Our Story: How Bob's Blankie Brigade Began
For many years, Marcia Lobman, with the help of friends and neighbors have crocheted, knitted and quilted children’s and lap blankets for needy children. Marcia estimates that she and her friends and neighbors donated in excess of 2000 blankets to children’s hospitals and shelters. Marcia’s efforts were supported principally by her husband, Bob, and by donations of yarn and materials from individuals and yarn manufacturers.
The desire to give back runs in the family, and Marcia and Bob's daughter, Helaine Lobman, also donated blankets to needy children through various non-profits and supported those non-profits with monetary donations. Marcia and Bob's son, Jason Lobman, learned to crochet and he has been busy making blankets and chemo cap as well.
Why form a charity to donate blankets to children and adults in need? As individuals, the impact of our activities is limited. Bob was very proud of Marcia’s activities, but unfortunately, after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer, he passed away on September 10, 2007. Starting this not-for-profit gave us the opportunity to honor Bob through a living memorial celebrating his life and to multiply the benefits of these activities by involving you.
A note from the mom of a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:
Thank you so much! My baby is currently in the NICU at Princeton hospital and has received a beautiful pink crocheted blanket from your group. She also has several hats - I guess they are also from you? My favorite is a tiny lavender one done in a seed stitch. It is so hard to have a baby in the NICU, but it warms my heart to think of all the love and effort your volunteers put into each piece. She's so tiny and has so many monitors and things; it's wonderful that she also has something cuddly. As a knitter myself, it makes me so happy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!