Summer of 2022…can’t wait to tell you all about it!
BLANKET WRAPS…and KNITTED HOODED SCARVES?
Even though it is summer and 90 plus degrees, we still spend our summers sewing to make sure we have enough Blanket Wraps for when the weather gets cold in Michigan (coming very soon, we know!). This summer we were able to sew and store over 100 Blanket Wraps in NEW patterns and colors so we are ready! We will continue to sew during the winter but we like to have as many done as possible because we don’t always know our homework load.
Mackenzie has been talking to her U of M friends about MK Blanket Wraps and the work we do. The story got back to the mom of one of her friends and they wanted to help. They don’t know how to sew but they know how to knit! Over the years, we have received a few requests to add hoods to the Blanket Wraps. We go back and forth on this. The hoods would need to be large enough to fit over hats and other gear, but if they are too large, they take away the coziness of the Blanket Wraps. They also add time to the sewing of Blanket Wraps and during those winter months, we need to sew quickly! So we came up with an idea…what if we had these ladies sew hooded scarves for us to hand out WITH the Blanket Wraps? They loved the idea…and we are very grateful for their time and talents!
KATE…me 🙂
Back in January, I applied for the Bank of America Student Leadership Program. The BOA Student Leadership Program is a national program that awards high school students with a paid summer internship in a local non profit. I received a phone call in May that I was one of 4 local students selected! I was so surprised…and honored! (Student Leaders are selected based on their leadership, background, and passion for bettering their communities.) So starting in June, I started my internship working at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast. The Boys and Girls Club of Suncoast is a summer and after school program dedicated to helping kids with school. I learned that many of the kids in the club are 2-4 years behind their reading level and BGCS helps to catch them up. They also provide a safe and fun atmosphere during the summer for kids to learn and play.
In addition to working with the kids, I had the chance to shadow different business departments at the BGCS and learn the inner-working of a much larger non profit. The mentorship provided in my internship was incredible and my fellow employees never failed to answer my questions or take my feedback into consideration. Throughout the internship, I took extensive notes on what they did to grow their non profit so I could use some of these ideas for MK Blanket Wraps. When I shadowed the Recruiting and Onboarding department, I witnessed the process of their team’s expansion. From reading résumes to sitting in on interviews, I saw it all and by the end of the summer there were 50 new hires! There were new employees ranging from department heads to tutors in the club. The effects of the growing team were seen immediately when I went into the club. I really enjoyed seeing the new tutors working diligently with the kids and creating a fun learning environment for them!
The last week of the internship was spent connecting with other Student Leaders across the United States at the week‐long virtual Student Leadership Summit. This was definitely a highlight in my internship experience because I had the chance to network and hear from other student leaders that have the same drive for change and success!
CLICK BELOW TO HEAR THE MEDIA INTERVIEWS:
Bay Area students give back to community, learn leadership skills through student summer program
Tampa Bay student leaders earn summer internship, give back
MACKENZIE
Mackenzie finished her Freshman year at the University of Michigan where she is studying business. She spent the summer at home doing 2 remote internships and taking a remote summer class. When she wasn’t working, she was sewing and helping with our EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT…keep reading to read what it is :).
AVERY
We couldn’t get all the Blanket Wraps cut and sewn without Avery! She also had a great summer volunteering in a local vet office helping with the day to day operations of providing medical care to animals. Avery hopes to be a vet someday, and with her love and dedication to helping animals, we know she will. She will be a Freshman in high school this year.
AND NOW FOR THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT…
WE ARE LOOKING FOR 2 MOTIVATED AND COMPASSIONATE TEENS TO JOIN OUR YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD!
Mackenzie and I are very excited to announce the expansion of the MK Blanket Wraps team! During my summer internship at the Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast, one thing became VERY clear…growth is good! We have had many volunteers join us over the years but we are now looking for 2 teens to be YOUTH ADVISORS for MK Blanket Wraps.
Anyone can apply and we are excited to see your application! Please click here to start the application process. ONLY 3 Requirements to apply:
1) Your parents must be aware that there will be some time commitment for them too. They will need to accompany you to shelters and events.
2) Live in Metro Detroit or Detroit.
3) Commit AT LEAST one year to working with MK Blanket Wraps
If this sounds like something you are interested in, PLEASE APPLY! We will be accepting applications until September 19 (DEADLINE EXTENDED to accommodate schools). We will do phone interviews for accepted applications and select our 2 Youth Advisors by October 1.
Thank you for reading but most of all, THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US!
Mackenzie, Kate and Avery
