June 4, 2024
9-Year-Old Lexi Blasky Reaches Blanket Goal Thanks to Local Community Members
By Cindy Peterson
9-Year-Old Lexi Blasky Reaches Blanket Goal Thanks to Local Community Members
“I guess kindness really is contagious,” Lexi Blasky’s grandmother said when she gave the good news that Lexi has reached her goal of 150 blankets. This was thanks to generous community members including a lady who donated fabric after seeing the initial story and Lexi’s adopted grandmother. Lexi’s friends also came together to help her reach her goal.
The nine-year-old is the current Little Miss Leesburg, and has been making blankets for children at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Now that she has reached this milestone, her new target is to make 250 blankets.
It all began with kindness.
“For Act of Kindness Day, I chose to make blankets for Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children because my cousin was born there, and they took very good care of her,” Lexi says. “It makes me feel good knowing that I have brought happiness to a little girl or boy that is going through a tough time.”
The spark for this project came from a personal gift.
“The first blanket I made was for my adopted Grandma, Ms. Peggy Sue,” Lexi says. “I made it for her as a Valentine’s Day gift. It was white with lots of hearts.”
Delivering the blankets has been a highlight for Lexi.
“My favorite part is delivering them,” she says. “The atrium at the hospital is amazing. It has a castle, a beanstalk that reaches to the ceiling, and Disney characters. And, if you look really close, you can find Tinkerbell.”
Lexi’s efforts have garnered appreciation from the hospital too.
“I received a nice ‘Thank You’ from Arnold Palmer Child Life Department,” Lexi mentioned. “A little girl from Lake County had received one of my blankets. Shortly afterwards, the family found out that her little brother was going to need surgery. So, I made a special one just for him and made sure it was delivered in time for him to take on the day of his surgery.”
This project has not only brought comfort to many children but has also taught Lexi valuable life lessons.
“Sometimes it is the little acts of kindness that can mean the most,” she said. “I have learned that kindness is contagious.”
Originally from the small town of Berryville, Arkansas, Cindy has become a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography, and video editing. She has a B.S. in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine's Sports Hub Podcast and the Healthy Living Podcast. She also produces for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy loves traveling the National Parks with her husband , Ryan, and son, David, photographing wildlife.
