For my senior service project, I want to partner with Children's Toy Fund to provide blanket bundles to foster kids in Stark County. Watch the video above to find out more!

I have made a lot of progress for my senior service project. I contacted the organization, Children's Toy Fund, to inquire about working with them to complete my project. I got in contact with Ashley Natale, the Executive Director of Children's Toy Fund, and she helped me plan out my project. She explained to me the process of making blanket bundles and gave me advice on how to help the organization. I decided to collect fleece for the organization, and I am going to ask JAGS students and families to help out and donate. Then, I will help organize a blanket bundle making event at the school in the Spring.

On November 15, 2021, I started collecting fleece to use to make tie blankets for foster kids. I had no idea what the outcome would be or if people would even donate. Over the next months, I spoke at JAGS community meetings and sent out reminders to encourage people to donate. I also planned a blanket making event and scheduled a date, time, and location for it. In the end, I collected 124 yards of fleece- enough to make 31 blanket bundles!

On March 4, 2022, a group of students and I met in the Jackson High School commons and made all 124 yards of fleece into 31 blanket bundles. Within the next few weeks, Children's Toy Fund dropped off the bundles to Pathway Caring for Children and Project KARE to be given to kids in foster care. This project turned out better than I could have ever imagined, and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to complete it. I was able to do something that I am passionate about, bring joy to foster kids' lives, and learn along the way!

I am so thankful for the support I had from Ms Stone, Ashley Natale and the staff at Children's Toy Fund, the JAGS community, my parents, and everyone who donated fleece and helped make the blanket bundles. I could not have done this project without them.