Inaugural Speech Sparks Project to Give Warmth to the Cold

The night of January 20, 2009 changed the lives of many Americans and inspired great deeds still being done today. As our new president took the stage to give his inaugural address, millions around the globe crowded around their televisions to watch this historic moment in American history. What came next was a speech so moving it brought many to tears, inspired thought, and gave unity and hope to millions.

The words that struck Mesh Gelman, a 34-year-old Orthodox Jewish business owner of a bed, bath, and window furnishings business in Manhattan the most was this: "For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness."

Mr. Gelman took these words to heart. To him and many others it was a call to action. Rising to the challenge, he created the Patchwork Heritage Quilt, and later an entire collection. The purpose of this collection is to help 1 million of the 35 million Americans living in poverty this year and far into the future.

Blanket America has created a charitable program unique to others. Most other donations of goods are those which are considered unsellable stock by large corporations and small businesses. The Blanket America project is designed to specifically for charity though. Here's how it works:

The patchwork Heritage Collection uses a new concept of sharing. It's called the buy one, give one model. When the purchase of a Patchwork Heritage Quilt is made, the proceeds, $15 to $20, guarantee the purchase of one blanket. That blanket is then donated to Gifts in Kind, one of the highest ranking and best managed charitable organizations in America. Gifts in Kind then distributes the donated blanket to a needy American.

This new model of charitable giving helps the consumer, the economy and charity. The consumer receives a high quality commemorative statement quilt which captures the spirit of our current times. The economy is helped by putting much needed money back into active circulation and charity is helped by the donation of goods.

Blanket America isn't stopping with the creation of Patchwork Heritage Quilts and its accompanying collection. Plans have been made to spread the project to clothes, toys, kitchen appliances and household goods. Hopes are high that this project will become somewhat like the box tops for education charity. Gelman hopes that someday consumers will look for the blanket America label the same way they look for the "Made in America" label.

To learn more about the Blanket America Project and how you can do your part, please visit their website at www.blanketamerica.com. From there, you can order the Patchwork Heritage Quilt, shams and decorative pillows or find a participating retailer near you.