Started on Earth Day 2007 by two concerned sisters (Casey and Jamie Ehrlich) not content to sit around and worry, Blanket the Globe has really made its mark internationally. This intricate blanket of young voices -- more powerful as it grows -- and its organization share this mission: "To build awareness, give voice to the environmental concerns of children and, through creative expression, empower them to participate in protecting the earth's natural resources for their future."
The beautiful logo to the right was created through a collaborative process within New England's largest private advertising agency, RDW Group, of Providence Rhode Island, which held an agency-wide competition. All choices were great but this was the winner!
Blanket the Globe has now engaged and empowered thousands of children by creating this glorious montage of their artwork and heart-felt messages.
Blanket the Globe is featured in 2 books!
Lynn Hirshfield's book, Girls Gone Green, is finally published! BTG is featured prominently among so many truly inspirational stories. It's a great gift that will give back in so many ways.
Blanket the Globe was proud to welcome student leaders and campers at the 13 summer camps of the Phillips Brooks House Association throughout Cambridge and Boston. The Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) is a student-run, community-based, nonprofit public service organization at Harvard University. PBHA is the umbrella organization for 86 student-directed programs, supported by full-time staff members. Together, these programs strive for change on multiple levels in the Boston and Cambridge communities. PBHA’s dual focused mission is to provide vital resources to local communities and grow public service leaders. Often called “the best course at Harvard,” PBHA programs provide students with experiences and wisdom that cannot be learned within classroom walls. We are excited about the perfect fit of our two organizations and look forward to building on it next summer!
Founder Jamie Ehrlich says, "Kids care! We may be too young to vote but it's our future at stake in so many harmful decisions made every day by ineffective policymakers and careless corporations. Until we can vote, this is a very effective way to be heard. I will do all I can to get our thoughtful and beautiful (!!) messages to the right people."
Exciting news from Disney!
A film crew from Disney was dispatched to Debra and Victoria Glidden's house in Lynn, MA to observe kids participating in Blanket the Globe. What a great video and worthy winners for their passionate volunteerism! Have fun at Disney World!
Revere Beach Sand Sculptures
Summer Fun!
From a Sand Scupture Festival in Revere to a Bicycle rodeo in Hyde Park, we've had so much summer fun. Believe it or not, that is a sand sculpture to the left!
We loved joining the DCR trail crew in East Boston for square making and display at the East Boston branch of the Boston Public Library.
And who could forget Earthfest!? Music, sunshine, art, and free stuff! Big thanks to Matt Nash of the MA Department of Conservation Resources for his many ideas and helpful support!
BTG press conference at The Mass State House
BOSTON | Casey and Jamie Ehrlich, sisters and founders of Blanket the Globe, held a press conference at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008. The girls addressed the crowd which included many legislators, visitors, and children from the Hyde Park Arts Camp who brought squares they had created. The girls pointed out to those assembled that children can't vote for their elected officials, so they should be aware of their concerns and that they will be voting soon.
Immediately following the press conference and display Blanket the Globe was recognized by the Speaker of the House before the fully assembled House of Representatives.
photo courtesy of The Boston Globe's Michele McDonald: Kendra Abbott, 9, (left), Kiah Friedman, 10, and Maya Newell, 11, all of Hyde Park, waited with the quilt pieces they made before hearing Casey Ehrlich, founder of the project, speak at the State House. The Blanket the Globe project is a quilt made by children from all over the world, with the theme of how children feel connected to nature.
Blanket the Globe Recycles
The BTG Create page is loaded with ideas, materials, and tips on making your squares but here's another fun option. Instead of going to the fabric store and buying new fabric, rummage through your drawers and find an old beloved but outgrown shirt or fleece out of which you can get a 12 inch square. Old sheets, carefully measured, can yield tons of squares if you have a class to supply. Avoid stretchy jersey or lycra.
Blanket the Globe runs on 100% renewable kid power!
