CJ Matthews

CJ Matthews is a high school junior, changemaker, and award-winning author passionate about empowering youth to make a difference. At five years old, he founded Blankies 4 My Buddies after his family experienced pregnancy loss, finding comfort in giving blankets to others. Over the past 11 years, his organization has donated over 30,000 blankets to children and families facing illness, homelessness, grief, and loss.

CJ created The Blanket Box Project, empowering youth to serve their communities through no-sew blanket workshops, hospital blanket chests, and blanket-making kits. He also founded The Giving Bowl, a youth football tournament combining sportsmanship and service to support families in need.

An accomplished author, CJ co-authored And Then There Was One with his mother and co-authored Making Change with the Good Brothers with his younger brother, Kollin. He has also been featured in multiple publications highlighting young changemakers.

Outside of service, CJ is a student-athlete who enjoys football, wrestling, anime, music, and spending time with friends and family.