For most, childhood is a fun, wonderful experience full of love, growth and learning.

But for children living in foster homes, childhood is sometimes filled with uncertainty, with new families and strange homes making for unstable and uncomfortable formative years.

My Very Own Blanket in Westerville works to help those kids feel less alone. The volunteer-based organization strives to give foster children a sense of value and comfort by making different customized blankets for each of them.

“Kids are placed in a situation which is never a fault of their own. They get placed in a strange home, and we give them a blanket as comfort,” says Jessica Hollins, executive director and founder of My Very Own Blanket.

Since 1999, the organization has donated more than 22,000 blankets to foster children throughout Ohio. In 2008 alone, the total number of donated blankets reached 4,200. Each blanket is handmade, and includes a name tag for a more personal touch. Some even allow the children to write their name in themselves. The blankets serve as something stable the children can take with them from one home to another, Hollins says.

In its 10 years, the organization has grown immensely, partnering with different groups throughout the state such as Girl Scouts, schools and student councils. The attitude is very positive and the children and adults in these groups are often very excited to participate in the community service work, Hollins says.

Even the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville has chipped in to help the organization with its mission, making and donating 50 blankets a month.

“It is such a win/win situation because their children are in foster care and (they) hope their children receive one of these blankets. These women say that it feels great to do some good to make up for the bad they’ve done,” Hollins adds.

My Very Own Blanket runs on the assistance of others in many different ways. Those willing to donate their time to help create the blankets can visit workshop, located at 260 E. Broadway Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Interested volunteers can also make their own blankets at home and send them in for donation. All ages are welcome and encouraged to volunteer. The organization sees many volunteers in their 70s to 90s.

The majority of the organization operates on donations of various essential items. Currently, volunteers are in need of fabric, yarn, batting (stuffing for the blankets) and monetary donations to update their workshop with shelving units.

To volunteer, contact Hollins at 614-530-3327 or jessica.mvob@yahoo.com. Visit www.mvob.org for more information about the organization.

Katie Sheets is a contributing writer for Westerville Magazine.