Big Blanket Project brings woolly warmth to those in need
From a handful of friends, an organisation has grown into a group of volunteers making hundreds of handmade donations.
A group of friends in Pretoria East turned a simple idea into a huge project to keep those in need warm during the cold months.
The registered non-profit organisation The Big Blanket Project was started in March 2022 and has since grown into a beacon of hope and warmth.
The project has grown into a dedicated network of mostly retired volunteers who bring their own wool to make warm items for homeless shelters, hospices, old age homes and orphanages.
As winter approaches, they are currently knitting for Charisma School in Mamelodi, which provides after-care services to children.
Image: Supplied
Big Blanket spokesperson Carol Bunn said they knitted 36 blankets for Phyllis Robertson Home last month.
“It took us about three months to complete.”
In addition to blankets, the group also donates beanies and other warm clothing.
Tshwane Youth Development Centre and Sungardens Hospice in Lynnwood have been recent beneficiaries.
Bunn explained their creations are made from individual knitted or crocheted squares, which are carefully stitched together by hand.
She added that their most rewarding moments come when they see people’s faces light up while receiving the items.
“The numbers don’t matter. What matters is knowing that the people who receive the blankets truly value them.”
The idea for the project was born in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic when Bunn and a few friends felt inspired to do something positive for the community.
“We appealed to anyone who had old blankets or wanted to help knit new ones,” she said.
“We started with about 18 ladies, and now we have 28 women and one man in the group.”
Most volunteers buy their own wool, although the group also relies on donated yarn and squares.
Image: Supplied
All members are volunteers and meet every Monday morning at the Pretoria High School Old Boys Club in Lynnwood to knit, crochet and share ideas.
Some contributors don’t attend the weekly meetings but still donate completed squares, finished blankets or warm clothing.
According to Bunn, one of their volunteers donated more than 2 000 crocheted squares, which other members have sewn into blankets.
She said the group faces very few challenges, thanks to the strong support and camaraderie among members.
“The ladies always help each other,” she said. Before donating to any organisation, members personally visit the site to ensure the items will go to the right people.
“We meet the owners of each organisation before we donate,” she explained. “We want to make sure it’s well run and that the people there are truly in need.”
Image: Supplied
To date, the group has made over 800 blankets, 750 beanies, 80 bed jackets, 170 teddies, 105 pairs of bed socks and 147 scarves.
Other handmade items include mittens, hot water bottle covers, baby jerseys, bootees and wheelchair bags.
Among the list of recipients are Silversig Old Age Home, Sizanani Home for People with Disabilities, Waggabietjie Old Age Home, Tshwane Leadership Foundation, Starfish Babies and Weskoppies.
They’ve also supported families who lost their homes to natural disasters.
Bunn recalled one heartfelt moment involving a man at a hospice who was waiting to see his wife.
He was shivering in the cold, and the nurses gave him a blanket.
“When his wife came out, he wanted to return it, but they told him it was his to keep,” she said.
“He was so touched that even though they were going through such a difficult time, someone thought of him.”
The Big Blanket Project hopes to expand into other retirement communities.
“The greatest need is for wool, or funds to buy wool,” Bunn said.
She said donated blankets are also welcome.
“Collection boxes for donations are available at Hazelwood Food Market and Cash Converters at Gift Acres, where the public can drop off wool, squares or finished items.”
Khensani Masilela from the Tshwane Youth Development Centre said they were thrilled to receive the donations.
“Now that winter is approaching, the blankets will help keep our people warm,” she said.
“We are so grateful for the support. It really makes a difference in our community.”
Masilela added that they run three projects, and some items went to their hospice and a mental health hospital.
“We also donated beanies and hoodies to the crèche we support, called Nkululeko.”
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