Turning Grief into Comfort: The Story Of Blankies For My Buddies

C.J. Matthews of South Fulton County, Georgia, is the young founder behind Blankies for My Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comfort to children in need. The initiative was born from personal tragedy when C.J. lost his younger sister at age five. Struggling to cope with the loss, C.J. decided to provide other children with the same sense of security he found in blankets. Today, Blankies for My Buddies collects and distributes blankets, books, and food to children who are grieving, sick, or displaced. C.J.’s work has earned him national recognition, including being named a Points of Light representative. His story is a powerful example of how youth volunteerism can transform personal pain into a source of healing for an entire community.