Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) began a new project last year through its Faith Groups Outreach Committee that continues to grow in popularity.  A variety of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds create “no-sew” blankets from fleece material which are then donated to charitable organizations.  The most recent participants in the project this spring came from three Irving-based groups: Girl Scout Troop 6457, the All Things Made New Mentoring Program, and even the City of Irving Code Enforcement Department.  These blankets, which were a smaller size and made in a variety of bright colors, will be donated to Baylor Hospital.  Since July of 2016, a total of 65 volunteers have logged 116 hours in making 28 blankets of both adult and baby sizes, which have been donated to several different organizations, including the Baptist Benevolent Ministries of Irving and retired nuns of Holy Family of Nazareth.

 “This summer marks one year since we have been participating in the no-sew blanket project,” said KIB Board Member and Faith Groups Committee Co-chair Rachel Moon.  “This is an activity that we originally started as a way for a church youth group to help summer campers at Emma’s House, and it has become a very popular way to be of service.  The recipients are very appreciative, but the volunteers who make the blankets seem to get as much out of completing the project as those who receive them do.”

Keep Irving Beautiful is a non-profit, grassroots, leadership organization dedicated to educating our community about litter abatement, recycling, and beautification to help preserve the health and promote the social and economic prosperity of our city. As an award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful, Keep Irving Beautiful reaches out to all sectors of our city including government, business, church, cultural, educational, neighborhood and civic organizations.  If you are interested in volunteering with KIB, or making your activity a “green event,” please go to Keep Irving Beautiful, or call (972) 721-2175.