Loretta Ballenger, 1926 - 2021
By Jessica Rudolph
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Here is the obituary for a very dear and longtime Blanket Angel who is now our Heavenly Blanket Angel!  
https://www.shaw-davis.com/obituary/Loretta-Ballenger

​I first met Loretta standing in line at the Post Office.  I talked to her about MVOB and how I got started.  I saw her next at a blanket making event I was leading at my children’s elementary school.  I asked her if she had grandchildren who went to the school and she said “No, I was just so inspired with what you told me about the mission of the organization, when I saw this event in the paper, I wanted to come and be a part of it.”

​She volunteered for years with us every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am - 3 pm, sandwiching blankets in our little Blanket Workshop, helping with speaking events, training new volunteers, helping run our many Blanket Workshops as we moved from different locations, sorting & organizing fabric, sewing tops and finishing blankets at home, among so many other ways she gave of her time, talents and treasures!
​Obituary​

JPMorgan Chase branches in Houston and San Antonio, Texas recently sponsored a blanket-making event for employees. JPMC purchased our no-sew fleece blanket kits, paid for shipping to employees' homes. Their employees responded by making 250 blankets for children in foster care in their areas.

We recently heard from one of these blanket angels who sent us this photo and story that we want to share with you:

I was able to donate my (2) blankets to a local friend who recently started doing foster care. She just received a new foster child on Thursday last week and said the girl came with nothing but over-sized boy clothes and shoes.

​I am so glad I was able to deliver this blanket to her on Saturday while she was shopping for her. She said the little girl was THRILLED to get her OWN blanket!! She sent me this pic of the foster child holding the blanket, and even though we can’t see it, the foster mom said she was smiling ear to ear! 

This is why we do what we do.  This is why your support is essential.  Even though we rarely see these young people with their new blankets, this photo reminds us that a small gift of a blanket can make a big difference to a child in crisis who has lost so much.  Thank you for supporting our mission.