Louth Volunteer Centre Celebrates 100th ‘Blanket of Care’ in Heartwarming Community Milestone
Ardee News and Sport – Louth Volunteer Centre Celebrates 100th ‘Blanket of Care’ in Heartwarming Community Milestone
Louth Volunteer Centre is proudly celebrating a major milestone in its inspiring social inclusion initiative, Blankets of Care. Since launching in late September 2024, the project has captured the hearts of volunteers across County Louth, uniting people of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities through the simple but powerful crafts of knitting and crocheting.
The mission is as touching as it is impactful: to create beautiful, cosy, handmade blankets for local non-profit organisations supporting people in need across the county. Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of volunteers, the project has now reached its 100th Blanket of Care — each one a symbol of warmth, compassion, and community spirit.
A Community Woven Together
Under the compassionate leadership of Kayleigh Mulligan, Manager of Louth Volunteer Centre, and driven by the vision of project coordinator Emma Walker, Blankets of Care has become far more than a crafting group. It’s a welcoming space where friendships are forged over tea and coffee, skills are shared, and kindness is woven into every stitch.
Volunteers from nine different countries, including Ireland, have contributed, attending regular gatherings in Dundalk or knitting and crocheting from home — making participation as flexible and inclusive as possible.
Each blanket crafted has found a meaningful home: buggy blankets for young parents, lap blankets for older individuals living alone, and comfort blankets for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Six Louth-based non-profits have been the grateful recipients so far.
A Celebration of Compassion
To mark the creation of the 100th Blanket, Louth Volunteer Centre hosted a special appreciation morning in April, complete with tea, scones, and heartfelt words of gratitude from the recipient organisations. Every volunteer received a Certificate of Appreciation, acknowledging their invaluable contributions.
Notably, two volunteers, Brenda (crochet) and Gabrielle (knitting), offered their time to tutor newcomers, helping to ensure that everyone, regardless of skill level, felt welcomed and empowered to contribute.
Kayleigh Mulligan praised the team, saying:
“Every stitch in these blankets represents kindness, compassion, and a sense of belonging. Whether volunteers knit at home or join us in person, their contributions are making a real difference to people’s lives. When we received a gorgeous thank-you letter from Alone, it reminded us how powerful small acts of kindness can be — as they said, ‘It feels amazing to make someone feel amazing.’”
Heartfelt Thanks from Across Louth
Several recipient organisations shared moving words of appreciation:
- ALONE Northeast Branch sent a deeply touching thank-you message, celebrating the impact the blankets have on older individuals facing loneliness.
- The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre praised the donations, stating: “These beautiful handmade blankets were such meaningful gifts for our clients during a difficult journey of hospital treatments and recovery.”
- Ardee Day Care Centre expressed sincere thanks: “This lovely gesture is greatly appreciated by all of us. We wish every volunteer success and happiness in your future lives here in Ireland.”
- Additional recipients included Youth Work Ireland (Drogheda Branch – Young Carers), Drogheda and District Support for Older People, and Lifestyle Development in Drogheda.
How You Can Help
The project is now seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to help support Blankets of Care — someone warm, organised, and welcoming. No knitting skills are necessary — just a passion for bringing people together!
Additionally, wool donations are urgently needed to keep the project going strong. Donations can be dropped off at Louth Volunteer Centre offices in Drogheda (Bolton Street) or Dundalk.
If you’d like to get involved — whether by volunteering, coordinating, knitting, crocheting, or donating — contact Louth Volunteer Centre:
📞 Drogheda Office: 041 9809008
📞 Dundalk Office: 042 9392934
📧 Email: info@volunteerlouth.ie
🌐 Website: www.volunteerlouth.ie
Together, through each handmade stitch, Louth Volunteer Centre and its volunteers are creating something far bigger than blankets — they are weaving a stronger, more connected community.
