‘I Wanted To Do More'—11-Year-Old Makes Blankets For Kids In Need

Oct 08, 2020

Lucy Blaylock, 11, from Gallatin, Tennessee, has made more than 375 hand-sewn “Love Blankets” for children around the world who need "a little bit of extra love."

Lucy Blaylock, 11, of Gallatin, Tennessee is a fifth-grader at Union Elementary School. She is the owner of "Lucy’s Love Blankets," a non-profit organization that makes and gives blankets to children in need. With mom Victoria’s assistance, Lucy asks people who visit her Instagram account to nominate a child who could benefit from one of her Love Blankets.

“People nominate children for many different reasons,” she said. “Some are sick, have disabilities, have lost a parent or a sibling, are being bullied, or are lonely.”

When Lucy gets a nomination, she familiarizes herself with the child’s story and picks just the right fabric for his or her blanket, sews the pieces together, stitches on a little heart, and then sends it off.

After learning to sew, Lucy made a blanket for a friend for her birthday. It made her feel so good when she delivered the gift, she said, “I thought it would be nice to give more kids blankets that would help them feel loved.”

Lucy told Love What Matters about the first blanket she and her mom ever made, saying: "I still remember the very first blanket we made. It went to a little girl named Marley, who was autistic and had been bullied in school. Her blanket had unicorns all over it and I was so excited to send it." She added: "After I got home from giving her the blanket, I decided I wanted to do more."

She continued, "I even used some of my own money to buy a little necklace to send with it. Her mom still keeps in touch with us and lets us know how she’s doing." Lucy, who has hand-sewn more than 375 blankets, sometimes gets help with the sewing from family members and other young people.

People have donated money to help Lucy purchase materials and pay for shipping. The blankets have also been shipped to kids in more than 13 countries but she also delivers some locally, including to students at her school.

“It makes me happy to do something to make someone else feel happy and loved,” she said. “I think if we could all think of things we can do to be kind, the world would be a better place.”

You can support Lucy by donating or simply passing this story along to your loved ones to help raise awareness!