflections (excerpts)
What were your expectations going into the activity? How did your thinking change during and after?
...I admittedly didn't really understand the demand for handmade blankets for children before, but I think now I better understand how it would be important for children in foster situations... Handmade items show a huge amount of care and time, and I would imagine that can be very comforting.
What did you learn about yourself, others with whom you volunteered, and the community you’re serving?
I learned a surprising amount about foster care in this volunteer experience. I wanted to make sure I was making items that were appropriate and useful, so I did some research about how kids in the foster system transport things, how old they typically are, and more. I found online groups of people who had grown out of the system and read a lot there about the challenges of being on both the younger and older ends of the care spectrum. I tried to tailor my blankets to these needs, making one bigger and heavier to hopefully better fit older kids that don't always feel that foster resources are meant for them.
What was most challenging? How did you overcome this challenge?
The most challenging aspect of this service was choosing materials. Yarn did not seem like an overly complicated medium, but I wanted to make sure that I was choosing the right material. It needed to be machine washable, and I wanted it to be soft and warm as well. I also realized that it shouldn't be too heavy, as children in the foster system can move frequently, and that it should be durable enough to make these moves.
What is the value of performing service of this kind?
I think that this service is valuable because it helps support children in a very vulnerable situation. The things I learned about the foster care system, especially in Indiana and especially for older children, were incredibly disheartening. A handmade blanket cannot fix those issues, but it can provide comfort and care to people who might really need both of those.
This service is a great entry point into thinking about and being more aware of these broader issues without the pressure of approaching it with the intent to take on the whole system. The things I've learned during this service have made me more likely to get involved in this cause in the future and become more educated while also providing comfort items for kids, making it doubly valuable.
HoursMonday - Friday: 10 am - 4 pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday |
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My Very Own Blanket is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Tax ID 90-0198206 MVOB Privacy Policy
Thank you for your donation to support MVOB's mission to provide handmade blankets to children in foster care and children in need.
No goods or services are provided in exchange for contributions to My Very Own Blanket.
Thank you for your donation to support MVOB's mission to provide handmade blankets to children in foster care and children in need.
No goods or services are provided in exchange for contributions to My Very Own Blanket.
