The mission of the Give Like CJ Project is to spark kindness and encourage kids to show empathy for those dealing with difficult situations. While helping others, participants will be nurturing their own mental health as evidence shows that helping others can also benefit the mental health and wellbeing of the giver. Participants will receive a DIY blanket kit, in which they will be able to make a special, custom blanket to share with someone they know or even a stranger who is in need of comfort. All participants will convene for a virtual party to connect with other you and share their giving story. Participants will be required to submit a short video that tells what giving means to them.

Updates from Give like CJ Blanket Kit & Virtual Party

January, 2022
I am excited to kick off the “Give Like CJ” Blanket Kit Project & Virtual Party. The purpose of this project is to spark kindness and encourage kids to show empathy for those dealing with difficult situations like illness, grief, loss, homelessness, or any other kind of trauma. While helping others, kids will be nurturing their mental health because evidence shows that helping others can also benefit the mental health and wellbeing of the giver.

I know this firsthand because when I was five years old, my mom experienced a pregnancy loss. To help me feel better, she encouraged me to find something that I wanted to give to others to make them feel better. Turns out, it made me feel good too, so I kept doing it. I loved blankets, so that’s what I chose to give, but you can share anything, even something as simple as a smile or writing a kind note. Blankets give you a sense of comfort and security, like a hug, and I believe everyone should get hugs and feel loved, especially kids. It was the perfect fit for me.

Participants in the “Give Like CJ” project will receive a DIY blanket kit, in which they will be able to make a unique, custom blanket to share with someone they know or even a stranger who might need comfort. The blanket kits include two pieces of pre-cut fabric and instructions for completing the blanket. It took us a while to get all of the material purchased, paired up and cut.

Once blankets are completed within the timeline provided, a virtual event on December 11, 2021, will allow participants to connect with other kids and share their giving stories. The final piece would require participants to submit a short video explaining why kindness is important to them.

I hope to recruit up to 50 kids around my local community and the country to participate in this pilot project in the first phase. So far, I have about 20 kids signed up. I plan to start shipping the kits at the beginning of November to give the kids at least four weeks to complete the blankets, find a home for them and do their video.

If all goes well, my goal is to host this event at least twice a year to get more and more kids engaged in helping others. You can visit my website to sign up to participate at https://blankies4mybuddies.org/events/.