2004 – Blanket Orange County was started by a group of business women who participated in The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Women’s Roundtable. That first year, they gathered 57 blankets which were given to The Freedom House Recovery Center, Orange House & Ronald McDonald House.

2005 – 100 blankets were gathered and given to The Community House (homeless shelter for men), Homestart (shelter for homeless women and children) and the Family Violence Prevention Center.

Pictured above are a few Roundtable participants who helped in early years of project (from left to right): Barbara Jessie-Black, Pam Herndon, Kimberly Sparling Meunier, Julie Lentz, Wendy Tanson, Judith Bergman, Kari Andrade, Kathryn Kubiak, Kim Piracci, Jan Bolick, Elizabeth Trinkhaus

2006 – 200 blankets were gathered and given to The IFC for The Community House (homeless shelter for men), Homestart (shelter for homeless women and children); The Ronald McDonald House & The Animal Shelter.

2007 – 115 blankets were gathered and given to The SECU Family House, IFC ( split between Community House and Homestart), Ronald McDonald and the Animal Shelter.

A few of the Women’s Business Roundtable participants who helped with the project in 2007:
Left to right, back row: Kim Piracci, Wendy Tanson, Pam Herndon,
Janice Mrkonjic, Brenda Ruffin, Diane McIntee, Barbara Jessie-Black, Debi Sugar.
Front Row: Toby Helmstetter, Del Mattioli, Marcia Corprew,
Judith Bergman, Carol Barrow, Jan Bolick

2008 – 100 blankets were gathered and given to The IFC ( split between Community House and Homestart).

The Women’s Roundtable chose to support a different holiday project going forward,  Jan Bolick chose to keep the project going with support and sponsorship of her company, Business Class.

2009 – 366 blankets were collected….20% more than the goal of 300. 300 blankets were given to The IFC ( split between Community House and Homestart). Another 30 were given to individuals who live in outdoor camps. The remainder were given to Ronald McDonald House and to several families who lost all their belongings in home fires.

Stephanie Knutson, a Junior at UNC prepares a load of blankets for delivery

2010 – 550 blankets were collected…37% more than the goal of 400.  Blankets were given to The IFC (325), The Neighbor House of Hillsborough (50)and The Maggie Alvis Halfway House (13).    Blankets were also delivered to senior citizens (25), to individuals who live in outdoor camps(50) and to the Chapel Hill Police Department for trauma victims (100).

Carly Elliott, a Senior at UNC, picks up blankets at YMCA

2011 – 390 (goal was 300) were collected for the  The IFC.  Blankets were also delivered to the Chapel Hill Police Department for trauma victims (25).  See list of sponsors and volunteers here.

2012 – 320 (goal was 300) were collected for the  The IFC.    See list of sponsors and volunteers here.

2013 – 340 (goal was 300) were collected for the  The IFC.    See list of sponsors and volunteers here.

2014 – 150 blankets were delivered to the IFC.

2015 – 352 blankets were collected for distribution by The IFC.  Blankets were also delivered to the Chapel Hill Police Department for trauma victims. (100).  See list of sponsors and volunteers here.

2016 – 175 blankets were collected for distribution by The IFC.   See list of sponsors and volunteers here.

2017 – 200 blankets were collected for distribution by The IFC.   See list of sponsors and volunteers here.

2018 – 150 blankets were collected for distribution by The IFC.  See list of sponsors and volunteers here.

2019 – 150 blankets were collected for distribution by The IFC.  See list of sponsors and volunteers here.

Between 2004 and 2019, a grand total of 3,715 blankets were collected and delivered!

2020 –  Due to Covid-19, it is not safe collect and deliver blankets from around the community, but the need may be even greater!  In order to help with this, we are asking for financial donations to go to the Interfaith Council.  If designated to Blanket Orange County, your donation will be used to purchase blankets and deliver them to those in need.  Click on the link below, enter the dollar amount you would like to give, and in the drop-down menu for “Gift Designation”, click on “Blanket Orange County”.  Donate here.  Thank you!