At the age of 15, most of us were worrying about getting our driver’s license, or our first part-time job, or just being a teenager! At the age of just 15 Mackenzie Carlson was putting others’ needs before hers. In 2015, she started an organization named Angel Kisses Blankets. The charity makes tie blankets by hand and delivers them to children that need support in hospitals. To date, Kenzie has delivered over 100 tie blankets to children in 20 states and even has sent one overseas to Ireland. “I named the charity Angel Kisses Blankets, because I wanted each blanket to be a reminder of love, grace, and knowledge of someone who loves you, and is there to protect you.
Kenzie is now a 17-year-old senior at Pickerington High School North. For right now, her school work comes first and then Angel Kisses Blankets second, but she finds balance by cutting back on friend time and is a big multi-tasker because it helps her get multiple things done at once. Within her charity, Kenzie dedicates herself fully. She is one of the first youth to jump to a challenge and does not back down after she realizes it’s more work than anticipated.
Kenzie takes it upon herself to come up with the funds for her charity on her own and through a Go Fund Me page. She takes her role very seriously to ensure her charity runs smoothly. She is very methodical in planning, organizing, and implementing her products and sharing her love and passion with others. “The best advice I’ve ever received is from my neighbor Kim when she told me that I don’t owe anyone justification or an explanation as to how I run my organization.”
Kenzie’s biggest personal struggle was being bullied at school. “I began being bullied at school in the 7th grade and it made a huge difference on my outlook on life. I had no hope and no faith that things would ever get better. But, as of right now, I have an infinite amount of hope for humanity and common human decency. My self-confidence will never be the same and may never be as good as it should be, but I have a beautiful family and a love for life I couldn’t explain if I tried.” Kenzie is inspired by her parents because they have taught her such valuable life lessons and have loved her every step of the way. She is also very inspired by the individuals who fight for their lives every day. “It makes me realize how blessed I really am.”
Kenzie is planning on attending Kent State University as a Special Education major and plans to have a job as an American Sign Language teacher. She plans to continue to make blankets as long as she has the financial support and would love to send more blankets internationally.
To find out more about Angel Kisses Blankets, please visit www.gofundme.com/y68v3c and www.facebook.com/Angelkissesblankets.