Style/Type of Blanket? We accept new blankets that are sewn with material (cotton, flannel, fleece and other materials appropriate for a child), yarn blankets that are knitted or crocheted and “no-sew” fleece blankets. Please do not attach anything to your blankets such as buttons that could be a choking hazard, or ribbons, strings or other items that are more than 4" long.
Creating a lasting gift for a child in foster care “No-Sew" Fleece Blankets (from our kit) Our “no-sew” fleece blankets are made from a 1.5-yard length of fleece. Our kit includes the fleece with our tag already attached, fringe cutting template and instructions. Blanket makers who purchase their own fleece will need to be able to sew our special tag on their finished blanket.
Correctly completed fleece blanket
Caseworkers prefer single layer fleece blankets. Due to the size and weight of double layer blankets, they are limited to giving them to older children. Single layer blankets can be given to toddlers on up to teenage youth and fit nicely in a brand new backpack or duffel bag.
Blanket Size Yarn or material blankets Our blankets are given to children and youth of all ages -- infants up to teenage youth. Approximate dimensions for knit, crochet and material blankets: 36” x 36” (small), 40” x 50-60” (medium), 60” x 80” (large). These measurements are suggestions and can vary. They do not apply to fleece blankets. Fleece blankets "No-sew" fleece blankets made from our kits are made from a 1.5-yard length of fleece. Most fleece is about 58" wide.
Colors? Patterns? Themes? All colors, themes and patterns appropriate for children & youth are acceptable. We do ask that you avoid themes related to violence or war (guns, knives, soldiers, etc.), drugs/alcohol, or logos/images related to causes (such as cancer ribbons). Blankets should not have any embellishments such as pockets, beads, zippers or buttons. All blankets should be machine washable and dryable.
Do blankets need to be washed before we donate them? No, you do not need to wash your completed blankets unless they came in contact with pet hair or were made in a home where individuals smoke.
Do you accept monetary donations? We do accept monetary donations by sending a check or by credit card on the SECURE donation page on our website. All proceeds go toward support of our operating costs, from the housing to the logistics of our mission of warming the heart of every child in the foster care system. You can make a one-time gift of any amount or a recurring donation. Every $20 donation sponsors one fleece blanket for someone else to make. Donate
"No-Sew" Fleece Blanket Kits
Can I make a blanket if I don't know how to sew, knit or crochet? Yes, you can still create a lasting gift for a child in foster care. We offer blanket kits ($12 each if you will pick up, $15 if we ship to you) that allow anyone to get involved and make a blanket in about an hour.
Each kit includes step-by-step instructions on how to make and personalize a "no-sew" blanket as well as all of the blanket materials prepped and ready. All you need is a pair of scissors.
Each blanket kit includes: • 1.5 yards of patterned fleece to make one blanket • "No-sew" blanket instructions • Fringe cutting template • Special tag attached to the blanket to send a message of love and encouragement with every blanket you donate IDEAS FOR NOTES TO WRITE ON YOUR TAGS (PDF)
Please keep in mind that you are creating a lasting gift for a child in foster care. The photos below illustrate (left) a blanket kit ready to be fringed and tied and (right) a completed blanket with several problems that we ask Blanket Angels to avoid:
fringe cut on all four blanket sides, resulting in...
fringe cut into the pre-attached tag
fringe pieces that are tied together, resulting in a blanket that will not lie flat
If you cut fringe only on the 2 edges where the sample fringe are cut, you will not cut into the pre-attached tag.
Blanket kit ready to be fringed and tied on 2 opposite sides
A finished blanket with several problems that we ask Blanket Angels to avoid
What does it mean to sponsor a blanket? You can sponsor a blanket that someone else will make with a donation of $20/blanket kit. Blankets are taken to assisted living facilities for seniors to make and to adult day care centers, helping them feel valued and comforted. The donation covers the cost of kit materials plus the extra packing and handling required to provide kits for these special Blanket Angels.
You can make a blanket yourself for a donation of $12 for one blanket kit to be picked up or $15 if we ship the kit to you. Each kit makes one “no-sew” fleece blanket. Your donation helps to pay for the fabric, for us to make and give out the special tags and helps cover other expenses involved in our mission and ministry. The blanket can be for you or your group of family, friends or colleagues to make.
How do I order a blanket kit? You can order a blanket kit three different ways:
Send order request by email (info@myveryownblanket.org) and pay with check, cash or credit card at the time of pick up.
Visit our workshop during our business hours (M - F, 9 am - Noon) to pick out and pay for your kits (for more than 20 kits, we appreciate advance notice so we can get your kits ready before you arrive).
How do I pick up a blanket kit? Once you have placed a blanket kit order, you can pick up your kit(s) any time during regular workshop hours, Monday – Friday, 9 am to Noon, at 407 W. Main St., Westerville, Ohio 43081. If you wish, you can also schedule a specific pickup time during those hours when you order online. If you have ordered more than 20 kits, please let us know when you want to pick them up. You can choose a date/time during the online order process or let us know by email (info@myveryownblanket.org), and we will get all the materials ready for you!
How do I receive kits if I live out of the Central Ohio area? We can ship blanket kits to you if you cannot pick them up. Order a kit to be shipped here. Blanket kits are shipped free of charge thanks to the generosity of our shipping partners, United Health Care Community Plan.
When & where can I drop off finished blankets? We are open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon; (holiday closure schedule) you can stop by and bring your blankets inside any time we are open. There is no need to let us know you are coming. If those hours are not convenient, you can also drop blankets off at any time in one of the bins outside our workshop at 407 W. Main St., Westerville. We bring the blankets inside every weekday morning.
Delivering blankets to a foster care agency near you If you do not live near our workshop, we encourage you to donate your blankets directly to an agency in your area that helps children in foster care. We have made contact with at least one agency in each state in the U.S. Read more Click for AGENCY LIST and suggestions for making contact with other agencies in your area.
What are the special tags? We created special tags for blanket angels to write their own first name (and a brief positive message) on the tag, showing the child who receives the blanket that someone did indeed make this just for them! You can see some examples below.
Blanket Angels, be sure to write your name on the SECOND line on the tag and your message on the THIRD line and, if you need more space, at the bottom of the tag. Please leave the TOP line blank so there is room for the child who receives the blanket to write their name. Thanks!
If you are able to sew on the tags, they are sewn on a corner of the back of the blanket as shown in the photo. You can use a running zigzag stitch or a straight stitch. In our workshop, we use invisible thread in the bobbin and white on top so that thread doesn't have to be changed to match different blankets. However, you can use whatever color thread is appropriate. We also have volunteers in our workshop who attach tags to completed blankets. Just tuck the completed tag into the finished folded blanket, and we'll take it from there!
Delivering blankets to children in foster care
Where are blankets delivered? We send blankets to our partners in State Child Protective Services and private agencies providing a home and safety to children in foster care. Social workers distribute the blankets to children who are removed from their homes.
We also partner with My Comfy Kits (a program of Orphan World Relief), Comfort Cases, My Stuff Bags and Stitched Together. These non-profit organizations provide children and youth in foster children with backpacks or duffel bags filled with personal care items, books or toys, clothing – and our blanket. These bags are often the only possessions a foster child owns and can keep on their journey through the foster care system.
Blankets are often made by volunteers in states other than Ohio, and we send them our special tags. These can be individual blanket angels, groups or organizations. These volunteers connect with Child Protective Service agencies in their areas and donate the blankets directly to them.
Blanket Angel Diane is pictured donating blankets made by her group to Youth Emerging Stronger in Los Angeles. If you do not live near our workshop, we encourage you to donate your blankets directly to an agency in your area that helps children in foster care. We have made contact with at least one agency in each state in the U.S. Check out our DELIVERING BLANKETS AGENCY LIST to find an agency near you.
If you do not find a location from our list that is near you, please try the link below to the National Foster Care and Adoption Directory search engine. To search for agencies in your state:
You could also contribute by taking a little time to help us find a local children’s services organization, as you are more familiar with your area. When we are looking for an agency in an area we aren't familiar with, we “Google” foster care in the county where you live and then do a little research on their website to find contact information.
You can then reach out to them, ask to speak to a caseworker and let them know you have partnered with our charity to support them in the work they do by donating blankets they can give to the children in foster care.
It may be helpful to let them know that the new handmade blankets do not cost anything, and they do not have to fill out any paperwork. Caseworkers often think there is a “catch” to our kindness!
If you could take that step, you would be helping us expand our network of children's services agencies all over the U.S.
NOTE: IF YOU FIND AN AGENCY IN YOUR AREA THAT CAN USE YOUR BLANKETS, PLEASE SEND US THEIR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, CONTACT PERSON AND EMAIL so we can add it to our list for others to use. Thank you so much!
We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for helping us bring love to children in foster care in your area who so much need to see and feel loved! We are so grateful for your help!
Blanket-making events
I am interested in hosting a blanket-making event. What do I need to know?
A blanket-making event is a great way to get families, friends, work colleagues, social groups, Scout troops – just about any group – involved together making our “no-sew” fleece blankets, no matter where you live.
If you live within 30 miles of Westerville, Ohio . . . We offer in our workshop all the supplies needed to complete your blankets. We have fleece in numerous colors, styles and different prints (all age appropriate) for only $12 for each blanket. You can choose your own fleece, or we can pre-select a variety for you.
Each fleece kit includes the material ready to cut and fringe, the fringe cutting template, sample fringe cut on 2 sides, the special tag (already attached) ensuring the blanket will stay with the child when they move from placement to placement, the packaging and shipping we provide so that blankets reach children in foster care and the opportunity to be a part of our ministry. Everything will be ready for you to pick up so that you are in and out of the Blanket Workshop, ready for your blanket making party, in less than 15 minutes. Below is our graphic illustrating the process.
If you live more than 30 miles from Westerville, Ohio
The blanket-making event process is a little different if you don't live within driving distance of our workshop.
You can order from our website fleece blanket kits that include all the supplies needed to complete your blankets. We have fleece in numerous colors, styles and different prints (all age appropriate) for only $15 for each blanket. Just tell us how many blankets you want to make, and we will select a variety of fleece for you.
Each fleece kit includes the material ready to cut and fringe, the fringe cutting template, sample fringe already cut on 2 sides, the special tag (already attached), ensuring the blanket will stay with the child when they move from placement to placement, the packaging and shipping we provide so that blankets reach children in foster care and the opportunity to be a part of our ministry.
Your blanket kits will be shipped to you at no additional cost to you thanks to the generosity of our corporate partner, United Health Care Community Plan.
Rather than shipping your completed blankets to us, we encourage you to donate them to a children's service or foster care agency in your area. Check out our Delivering Blankets page for suggestions and a list of agencies in each state.
Do you have promotional material or videos I can show to my group?
My TEDx talk is just under 5 minutes and tells one way how a child comes into care through the school system and the next part shares how I founded MVOB 19 years ago! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fy5xJ4FdXs
The Story of My Very Own Blanket. This is a great way to introduce volunteers to MVOB. The video (about 6 minutes) shows how MVOB started, why we do what we do, and the many ways that volunteers get involved. (No sound but lots of great photos)
My group/family would like to schedule a time to come to your workshop and make some blankets. When can we do that?
We welcome volunteers Monday thru Friday mornings, 9:00 to Noon. If you have more than 5 people in your group, it’s best to call (614) 530-3327 to let us know you’re coming so we’re sure to have room for you to work.
I have photos of our group making blankets. Can you use them? Yes, we would love to share them. We like to post photos on Facebook to thank our blanket angels for your donation. Please be aware that by sharing your photos with us you are giving your permission to use them on Facebook, our website, newsletter or in other promotional material. Individuals will be identified by first name only, if available. Please send photos to socialmedia@myveryownblanket.org.
Other ways to get involved
I can’t make blankets right now. Can I get involved in other fundraising ways?
Yes. Although MVOB relies almost entirely on volunteers to carry out our mission, we do have operating expenses that must be covered. Financial donations are vital to meeting these costs. You can contribute in a number of ways.
Quilt shows. Each year, we sponsor a show of beautiful handmade quilts donated by our Blanket Angels. After an absence of 3 years, we are returning in October 2023 with a show at the Westerville Community Center. Details and photos will be posted here closer to the date. Join our mailing list to receive news of upcoming events in our newsletters.
Make a Donation. You can make a donation by sending a check or by credit card on our website. A gift can be as modest as $20 to sponsor one blanket, a one-time gift of any amount, or a recurring donation. Donate here. These blankets will get into the hands of our senior generation in assisted living facilities or a disabled adult at an adult day care.
Coins for Kids in Care Bags. An easy way to make a big difference is our Coins for Kids in Care bags. We offer zip-top bags like the one pictured for just $.15 each. You, your children, social group, co-workers or classmates can collect spare change that you can donate to MVOB. Purchase bags here
Give While You Shop Kroger Community Rewards. You can earn donations for My Very Own Blanket just by shopping at Kroger using your Plus Card. Learn how to enroll here. MVOB account number: CG546.
Employer Programs Businesses and corporations offer employee programs to community non-profits when their employees donate funds or volunteer time. Check with your employer to see if you can participate!
Kohl's employees volunteer their time in our workshop, and Kohls donates funds to MVOB for each hour they work.