Blankets for Kids!

Giving homeless children a

warm blanket this Winter

.

Our project
We decided to do something for children who are not fortunate enough to have a place they call home or even something they can call their own, like the comfort of a warm blanket. This winter we hope to provide EVERY HOMELESS CHILD IN THE BAY AREA a warm blanket made (or purchased) especially for them to help comfort them during crisis and protect them from the harsh realities of life.

Why?
Of the 20,000 people who experience homelessness annually in the Bay Area (and growing), 25% are under the age of 18. The children who walk through the doors of a shelter are often stressed beyond their years, having experienced what no one, regardless of age, should ever have to. To them, childhood consists of living to survive rather than to laugh, learn, wiggle, and dance.

Our Goal
As of September 2008 there are 215 homeless children and babies living in just one of the 26 Santa Clara county shelters. With your help we hope to provide enough blankets for each child. Something special made or purchased especially for them. That’s 215 blankets!

.

UPDATE 12/19: We dropped off 75 blankets on the 18th but need a lot more! There are 215 homeless children at James Boccardo shelter alone, and this Christmas we hope that every one of them will get a special blanket just for them. Please get involved and help make this Holiday a little warmer.
UPDATE 12/22: We have commitments of over 300 blankets!!! and are reaching out to other shelters to put a smile on the face of as many homeless children as possible. (please see the Drop Offs & Shelters page).
UPDATE 12/23: On the 23rd I received a message from Sen. John Burton who made a very generous donation and in fact we met with the Director of John's foundation; Diane Matsuda and together we cleaned out an entire stores inventory of Fleece blankets!!! We're not stopping with just one shelter and we're not stopping after Christmas or at the end of the Holidays. We're not stopping until every homeless child in the bay area can feel the warmth and comfort of their very own blanket. And by the way, we probably wont stop then! Please check the Drop offs & Shelters page as we are adding more shelters and a progress tracker for each location. Oh, and Please pass us on to everyone you care about because we cant do it alone, but just look at what we can do together...
UPDATE 12/24: On the night before Christmas (and all day) another 323 blankets (and hand made scarves) were given to homeless children (and James) in the Bay Area. From San Jose to Menlo Park, to Redwood City and then to Daly City, and accross the bay to Richmond, Berkeley, and Fremont; WE ALL helped make Homeless children's Christmas a little better. And we're not stopping with Christmas... Please continue to spread the word about blankets for kids! It's going to be a cold harsh winter and the economy is showing no signs of getting better. I am personally dedicated to giving kids something they can call their own, that offers warmth and comfort through diffcult times.

There are 3 ways you can get involved.

1) Make (or purchase) a blanket:
Click the link to the right for easy step-by-step instructions for how to make a blanket. There is NO SEWING involved. If you can cut a straight line and tie a knot you can make the blanket and it only takes about an hour. (Please see instructions page for more drop off locations)

2) Monetary donation: If you would like to donate, we will purchase the materials and make the blanket on your behalf or provide the materials to someone who will make the blanket from both of you. One blanket is approximately $13.00. If you decide to donate, please Email Us and tell us your story.

3) Don’t have time to buy the materials?:
We will bring everything to you or a location close to you with step-by-step instructions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------