Benevolent Newport Beach Woman Donates Blankets to the Homeless

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Newport Beach resident Jamie Vedder is sharing the holiday spirit this year the best way she knows how: by helping Orange County’s homeless stay warm through donating blankets.

An Orange County Nanny, currently on vacation, Vedder was just looking for ways to keep herself busy after the Thanksgiving holiday.

While jogging through her Newport Beach neighborhood she ran by a homeless man who frequents her street throughout the year. In a recent interview, Vedder recalled not thinking much about seeing "Steven" there when the weather is warm. She always shares a smile or asks if he needs anything.

Sometimes he asks for food, water or even a new toothbrush she keeps handy. But on this occasion, she noticed that it was getting colder.

This time, when she asked if he needed anything Steven told her, “Yes. I need a blanket.”

Vedder knows how cold the nights can be even inside her home, without heat or air in the beachside residence.

“I couldn’t imagine how cold it must be on the street,” she said. “I started bawling and ran home. I grabbed blankets and pillows and gave them to him. I can’t explain the look on his face. It was as if I’d given him a house! He was so happy.”

Growing up in the foster care system, she has an eye for things other people might ignore, such as the needs of those who have little to nothing.

“I have lived a few days on the street myself,” she said. “So I might pay attention to things other people don’t. I couldn’t ignore him.”

Over the next few days, she began collecting pillows and blankets to share with other homeless people in the area but she quickly realized that there was much more to do than she could take care of all by herself.

“I took to social media to encourage people to join in, to either buy new blankets and pillows for the homeless or to clean out their closets for gently used items,” she said. “I encourage everyone to give any extra blankets, sleeping bags, sheets or jackets away to those in need on the streets. You never know why they are in the position they are in.”

For Vedder, giving is a natural act.

“There’s a truly happy homeless man, sleeping on a Tempur-Pedic pillow, wrapped in warm blankets. But his thanks made me warm and at peace,” she said. “We don’t always have it easy, and it is the little things in our lives that can make a big difference for others.”

If you would like to contribute to the blanket cause with Jamie Vedder, contact Ashley.Ludwig@Patch.com for more information on how to reach out to the homeless this holiday season.

Photo Courtesy Jamie Vedder