Hugs By Way of Handmade Blankets

By Camryn Brosnan 

    Annie’s Kindness Blankets has been giving out hugs by way of handmade blankets for almost six years now. 

  

    It all began in late 2015 as a way to honor Anne Marie Varney, an Abington mother, following her suicide on March 30, 2015. Varney’s daughters Angela, Christina, and Mia, along with their aunt Barbara Buckley, took a step forward in their grief and decided what they wanted most was to help others, the way Annie would have wanted them to. 

    

    “We will never put her behind us, she is always in front of us. She has a message and we are delivering it, in the form of hugs.” Barbara Buckley said, of Annie. 

    Their ultimate goal is to be a light in a world that is too often shrouded in darkness, spreading kindness and letting people know that they are never alone. According to the CDC, in 2018 alone, more than 48,000 people living in the United States passed away from suicide. Annie’s Kindness Blankets wants to help end the stigma around mental illness, while giving blankets to people touched by trauma, illness, or any other struggles. 

    The campaign started out small, but has grown over the years since its’ inception. 

    “We started with a goal of 35 blankets, we are now at about 10,000.” Angela Varney said. 

    This led to the organization being honored by TLC and being included in Lady Gaga’s book Channel Kindness. 

    “My proudest moment within the organization would have to be attending the TLC “Give A Little” awards show. Being given the chance to talk about this amazing journey we have taken to get here and reflecting on how many people we touched across the world- it was surreal.” Varney said. 

    The COVID-19 pandemic provided new challenges, as the organization relies heavily on group gatherings. The need for blankets appears to be greater now too, in the midst of a pandemic. 

    “The biggest change is not getting together for blanket making events. The blanket making events were enormously popular and allowed people to come into a safe place and talk about whatever they want.” Buckley said. 

    The group recently teamed up with YourFleece.com, which according to Varney, has allowed for “making and giving out blankets safely, effectively, and from the comfort of your own home.” 

    The organization is now looking to reach even more people. Varney said she has personal goals for the organization. 

    “Something that I have been thinking about is implementing our organization into a school setting. Our purpose is to get people talking about mental health and recognizing the effect mental illness has on our society. I believe if we start talking about mental health to our children then this would give them an opportunity to speak freely about what they’re feeling in a safe and comfortable way.” 

    Buckley sees growth for the organization too. 

    “I envision an AKB being a staple across many platforms, from police officers having one ready to wrap someone in, to ambulance drivers, mental health facilities, foster care, homeless shelters, cancer centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and so much more. We just touched the tip of the iceberg of where these could help.” she said. 

    To learn more about Annie’s Kindness Blankets and their mission, visit annieskindnessblankets.org or find them on Facebook and Instagram. They are always looking for volunteers and for anyone who feels like they need an “everlasting hug.”