Blankets for the Elders was founded by Marji Forrest and Resa Crane Bizzaro, two people concerned about the deplorable conditions still found on Native American reservations in this country.  When Forrest (Lakota/Cheyenne) told Bizzaro (Cherokee/Meherrin) that people were freezing on South Dakota reservations, they both were astounded that one blanket could save an indigenous person.  In a country where there is so much wealth, it was hard to accept such dire poverty.  Forrest and Bizzaro decided to collect blankets and other warm items to ship to Native Americans in need.

The first blanket drive was held in November of 2005 at the fall powwow sponsored by Episilon Chi Nu (EXN), the first Native American fraternity in the county.  At this event, held on the campus of East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, new and gently-used blankets were accepted.  Participants and observers also donated money to help with shipping costs.  Some of the largest donations were later collected at the Grifton, NC, post office, where concerned patrons gave their Christmas money to help needy elders.

Blanket drives have continued during the annual EXN powwow, and the Greenville community has also assisted by donating blankets and providing drop-off points at various locations around the city.  Each year, the project has grown.