Spread a little warmth.
Project Linus, named after the “Peanuts” character who was never without his beloved blanket, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing needy children with handmade security blankets. The children who receive these blankets, sewn or quilted by Project Linus “blanketeers,” are either seriously ill, suffering from trauma, or otherwise in need of warmth and comfort.
The organization started in 1995, when Karen Loucks of Parker read an article in Parade Magazine about a little girl named Laura who had been undergoing chemotherapy. The little girl claimed that her security blanket had helped her to get through the treatments more easily.
After reading the article and hearing Laura’s story, Loucks decided to donate handmade blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center.
Though a Coloradan began the organization, national headquarters are located in Bloomington, Ill. The national president of the organization is Carol Babbitt, the vice president is Mary Balagna. Both are fulltime volunteers, and direct the activities of Project Linus chapters located across the United States.
Babbitt and Balagna became involved with the charity in 1998. They started as chapter coordinators and worked their ways up to become directors and officers.
Project Linus has chapters in all 50 states, and all of the blankets made by volunteers are collected locally and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, and “anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug.” As of Dec. 2004, there had been over 1,169,831 blanket and quilt donations, and 347 chapters in the United States. The charity was featured in segments on Oprah Winfrey’s television show, as well as the now-cancelled Rosie O’Donnell talk show.
Blanketeers come from all walks of life, including girl scouts, boy scouts, college students, senior citizens, and religious groups. Anyone interested can make a blanket, and send it to their local chapter for distribution to children in need. Donations are accepted throughout the year.
Multiple styles of blankets are accepted, including quilts, tied comforters (blankets that are tied closed instead of being sewn), fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets (small, extra-soft blankets for babies).
Project Linus requires that the blankets be new, handmade and washable. Poorly made blankets, or blankets that contain contaminants, such as smoke or chemicals which could cause problems for a child, will not be accepted.
Laundering contaminated blankets does not remove the problem, and in some cases can even make it worse. Strong detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets can cause problems for sick children, as can mold and mildew. Blanket-makers are asked not to include any decorations that could be swallowed, such as buttons.
People too busy to create a blanket themselves can donate blanket-making materials, such as lengths of cloth or fleece (only cotton or cotton/poly blends). Otherwise, a monetary donation can be made either online at the Project Linus Web site (www.projectlinus.org) or through the mail at Project Linus, National Headquarters, PO Box 5621, Bloomington IL 61702-5621.
The DU group who donates their time to Project Linus was begun in 2002 by Kate Griffin and Laura Smith. DU’s blanketeers meet in the lobby of Nelson hall. For meeting dates, check webcentral, or to get more information, contact Kate Griffin through e-mail at kagriffi@du.edu.
Though they donate time and materials to the charity, the DU group is funded by the Senate, so it is not an official nonprofit chapter.
The DU blanketeers are provided with materials, bought by Griffin with the funding recieved from the Senate. While Griffin is happy to see students helping out despite busy schedules, she requests that volunteers try to complete at least one quilt a year, so that blanket materials are not taken then left to sit in a corner.
