The Creswick Woollen Mills Annual Blanket Drive is a non-profit initiative, established in 1996. The brainchild of Creswick Woollen Mills’ late founder and Chairman, Paul Ryzowy, and his grandchildren, Boaz and Sharon, it was the company’s way to give back to the community.
What began as a simple gesture nearly 30 years ago has evolved into a yearly drive that embodies one of our core beliefs: that every Australian deserves the simple, dignifying comfort of warmth.
Drawing on textile expertise that goes back as far as 1947, Creswick Woollen Mills channels its craftsmanship into social partnerships. In doing so, we aim to demonstrate how the warmth of premium natural fibres can directly support and uplift communities in need when they need it most.
Why the Blanket Drive Matters in 2025
The demand from relief agencies for blankets in 2025 continues to increase, with a growing number of vulnerable Australians seeking assistance.
Rising living costs, persistent housing insecurity, and an annual 6 per cent jump in rough sleeping across Victoria have left thousands vulnerable to the chill.
By meeting the need for reliable, high-quality bedding head-on, the Creswick Wool Blanket Drive is able to provide a degree of warmth and comfort to people sleeping rough. It also offers much-needed relief to overstretched frontline charities, who can then free up some of their resources for food, counselling, and housing support.
How the One-for-One Model Works
For every Creswick blanket our customers buy in-store or online between 1st June and 31st August, 2025, we will donate an equivalent blanket to someone in need.
Creswick Woollen Mills, in partnership with local and national not-for-profit organisations, has distributed over $1,000,000 of blankets over recent years through the Creswick Wool Annual Blanket Drive. We’ve been able to provide the protective warmth of a blanket to people experiencing hardship and homelessness across Australia.
Trusted Charity Partners Across Australia
Creswick’s Annual Wool Blanket Drive would not have been nearly as successful without the assistance of respected non-profit allies - in particular The Ballarat Foundation - who ensure each blanket finds its rightful home. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with them magnifies every act of giving and guarantees that donations reach the most vulnerable people in our communities within days of leaving our mill gates.
These blankets are provided to a range of charities, including these trusted partners:
Join Us As We Wrap Australia in Warmth
As temperatures fall in Victoria and across the country, the need for warmth and comfort rises - and so does the chance to make a real difference to the lives of people doing it tough. By purchasing a blanket from Creswick, you get to enjoy premium craftsmanship and we donate a blanket as part of our Annual Drive.
Regardless of whether you’re buying for a loved one or simply shopping for yourself, your support doesn’t just stay confined to the walls of your home. It extends far and wide to someone braving the winter chill without shelter, comfort or security. Together with our social partnerships, we can turn everyday purchases into acts of compassion.
When we give warmth, we give hope. And that’s something worth weaving into every winter.
