About Us

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The Penny's Purpose was founded in October 2019 by April Soulak-Andrews, as a heartfelt tribute to her late mother, Penny Soulak, who sadly passed away in July 2019 after a brief illness. Penny's life was marked by a deep commitment to giving, whether it was extending a helping hand to people or animals in need. Even in times when resources were limited, Penny always found a way to make a positive impact. This unwavering spirit inspired our mission statement, which is encapsulated by the phrase, "Learn to give, even when blessed with less."

During Penny's time in hospice care, a simple act of kindness touched her deeply. A family friend gifted her a warm and comforting blanket, which provided solace and comfort during her difficult journey. After Penny's passing, April found herself in need of warmth one day and reached for a blanket. It happened to be the same blanket that had once provided her mother with comfort, and now, it enveloped April and her husband, Bob, in a familiar embrace of warmth and solace. In that poignant moment, April felt a calling within her. She decided to channel her mother's love for blankets, combined with her innate generosity towards people and animals, into the creation of The Penny's Purpose.

The inaugural donation drive orchestrated by The Penny's Purpose took place during the holiday season of 2019. Initially anticipating a collection of 50-100 blankets, we were astounded to find ourselves with nearly 600 blankets gathered by the end of the drive! Emulating Penny's charitable spirit, who frequently contributed to organizations such as PADS, Midwest Veteran's Closet, and Reach Rescue, we extended our support in the same vein. Additionally, blankets were allocated to hospice care centers and senior living facilities.

Since our inception in 2019, we have amassed an impressive total of over 7,000 blankets. Through our dedicated blanket gifting program, we have had the privilege of presenting over 300 individuals with the warmth and comfort they deserve.