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About the time I was entering middle school, my family went through a particularly rough time. Seeing our need, kind strangers made and gifted four beautiful blankets to our family - one for me and each of my siblings. I cherished that blanket and the love I felt from the generous and thoughtful stranger who had taken the time to make it. Red and white gingham with hearts and a navy backing worn to shreds from years of comfort - it is one of the sweetest gifts I've ever received.
Little Lambs of Utah is a new foundation with a mission to provide just a little bit of comfort to children who are transitioning through foster care or who are hospitalized. Founder Ted Chalfant grew up in a home where no matter how tough things were, his mother was always finding ways to help others. As a child, having foster children in the home was a normal part of his life, so looking to the needs of those in foster care was a natural fit as he and his wife and daughter started the Little Lambs foundation.
Already Little Lambs of Utah has provided comfort kits to children in foster care throughout Cache County and Box Elder County, and they will soon be expanding to other counties as well. They also equipped more than 70 children in need with school supplies to help them begin the new school year with confidence. While their focus is on children who are in foster care or hospitalized, they have already had requests for other specific needs and with the supplies they've received they have been able to respond and help.
Each comfort kit from Little Lambs is packaged in a hand sewn tote and contains a blanket, a book, a soft toy, socks, toothbrush/paste, a pair of flip flops, and a busy toy like crayons & coloring book, matchbox cars, etc. The foundation is looking for volunteers - youth groups, families or individuals to help in making or gathering these items for additional comfort kits. Plans for the coming months also include hosting a blanket drive as well as gathering much needed baby items.
I can remember so clearly how wonderful it felt to be given that blanket so many years ago and to have something so special that was
just mine. In learning about this new foundation, I'm excited to pull out my sewing machine and start putting together some totes or blankets to send off. What a great opportunity to provide just a little help to these children!
For more information on specific needs and for donation drop-off information, visit the
Little Lambs of Utah blog, or check out
their listing with the Volunteer Center.
