Jessica Rudolph
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​The Birth of My Very Own Blanket
​While watching her three young children snuggle with their blankets at bedtime, Jessica realized that she needed to find another child to receive the new blanket she was knitting.  She decided to give it to a child living in foster care.  On that night in 1999, the idea behind My Very Own Blanket was born.

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Jessica recruited friends and family and, soon, total strangers to make blankets for children in foster care.  Over the years, this network of "Blanket Angels" has grown, creating and donating handmade blankets for thousands upon  thousands of children, living in Central Ohio and far beyond. 
​Blankets are made and donated in nearly every state in the U.S.  Each one bears the MVOB special tag, with spaces for the maker's name, the child's name, and a note written by the blanket-maker.  
In 2022, Blanket Angels exceeded our goal by donating handmade blankets for 39,000+ children in foster care. We began 2023 with a goal of 35,000.  Blankets are donated to public and private agencies that care for children in foster care. 

Honors and Recognitions
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• Member of the @beapointoflight 2022 Inspiration Honor Roll, celebrating individuals who have inspired through the year and have demonstrated a commitment to create change. 

                           https://www.pointsoflight.org/inspiration-honor-roll/2022-2/?honoree-anchor=jessica-rudolph

• ​Kindness Award from Out and About in Westerville and Neighbor2Neighbor Westerville, presented by Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi, December 2021 
• Certificate of Commendation from the State of Ohio & Jon Husted, December 2017
• 2014 Advocate Award from Franklin County Children Servises and the Citizens Advisory Committee
• Role Model, 2014 from Role Model Magazine, Amazing and courageous women and girls leading change around the world
• City of Westerville and the Westerville Fire Division Hometown Hero, Friday, February 25th, 2010
• Sunny 95 “20 Outstanding Women You Should Know” Inaugural Event, February 29, 2008