With the theme of "Connections", the Blanket the Globe project is creating a montage of one-foot fabric squares of artwork thoughtfully designed by children 0-18 years old, showing how they feel connected to nature.
Kids care!
Once the blanket is big enough that it will make a powerful visual statement (or even fill a stadium!) the Blanket the Globe project will put it on display in appropriate settings to share your voices with others.
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 press conference at The Massachusetts State House
BOSTON | Casey Ehrlich, founder of Blanket the Globe, was invited to put her project on display in the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, July 29th.
Representative Frank Smizik and Senator Pamela Resor, both Chairpeople of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture emceed a press conference to express their appreciation for the children's work from all over the world as a good reminder that children care. Family friend and mentor, Jill Goodman, also spoke about Casey's Upstander Award from the organization Facing History and Ourselves that was on display at the Boston Public Library. Many other Representatives and Senators were on hand for the event and immediately following, Casey was recognized by the Speaker of the House, Salvatore DiMasi, before the fully assembled House of Representatives.
Red Rock Park, Lynn, MA
Thanks to Matthew Nash, Visitor Services Supervisor for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Blanket the Globe made a special appearance at Red Rock Park in Lynn. Those in attendance were delighted to see most of the panels on display and look forward to returning on August 9th from 10:00-Noon when children will be able to create squares of their own.
BTG at Salem Chamber Fair
Our 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.”
"As a 15 year old who won't be able to vote for a few years, I was looking for a way that my voice, and the voice of other children who care about the environment, could be heard. If all goes well, this project should be very hard to ignore!" --Casey Ehrlich, now 16
We started small with just one square a short time ago and have already outgrown my back yard. Be sure to see the **slide show** for close-ups of individual squares. Square by square, voice by voice, we are building a beautiful blanket that will express our concern that our environment urgently needs care and attention.
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 News!
*Panel #11 is almost done but we ran out of fabric on the last 4 squares! If you're from Kirkland, WA or the Ford School in Lynn, MA, keep checking in for your squares. *BTG Founder, Casey Ehrlich, was the keynote speaker at City Year's "City Heroes" weekend event in Charlestown, MA *Casey was honored at a special reception on January 30, 2007 at the Boston Public Library where she was presented with an "Upstander" Award from the international organization Facing History and Ourselves. See News Page for more. Blanket the Globe was on display for months at the Library and is now traveling with the exhibit to the Moakley Court House on Boston's waterfront this fall. *Amazing squares just in from The Boys & Girls Club of Boston! Panel #6 now has Cape Verde, Columbia, and Guatemala represented! *Fabulous squares from Alexandria, VA! Thanks to Mollie and friends. Panel #6 is done! *BTG was featured on CNN's Student News, Monday, October 15, 2007, right between the story about Al Gore and another about Gov. Bill Richardson. *Big welcome to "Bigs" and "Littles" of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mass Bay!! This gorgeous square to the right by Big and Little pair Valerie and Jen just arrived.
So please click around the site for inspiration and let's get strarted!
The Blanket the Globe Project runs on 100% renewable kid power!
