On February 7th, over 80 members of the Lovejoy community came together to benefit the Joyful Foundation, a non-profit organization that organizes volunteers to make blankets to be given as a gift to those receiving long term treatment during time of illness.  The day was organized by three different churches and blankets were delivered to area hospitals in time for Valentine\'s Day.  Read on for more information about this great day and the Joyful Foundation.

Joyful Foundation Community Event

Provides Blankets for Others

Fleece fabric was laid out on tables, people were pinning and stitching, and sewing machines were humming as volunteers met at Friendship Baptist Church in Fairview on Saturday, February 7^th to benefit the Joyful Foundation.

“The Joyful Foundation is a Not-for-Profit organization that supplies quality hand-made blankets as a gift of comfort and warmth to individuals in their time of illness and hardship during long term treatment. Volunteers send donations and donate their time to cut, sew, launder, and deliver blankets. Each blanket is then cleaned and wrapped as a gift to the patients.”

Based in California, the Joyful Foundation was started by Sandy Berg-Whiley who receives treatments for a chronic illness. She found comfort with her visits to the hospital from a fleece blanket that her mother made for her. Recognizing others who were going through similar circumstances could benefit from a blanket like hers, she began the journey of establishing the Joyful Foundation.

Allen resident Jenn Meldrum, who became involved with the Joyful Foundation while living in California, is now the Dallas Chapter Coordinator for the foundation and in the last year has directed 4 events, small and large. Meldrum said, “It is so rewarding being part of a service organization that brings people together to give a little comfort to others going through a particularly difficult time in their life. This event brought many people from the community together working side by side for our neighbors in need.”

Friendship Baptist Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Creekwood United Methodist Church teamed together to host this Fairview/Lucas community service opportunity open for anyone to attend. Any time people could give on a busy Saturday was appreciated. Organizers were absolutely thrilled to have over 80 volunteers walk through the doors.

Many brought their sewing machines, but being a seamstress was not a criterion to help. Men helped pin fabric together and cut ribbon, while young girls helped keep the stock of pins flowing, moved blankets from one station to the next, and performed quality control checks. Women enjoyed visiting with their friends and neighbors and met new friends as they pinned or hand stitched the blankets before going to the final sewing station. Others contributed by making generous donations to the foundation and taking home blankets to be laundered before delivery. Donations supplied much of the needed fabric and supplies for the event.

“Saturday was a beautiful day.  I\'m so happy we could share in the work and love for those in such need of encouragement,” expressed Allen Taylor, who also helped in the planning. In the spirit of showing love for others, 70 blankets were delivered to area hospitals in time for Valentine’s Day.  If you would like to learn more about the Joyful Foundation or how to set up an event of your own; visit www.joyfulfoundation.org.