About Us

Blankets of Love – Amarillo is a local non-profit organization, founded in 2015 when a desperate need for warm blankets was noticed within the Panhandle. Since our beginning, we have sewn and given away almost 14,000 blankets to our community and overseas.

Our blankets are provided to multiple organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, Hope Choice, Veterans, Children’s Miracle Network, The Bridge, disaster victims, and many others.

Most of the blankets we sew stay right here in the panhandle for children and families in need. It is our mission to make sure that not only do these families stay warm during our cold winters, but that they also feel the love of Christ when they are at their loneliest times.

Each blanket has a special tag with a powerful message of John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

- John 3:16 KJV

Through charitable giving, we have been able to provide not only blankets but fleece capes of hope, at no cost, to families and organizations. It is our hope that we will be able to continue these great causes with your help and contribution.

Blankets of Love – Amarillo operates on donations from the community in the form of fabric, fleece, sewing supplies, and cash donations. All donations are welcomed and greatly appreciated. We appreciate your consideration and kindness for those in need. If you're interested in donating, click below.

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Our Mission

Wrapping those in need with warmth, prayer, and the love of Jesus Christ

In Memorium...

November 2012

Lisa D'Shawn Martinez

daughter of Joe and Thelma Martinez

July 2019

Seth Havens

son of Mike and Anita Havens

August 2019

John Michael Morrison

son of Amanda and Doug Morrison

December 2022

Gary Hyatt

husband of Kathy Hyatt

Our Team

Thelma Martinez

Founder & Donations Coordinator

Thelma Martinez, the founder of Blankets of Love – Amarillo, moved to Amarillo from Floydada in 2003 with Joe, her husband of 47 years. Joe and Thelma are the parents of two daughters, Lisa, who passed away in 2012, and their youngest daughter Laci. They also have two granddaughters Abri and Lisa Grace.

After suffering a serious motor vehicle accident in 2005, Martinez was wheelchair-bound for a while. in 2015, after a long 10 years, her appointment with the orthopedic would change her life.

Her orthopedic showed Martinez a video of an African orphanage where children dug holes in the ground to keep themselves warm while they slept. This was the spark that inspired Martinez to make a difference in this world for those who are in need of warmth.

Martinez just so happened to have a stash of fleece that she used for making baby blankets to give away. She approached ladies in her church telling them about the video and how it had tugged on her heart to make a difference for those in need of warmth.

Martinez and a group of ladies got together to make fleece blankets to send to Africa. While originally only having enough to make 120 blankets, Martinez received a donation of fleece to make 30 more blankets which brought the total number up to 150 blankets that Martinez and the ladies were able to send overseas to help bring warmth to those who were without.

Martinez credits the start and spark of this ministry to God when he planted the seed in Martinez’s heart to wrap those in need with warmth, prayer, and the love of Jesus.

Tricia Price

Secretary

Tricia moved to Amarillo, TX 15 years ago from Colorado. Tricia is a retired elementary school teacher & occasionally substituted from time to time. Tricia loves kids and has a passion and love for helpings those in need for the name of Jesus.

Kathy Hyatt

Chairman, Capes of Hope & Special Needs

The idea for hooded capes came to Kathy’s mind when she saw that it was difficult for children who were in wheelchairs to put a coat on and have it stay comfortably on them after being placed in their wheelchair. That is when the idea of Hooded Blankets (also called Capes of Hope) came to Kathy’s mind.

With a hooded poncho design, the Capes of Hope have a shortened back to help accommodate the safety straps of a wheelchair, a hood attached to the blanket to keep the child’s head & neck warm, while the rest of the blanket extends down to their arms and legs to keep the rest of the child’s body warm while they are in their wheelchair.

Cherrie Bland

Treasurer

Cherrie Bland moved to Amarillo in 2004. She has been married for 55 years, has 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter on the way.

Cherrie worked in the insurance industry for 21 years prior to working for Amarillo Area Baptist Association where she currently serves as the Financial Secretary and Clerk. Cherrie loves working for all the Baptist churches in the association.

Cherrie loves working with Blankets of Love – Amarillo in helping their mission of wrapping those in need with warmth, prayer, and the love of Jesus Christ.

Melinda Baca

Office Manager