West Fargo student known for sharing 'Warm Blanket Hugs' through nonprofit dies - InForum | Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo news, weather and sports

WEST FARGO — A West Fargo High School student widely known for her charitable work died following a medical emergency, students and parents were told Tuesday, Oct. 15.

An email sent to West Fargo High School parents identified the student as 17-year-old Olivia Allen, a senior. She previously attended Cheney Middle School and Harwood Elementary School, the email said.

Students were told of Allen's death at school Tuesday morning, the email said. A space was set up in the school's theater for students to seek counselors and resources if necessary.

The email did not say whether the medical emergency occurred on school grounds.

According to a 2018 Forum article, Allen was involved in Girl Scouts and pageants and aspired to one day become Miss North Dakota.

In 2019, she was one of 10 students in the U.S. to receive the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She also was one of 102 students to earn the Prudential Spirit of Community Award.

Allen was chosen for her work with Project Linus and her charity, Warm Blanket Hugs, which at that time had shared nearly 130 blankets with those in need.

Allen was inspired to start Warm Blanket Hugs following her experience being diagnosed with epilepsy as a 2-year-old. After a hospital stay, she was allowed to keep a homemade blanket staff had left on her bed. Wanting to pass on the feeling of comfort in a difficult time, Allen started Warm Blanket Hugs as a Girl Scouts project in 2014. It became a nonprofit in 2019.

By 2022, Warm Blanket Hugs had donated roughly 3,000 blankets across every U.S. state and Australia.

This year, Allen was a nominee for the YWCA's Woman of the Year awards.