A community beyond compare
Last year was once again demonstrated the incredible power of community when compassion and creativity come together.
What began as a grassroots initiative continues to grow beyond anything we could have imagined. Through the dedication of our volunteers, supporters, sponsors, schools, community groups, and committee members, the TOTS Blanket Challenge has reached new milestones and expanded its impact across multiple communities.
Final Tally: 1,025 Blankets Donated
In 2025 we proudly donated 1,025 handmade blankets to individuals and families experiencing hardship.
Each blanket was lovingly knitted, crocheted, stitched, edged, sorted, packed, and delivered by members of our extraordinary TOTS community. Every square created represents time, care, kindness, and compassion.
Throughout the year, blankets were distributed to a range of valued charity and community partners, including:
• Link Wentworth Housing
• Platform Youth Services
• WestCare Penrith
• Penrith Community Kitchen
• The Haven – Nepean Women’s Shelter Inc.
• Cancer Wellness Support
• Taree SES flood relief efforts
These donations have helped provide warmth, dignity, comfort, and hope to hundreds of people facing difficult circumstances.
To every volunteer who contributed in any way – whether through creating squares, sewing blankets, transporting donations, sorting wool, attending sewing bees, or supporting our fundraising activities – thank you. This achievement belongs to every single one of you.
Strengthening the future through fundraising
One of the biggest highlights of the year was seeing the TOTS community rally behind a number of new fundraising initiatives designed to support the long-term sustainability of the challenge.
Our inaugural Knitflix fundraiser brought together creativity, connection, and community spirit in a truly memorable way.
Hosted at Glenbrook Cinema with the generous support of Embrace Care, the event provided our volunteers and supporters with an opportunity to come together, celebrate the challenge, and raise valuable funds for the future of TOTS.
The fundraiser generated an outstanding $3,472.12 through ticket sales, raffle tickets, tote bag sales, jam sales and cash contributions collected during the event.
Most importantly, the event showcased what makes TOTS so special – people coming together through creativity and kindness.
Community-led fundraising success
This year also saw the introduction of several grassroots fundraising initiatives that reflected the heart and personality of the TOTS community.
Nicky’s homemade jam fundraiser
Committee member Nicky generously donated her time and talents to create homemade jams that were sold as part of our fundraising efforts.
These jams quickly became a favourite among volunteers and supporters and demonstrated once again how every contribution – no matter how big or small – can make a meaningful impact.
We also launched our very first TOTS tote bags.
Created with a fun volunteer-voted phrase, the bags became a wonderful way for our community to showcase their involvement in the challenge while helping raise additional funds to support our operations.
Thanks to the help of Councillor Faith Skinner, we were able to secure funds to cover the cost of the production of the tote bags, so any funds raised come directly back to our charity.
Following the incredible success of our previous Trees of Hope campaign, we once again embraced the opportunity to participate in the Panthers Trees of Hope initiative.
The planning, creativity, and volunteer involvement that went into the 2025 tree was extraordinary.
We were proud to win third prize for our giant gnome and a cheque for $2000.
The Trees of Hope initiative continues to be far more than a fundraising activity for TOTS – it has become a fun Christmas celebration of community, visibility, and hope.
Investing in growth: Challenge Co-ordinator role
One of the most significant milestones for TOTS this year was the decision to invest in the future sustainability of the challenge through the introduction of a paid Challenge Co-ordinator role.
Following ongoing discussions throughout the year around volunteer workload, organisational growth, and operational sustainability, the committee made the decision to engage Ryan Osten as the TOTS Challenge Co-ordinator for a six-month period during the challenge season.
This marks a major step forward for the organisation.
The introduction of this role allows us to:
• Improve operational consistency throughout the challenge
• Support volunteers more effectively
• Strengthen fundraising and community engagement activities
• Improve systems, reporting, and administration
• Expand awareness of the challenge through social media and online engagement
• Support future growth opportunities and partnerships
Ryan has already contributed to strengthening systems, improving access to organisational resources, supporting online shop development, growing our social media presence and assisting with community engagement initiatives.
This investment reflects our commitment to ensuring the TOTS Blanket Challenge continues to grow sustainably while supporting the incredible volunteers at the heart of the organisation.
Looking forward
As we move into the next stage of the TOTS Blanket Challenge, our focus remains firmly on:
• Connecting communities through creativity and kindness
• Supporting volunteers with resources, encouragement, and structure
• Strengthening sustainable fundraising initiatives
• Expanding community partnerships and sponsorship opportunities
• Improving systems and operational support
• Continuing to grow awareness of the challenge across Australia
Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to celebrate a significant milestone:
10 Years of the TOTS Blanket Challenge
To mark this incredible achievement, the committee has set an ambitious goal of:
1,000 Blankets for 2026
This milestone represents not only the blankets themselves, but ten years of compassion, generosity, creativity, and community connection.
A heartfelt thank you
To every volunteer, supporter, sponsor, donor, committee member, community partner, school, workplace, and charity organisation who has contributed to the TOTS Blanket Challenge this year – thank you.
As special thanks to Embrace Care for sponsoring the catering of our sewing bees and to The Creative Fringe for their 10th year storing and showcasing our blankets, hosting sewing bees, managing bookings and volunteer drop-ins and so much more. We couldn’t do this without you.
You are all the heart of this movement.
Every square, every stitch, every donation, every fundraiser, every social media share, every sewing bee, and every act of kindness contributes to something far bigger than blankets.
Together, we are building connection, dignity, hope, and warmth for people who need it most.
Here’s to another incredible year.
Debbie O’Connor
President
TOTS Blanket Challenge 2026
