Since 2009, the Calgary Chapter of It’s My Very Own – Bags of Love (IMVO BOL) has been supporting children facing some of the most difficult moments in their young lives. When a child is removed from their home due to neglect, abuse, or other crisis situations, they often leave with little to nothing. IMVO BOL volunteers work to ensure that these children receive something comforting during that transition. Each handmade bag contains items such as a quilt, teddy bear, toys, personal hygiene products, and other thoughtful essentials.
Between April 1 and December 31, 2025, the Calgary chapter distributed 209 Bags of Love to children in need. Behind each bag is a community of volunteers whose compassion and dedication sustain this ministry. One volunteer regularly visits second-hand shops to look for affordable fabric for quilts. During one visit, while holding an armful of materials, she struck up a conversation with another shopper who creates framed textile artwork from fabric scraps. When the woman learned about IMVO BOL, she offered the volunteer a large supply of fabric she no longer wanted to move. The volunteer left with four garbage bags full of material that will now be transformed into quilts for future Bags of Love.
On another occasion, the same volunteer met a woman who handcrafted heart-shaped pillows made from denim, complete with carefully sewn pockets that resemble denim jeans. She had been trying to sell the pillows at a garage sale but had little success. After hearing about the Bags of Love program, she generously donated the pillows instead. These thoughtful additions have become a special part of the bags, and the woman has since been invited to continue making denim heart pillows for the ministry.
Stories like these reflect the heart of the IMVO BOL community: volunteers and supporters working together to bring comfort and care to children during times of crisis, made possible by generous donors like you. Through small acts of kindness and generosity, vulnerable children are reminded that they are not alone.
