The Blanket Bash Culmination

Before you read this post, read this one first. Because it explains why I'm writing this post. It'll make a lot more sense if you read that post first.

  I've already introduced my readers to Nicholette (if you missed that post, check it out here). After writing my blog post about her and her birthday blanket bash, I thought to myself, gee, I wish I could do more than write a blog post that gets about 20 views if I'm super-duper lucky. I wanted to really help. I wanted to find a way to make a difference, and a big one at that. 

After putting some thought into it, I remembered a program I had heard about on KUTV's website called Pay It Forward (see here). Basically, it's a program that gives extra help to people who need money to go towards a good cause. After reading the requirements, and realizing that Nicky fulfilled all of them, I decided to nominate her. 

The next week, one of the producers called me and asked me some more questions about Nicky, her project, and how we could secretly get her the help she needed without her knowing. With some help from Nicky's mom, we managed to set up an interview with one of the producers for the next Wednesday. I can't thank Nick's mom enough for letting me FaceTime the entire interview! I was so, so excited to see her reaction when she found out the interview was much more than a heartwarming Christmas story about charity.

So Wednesday arrived, and Nicky's mom pretended to be recording whilst truly allowing me to watch the interview via FaceTime (thanks, Apple). After asking a bunch of questions, the producer said, "Well, Nicholette, if you're going to reach your goal, you're going to need a lot more help than this." And then the CEO from Mountain America Credit Union stood up and presented Nicholette with an envelope containing $500, all going towards the birthday blanket bash! It was a very humbling, amazing experience to watch as Nicky's eyes filled with tears as the producer ratted me out and I got to talk to her for a second before she got some photos taken with her mom and sister for the article. By taking five minutes out of my daily life, I was able to help bring to light something - and someone - that truly deserved it.

Since that experience, I have been able to go shopping for supplies with Nicky. It was great to watch the way her face lit up when she explained to a confused cashier why she is buying just 32 coloring books or 24 packs of crayons, and the joy that she gains from helping others.

If this experience hasn't taught me the true spirit of Christmas, I don't know what will. It has been incredible to get to be a small part of Nicky's tradition, and to be able to help as much as I can. I am so, so grateful to Nick for giving me the chance to be part of this, and to help her serve as many people as possible.

 Because of the help she has received from numerous and generous friends, family, and acquaintances, Nicky's goal of 100 care packages, as well as 50 blankets and stuffed animals for Primary Children's, is within reach.

Nicky will be featured on KUTV's Pay it Forward program this upcoming Wednesday, Dec. 11 (Nicky's Birthday!!!) both on their television show, as well as online, so please take a moment to watch it. On Dec. 20 and 21, Nicky will get to go to Primary Children's as well as SLC to hand out her blankets, stuffed animals, and care packages, and have the biggest (and hopefully best) blanket bash yet. Congratulations, Nicholette!