hope magazine online

"Joy Unspeakable"

Donna Chambers, Affordable Blankets

Affordable Weighted Blankets is the fulfillment of a long-time dream.  You know you always hear that if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life?  That always sounded pretty good to me!  When my children were young I also wished I could work from home so that I could be with them more often.  Giving of my time and talents to the less fortunate was also something that I dreamed of doing but never seemed to have enough time for.

When my grandson, David, was diagnosed with Autism, his occupational therapist recommended a weighted blanket for him.  They had a flyer from a woman that made weighted blankets at home.  We decided to try and make one ourselves.  I looked up free patterns online, but nothing was quite right.  Not being an expert seamstress, I sought out my pastor’s wife, Carol, who taught a quilting class at my church for help.  We made a weighted blanket for David that he loved, and the idea for a ministry was born. 

Because we consider Affordable Weighted Blankets our ministry, each member of the team commits to pray for the person receiving the blanket as it is being made.  We want our blankets to bless the entire family.  It is “joy unspeakable” when we get a call or email from someone saying that they had amazing results!  We share the sadness of those who don’t get results and continue to look for answers to the effects of Sensory Processing Disorders. 

We contract stay-at-home mom’s, dads, and grandparent’s to do the sewing.  Even my assistant, Mamie, is a stay-at-home mom and our Webmaster is a work-at-home dad.  How wonderful it is to support families by giving them the flexibility they need to be there for their families.  

What an amazing journey it has been so far.  We have met so many amazing people!  I never thought that Autism would bring a blessing into my life, but the blessings have been many.   We all work very hard…. more hours I am sure than we did in the days when we had “regular” jobs.   But, they were right! When you love what you do…..you never truly work!  J

Visit us at Affordable Weighted Blankets

Warmest Regards,

Donna Chambers

.