My Very Own Blanket
From 2014-2019, my husband and I (Tiffany) fostered 14 children from the ages of 2 days-5 years old. Children often come into care with very little clothing and personal items. Every possession is precious to them. It's a difficult time in their young lives filled with tumultuous circumstances, unfamiliar surroundings, transitions and adjustments which makes comfort items all the more important. Having something soft and warm to cuddle up with can make all the difference, especially if it is their very own and can go with them from one place to the next.
Their Mission
My Very Own Blanket is dedicated to warming the heart of every child and teen​in the foster care system and in need with a handmade quilt or blanket,giving them a feeling of comfort, security and most of all, a SMILE.
Globally we connect diverse people, community groups, businesses and services through this volunteer opportunity and ministry with a gift that is comforting & familiar and youth in foster care can take with them from one home to another. Handmade quilts & blankets are created through the loving care of “Blanket Angel” volunteers and donated locally! Thousands of blankets are donated each year and personalized with the child's name, a tradition for My Very Own Blanket since 1999.
Their Vision
My Very Own Blanket is committed to putting a blanket in the hands of every youth entering foster care each year. Beyond providing comfort, we strive to strengthen communities by raising awareness and offering connections with essential support services. Through our mission, we aim to bring warmth, stability and opportunity to those who need it most.
​If you can knit or crochet, you can support My Very Own Blanket by creating blankets from colorful, soft yarn.
We accept new yarn blankets that are knitted or crocheted from machine washable/dryable yarn. 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.
Thanks to Liz B., Montgomery, Ohio, for these blankets.
My Very Own Blanket's Story and Blanket Guidelines
The videos on this page are from the My Very Own Blanket Website. We hope you enjoy the stories in these videos. Please follow their guidelines for the blankets and special labels.
The Story of My Very Own Blanket. The video (about 6 minutes) shows how MVOB started, why we do what we do, and the many ways that volunteers get involved.
Insight into What it is Like Being Taken Away. This is why they do what they do. Every Blanket is important.
Vivian O. in Ontario, Canada, sent us this photo of her blankets. They were picked up by a local Children’s Aid Society worker and delivered to children in the Belleville, Ontario area before Christmas 2023.
Blanket Sizes and Appearance
Our blankets are given to children and youth of all ages -- infants up to teenage youth. Approximate dimensions for knitted or crocheted blankets: 36” x 36” (small), 40” x 50-60” (medium), 60” x 80” (large). These measurements are suggestions and can vary.
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.
​You do not need to wash your completed blankets before donating them unless they have come in contact with pet hair or were made in an environment where someone smokes.
Special tags – you can order our special tags online, to be picked up from our workshop or shipped if you live more than 30 miles from Westerville. You can attach them to the blankets, and they will be ready for you to donate to children in foster care in your area! It’s simple to do.
​
Here’s how:
Leave the FIRST line BLANK. Sign your first name with permanent marker on the SECOND line of our special tag after the heart that says “Handmade by.” On the THIRD line, we encourage you to add a message to the child. This will show the child in foster care who receives your blanket that someone truly made this “just for them!” To sew the tag on the blanket: ​The tags are sewn on the back of the blanket, near a corner, at least 3” from both edges.You can use a straight or zigzag stitch, sewing ¼ - ½” in from all four edges of the tag. You can use white thread or thread that coordinates with the blanket color.​A NOTE ABOUT YARN BLANKETS. Sewing a tag on a yarn blanket is a little more difficult than other types of blankets. Tags can be attached to some yarn blankets with a sewing machine. You will need to sew more slowly, and the tag does not lie perfectly flat. You can also sew the tag on by hand if that gives a better result. Either method is fine.
How to attach the Special Label to the blankets.
What is an exceptional blanket?
​We want to provide lasting gifts for children in foster care, and we encourage our Blanket Angels to create blankets that they would be proud to give to children they love. To do that, we compare each donated blanket against this 1 - 4 quality checklist.
1. Blankets ready to be put into a child’s hands have these qualities:
All blankets: quilts, knitted/crocheted, "no-sew" fleece
> The blanket is NEW and clean, free of pet hair and strong odors.
> Special tag is sewn on the back near a corner.
> Special tag is filled out correctly:
“This belongs to” is BLANK.
“Handmade by” is your first name printed.
“My special note to you” is your short, uplifting note to the child.
> Fringed & tied fleece blankets lie flat; the sides do not bunch up.
> BONUS: the blanket is folded neatly with the special tag on the outside.
You provided your own yarn/fabric:
> Your blanket is 36” x 36” minimum.
​
2. These blankets need a small fix that we can easily/quickly do in the workshop, such as a tag sewn on or completed.
3. These blankets need a bit more TLC. Our Blanket Angel volunteers take these blankets home to make repairs such as fixing fringe incorrectly cut and/or tied.
4. A few blankets can’t be given to children, such as those made with very thin fleece or those with cutting and tying problems that are not fixable.