Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project Newsletter

September 2025 News

Hey there, I’m about to sound pathetic – but bear with me, please.

It’s about my birthday. I’m throwing a pity party and you’re invited. And, more than that, I’m asking you for a present.

Here’s the pity party part – for the last two milestone birthdays my plans fell through. (Okay, all together now, “poor, poor Patty”).

When I turned 55, I was supposed to have a big party with all my kids (and brand-new grands). But at the last minute, we had to cancel. I tried not to be a jerk and sulk about it, but I’ve been dragging around that disappointment, like a dopey baby.

Mostly because for my 60th bday party, my wonderful Becky had planned a big celebration and it got cancelled because it was 2020 and a world-wide pandemic screwed up our plans.

Seriously, millions of people died – so I had to suck it up and not even complain.

Do you have any idea what a jerk I would have been to complain? I do, so I didn't. (But it doesn't mean I wasn't a jerk).

All together – even louder, “poor, poor Patty.”

Obviously, for this year – my 65th – we aren’t planning anything because I don’t want the cosmos to have to dig deep to screw this one up. I mean what can top a world-wide pandemic? Freaking Armageddon???

No thanks. I’m fine.

Besides, I’m the luckiest person I know. I have an extremely charmed life. Full stop, end of discussion.

So, for my bday this year, I’m happy to sit alone, bake my own cake and take one for the team so that nobody has to suffer as the dark side of the force figures out a way to mess up my party.

That said, I do want presents.

Want to know what I want? (Seriously, are you still reading this diatribe?)

Great. Here it is. I want you to donate to the Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project. #memorialblanket.

We have a GoFundMe. Here’s the link. https://gofund.me/bc570bba. You can also use the "GoFundMe Blanket Project 2025" button below.

Would you, could you, please? $5, $10, whatever… every donation from now until Nov. 26, 2025 (when I hit that magic 65 years) will count as a birthday present. And I’ll know you made it all about me, and I will be (and always am) so freaking grateful.

Why? Well because…

People experiencing homelessness live a special kind of hell – an aching trauma, day in and day out. A cataclysm that I have never known. And it’s not just adults going through it. No, that includes lots and lots of kids. BTW, their birthdays really suck, way worse than getting a party canceled. Someone's canceling their future.

I’ve witnessed it, and I can’t tell you how badly I want homelessness to end. It’s just too tough for me to explain – even though I’ve written 11 books trying explain it. So, if you’ve got a few extra dollars, this is my birthday request. Help us get our blankets out to Denver for #MemorialBlanket 2025, please.

Our two blanket-in-a-day events held at Molly Pitcher Brewing Company in August added blankets to the pile for Denver AND creators learned all new ways to create. (Our premier blanket assembly person, Jane Nighbert, already has 50 collected in her living room. Luckily she's a good sport).

Create-A-Palooza owner, Jim Griffith, took on the task of learning an all new expression for his creativity - crocheting!

Whether seasoned blanket makers or someone learning a new craft, everyone who attended contributed to this act of love for the unhoused.

As criminalizing and rounding up folks experiencing homelessness is being pushed all across our nation, the Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project's journey to Denver will provide an eye-catching display of hand-made blankets to highlight the plight of the unhoused. And, like every other year, when the display ends, your creation will envelop a needy individual, bringing comfort in the cold and humanizing their condition.

If you're following our Facebook Group Page, you've probably noticed the remarkable work done by Rebecca Albers. She and her mom together have made nearly 100 blankets over the years. 100 people who they'll never meet have been warmed by their kindness.

Rebecca's more than a blanket maker. Like so many of you, she's a fiber artist masterfully creating fine pieces - sort of like blanket sculptures. From messages and symbols of love to a QR coded blanket that takes you directly to our website, she works outside the box to raise awareness about homelessness.

Maybe it's her age, but Rebecca's also really good at making social media posts. She tags her work with our hashtag #memorialblanket and we can share her work.

So if you've got an afghan or a quilt coming together, and you would like to share your creations with our followers, simply add #MemorialBlanket to any of your posts on social media. That allows others to see your fine work. Not only does this give you the opportunity to preview your creation, it also helps to get the word out to others who might be interested in employing their talents for this noble cause.

ONE OTHER THING! Forgive us for shouting, but... If quilting's more your bag - we recently received a $1000 fabric donation for our #MemorialBlanket creators. If you need some extra supplies for that quilt you are making, use the button below to make your request.