Project Linus...Did You Know?

Here are some interesting facts and figures about Project Linus:

• Karen Loucks started Project Linus on December 24, 1995. The Raleigh/Wake County Chapter began in June 1996.
• Project Linus National has had nonprofit status since May 12, 1997.
• Project Linus nationally has officially collected 3,566,285 blankets as of September 30, 2010. If 60% of them are fabric, that translates into about 6,419,313 yards of fabric. If 40% are afghans, that is about 11,412,112 skeins of yarn.
• The Raleigh Chapter of Project Linus donated 2226 blankets in 2010. Since we started in 1996, we have delivered 19,579 blankets!
• If each blanket is an average of 60" long, and we laid them end to end, they would stretch 17,831,425 feet or 3,377 miles. That is as tall as 614 Mt. Everests, or 12,264 Willis Towers (formerly the Sears Tower) or 14,265 Empire State Buildings or as long as 59,438 football fields!
• Assuming each delivered blanket so far had a label, the cost for labels would be $106,988.55.
• As of January 1, 2011, Project Linus has 371 chapters in the United States. We have 371 wonderful, compassionate coordinators.
• If each of our 371 wonderful compassionate coordinators donates an average of 20 hours per week to their chapter, that would mean about 1,040 hours per year each. And that's just coordinators!
• Think you're not making a financial contribution to Project Linus? How much money is your time worth? Even at minimum wage, 20 hours per week is a salary of $8,320 in donated time per year, per coordinator. If you are talking about 371 wonderful, compassionate coordinators, it is a value of $3,086,720 per year.

And the winner is...Project Linus!

Thanks to all of you who submitted craft entries and voted in Joann's "Craft for a Cause" contest.  The votes have been tallied, and Project Linus is the $50,000 grand prize winner!  

Words fail to adequately express our thanks to the countless supporters and volunteers who voted for Project Linus at JoAnn's Craft for a Cause Contest. And to JoAnn's, for their generosity, I hardly know how to begin. This is the largest donation we have ever received at one time, and will make an enormous impact on our organization. Thanks to you all. Thank you, thank you, thanks to you.

~ From Project Linus National Headquarters, via Facebook.

Horizons Grief Center Receives Blankets

Children who experience the death of a loved one can feel lonely and frightened.  Hospice of Wake County, through their Horizons Grief Center, offers grief counseling to children and teens to help them better understand their feelings and learn to cope with their loss.  The Horizons Grief Center recently received a delivery of blankets that will provide a comforting "blanket hug" for the children who participate in the support groups, workshops, Camp Reflections, and other activities at the Center.  Molly Flynn, a grief counselor, writes to express her gratitude:

Susie,

The blankets you selected and sent are absolutely gorgeous—they are a perfect blend for all of the ages we serve. Unpacking them I could immediately feel the joy they will bring to our clients and how excited they will be! There is such diversity. Thanks to you and Irene and of course all the generous craftspeople for your compassion!

Thanks again and I will be in touch in the near future,

Molly Flynn, M.A., LPC-BE, NCC
Child and Teen Grief Counselor
Horizons Grief Center, a division of Hospice of Wake County

Vote for Project Linus!

Project Linus has been announced as one of the top three finalist charities in Joann's "Craft for a Cause Contest."  The other two finalists are American Cancer Society and Operation Write Home.  The first place prize is $50,000, second place is $35,000, and third place is $15,000.

You can help decide which charity receives the $50,000 prize from Joann's.  Official voting starts today, November 7, and ends on December 4.  Visit the Joann's "Craft for a Cause" website to cast your vote for Project Linus, and share this information with everyone you know!  You may cast one vote per day.  www.joann.com/craftforacause  

Several of our Cary Blanketeers sent in entries for a $1,500 individual prize, and are anxiously awaiting notification from Joann's.  This is a blanket that Ann Moore made--doesn't it make you smile?

BB&T Blanketeers

During August and September, employees of Branch Banking & Trust participated in the Lighthouse Project, a company-wide community service effort.  Their mission: to make the communities they serve better places to live by lending helping hands to those in need of hope and encouragement.  During the 2009 Lighthouse Project, BB&T employees donated more than 52,000 volunteer hours to local charities and touched the lives of 1.6 million people in 25 states.

For their Lighthouse Project this year, more than 40 volunteers helped The Raleigh/Triangle Team make blankets for Project Linus.  Shown here are some of the employees who work in the BB&T office in downtown Raleigh and the giant stack of blankets that they made!

Lending a hand helps others, but it is also a rewarding experience.  Kelly C. of the Raleigh/Triangle Team says, "The folks who have participated have really enjoyed the project, and knowing that some child will one day find comfort in the big, warm blanket that they made."

Many children in the Triangle will be comforted by these blankets.  Thank you BB&T!

Cary Drop Site is Changing

For all of our folks who drop off in Cary, a notice from Etc. Crafts – They are closing! Project Linus thanks Etc. Crafts for all of their kindness and support over the years and we wish them the very best. They are having a going-out-of-business sale on September 7th.

Effective immediately, Project Linus will have a new drop site for that area.  Elegant Stitches has graciously agreed to be a drop site. They are located in the Waverly Place Shopping Center in Cary, at 210 C Colonnades Way.  Their phone number is 919-852-4445.

Thank you to Elegant Stitches for helping out so quickly!

PL @ QLC

Project Linus Day at Quilts Like Crazy was a smashing success! We collected over 60 blankets, and several more were started which will be completed by volunteers at home. Quite a few people stopped by who had never heard of Project Linus; perhaps they will become “blanketeers” in the future.

11-year old Sophie H. of Wake Forest presented this blanket to Susie Holmes, PL Coordinator.  Sophie and her friends made this precious quilt at her birthday party.

Shirley M. was the lucky winner of the Project Linus tote bag.  It was a fun day for everyone who attended.  More photos can be seen in the Photo Gallery.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, donated blankets, made quilts, sewed on labels, and helped coordinate this event.  Special thanks go to Betsy and Karen at Quilts Like Crazy for hosting this event, and for their support throughout the year.

Quilts Like Crazy hosts Project Linus Day

Come to Quilts Like Crazy in Wake Forest for Project Linus Day on Saturday, August 28 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  This event will be another opportunity for local people to get to know Project Linus and find out how to provide a "blanket hug" to children in crisis.

Stop by to see blankets on display and enter to win a Project Linus tote bag filled with goodies.  Bring a new, handmade blanket to Project Linus Day and receive an additional prize entry.  The drawing for the prize will be held at 2:00. You do not need to be present to win, but you do need to come to Project Linus Day to enter!

While you are there, you can also shop!  Quilts Like Crazy is a full-service quilt shop offering lovely fabrics, a variety of quilting supplies, books, and patterns, quilting classes, long-arm quilting services, and Janome sewing machine sales and repairs.

Quilts Like Crazy is a Project Linus drop site, and accepts blankets throughout the year.  The store is located at 1241-08 South Main Street (also known as US 1-A) in Wake Forest, at Friendship Chapel Road.  (Click here for a map.)

For more information about the Project Linus Day event, please call or email Vickie Kloster (phone 562-3322).

Project Linus on TV

The Raleigh chapter of Project Linus was featured on NBC-17 last week. Eight-year-old Connor received a Project Linus blanket when he was hospitalized at Wake Med. In this video clip, he and his mother tell what this blanket means to them. Susie Holmes, the Coordinator for the Raleigh Chapter of Project Linus says, "It's the community caring for the community." She tells what Project Linus does and explains how blankets make their way from the volunteers who create them to the children who receive them.

Project Linus Day at Quilts Like Crazy

Greetings Blanketeers!

Quilts Like Crazy in Wake Forest is hosting a “Project Linus Day” at their shop on Saturday, August 28 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This fun event is to highlight Project Linus and one of our drop sites, Quilts Like Crazy.

It will be a great day, with snacks and a fabulous door prize (a Project Linus tote bag filled with surprises!). We have room for a small group of blanketeers who would like to come and sew that day.
- Come for all or a portion of the time.
- Bring your sewing machine and sewing supplies.
- Bring materials to sew a blanket, select from kits that will be available, or purchase materials from Quilts Like Crazy.
- You will receive an entry for the door prize, plus an additional entry for each blanket that you bring in or complete that day.

Space is limited, and there is room for only 8 sewing machines. If you want to participate, it is important that you sign up in advance to reserve your spot. Please call or email Vickie Kloster for more information and to sign up (phone 562-3322).

If you can’t come and sew with us, visit Quilts Like Crazy that day and enter the drawing for the door prize, drop off your blankets for Project Linus, and shop! Quilts Like Crazy is a full-service quilt shop, offering lovely fabrics and a nice selection of quilting supplies, books, and patterns, long-arm quilting services and Janome sewing machine sales and repairs.

More information about the Project Linus Day event will be posted later. Thank you for all you do for Project Linus!

Event coordinators,
Susie, Janet, Deanna, and Vickie

Join our new blanket making group

Do you knit, crochet, or quilt?  Join the new blanket-making group, The Cary Blanketeers.  Bring your own project or come and learn a new technique.  The first meeting will be Wednesday, June 2 from 10:00-12:30 at the A.C. Moore store in Crossroads Mall (Walnut Street in Cary).

Make new friends, share your talents, and help children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need of a hug.  For more information, download this flyer or contact Pam Wilson, the group's coordinator.

The Cary Blanketeers - Crafting Security, Warmth, Comfort & Hugs

More beautiful blankets

You don't have to be a grown-up to be a Project Linus "blanketeer".  This cuddly fleece blanket was made by Mrs. Rigsbee and Mrs. Goodwin's class at Leesville Road Middle School.

These lovely blankets will surely brighten a child's day.  Handmade blankets wrap a child in love and comfort. Thank you blanket-makers, young, old, and in-between!

 

Announcing the Cary Blanketeers!

Make new friends and make blankets for Project Linus!  Mark your calendar for June 2, when a new blanket-making group in Cary will meet for the first time at the A C Moore craft store in Crossroads Mall.  Bring your own project to knit, crochet, or quilt. Experienced crafters will mentor beginners and everyone is welcome.

More information about the Cary Blanketeers will be posted here in the coming weeks.  You can also download this flyer or contact Pam Wilson, the group's coordinator.

Knit-a-Thon a Success

We had a successful day at our Knit-a-Thon, with 10 blanketeers joining in the fun. We raised $500 for Project Linus from sponsors and $15 from the sale of goods.

Our thanks go to Karissa Brinkley for hosting this event, to Coats and Clark for the donation of yarn, to Glover Printing for printing posters and handouts and to the UPS store for duplicating.

Do you ever wonder...

...what happens to a blanket that you have donated to Project Linus?  You may never know about the child that cuddles one of your blankets, or the situation that brought about the need for a comforting "blanket hug".  Occasionally we do receive notes that tell us how special your handmade blankets are.  If you ever doubt that you are making a difference, read the letters below...

Hello,

I just wanted to write and thank you for the beautiful quilt that was given to my three year old last night at the N. Wake ER.  We thought he might have swallowed a small toy since he choked on part of it after he put in his mouth.  We were all very frightened.   He was terrified of being in the ER and then a beautiful quilt with bright colors and little lizards all over it was brought out to him.  He shifted attention to it and it made the whole incident much easier to deal with.

I wanted to cry when I saw the handiwork and craftsman(woman)ship that went into making this beautiful quilt.  From the careful selection of fabrics, to the design, and the many hours it must have taken to create.  To think that someone would do something that kind for a frightened child they will never meet, filled my heart with a great feeling of humanity.

I think your program is wonderful and I was wondering if there was any way possible to personally thank the wonderful person who made it?  Also, we were amazed by the size of the quilt!  It was large enough to use on a bed.  It is truly one of the most memorable gifts my son has ever received and I will always be touched by the generosity of the lovely soul who did something to ease the pain of a small frightened child.

The main colors were teal, yellow, green and red and like I said it had some lizards on it and little parts of it said "Wild Thing" on it.  My son loved it and I would love to tell them personally how much my son and my husband and I appreciate the time, effort, and love that went into it.  I have not seen such a pure act of love in a long time, it chokes me up!

Thanks very much for your help and for ALL that you do.  I am so happy to know there are people like you and your fellow blanketeers out there in the world and I KNOW the world is better place because of it.

A Heartfelt Thanks
Wake Forest, NC

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dear Susie,

My friend Gillian called this morning to tell me that the quilts had been delivered to Eileen. When Gillian went to the home, she explained what Project Linus did, and when they opened the box Eileen said, "How did the woman know?" All the quilts/fleeces were perfect! The surf board went to the one that just got a boogy board for Christmas, the yellow and green one went to the daughter whose favorite color is yellow. And the skate board one went to the one who loves to skate. All four of them went to exactly to the right child! It brought happiness for a moment into their home.

The weather was very cold that day and rainy. Eileen's mother came over after the funeral and was very sad and cold. Gillian and Eileen wrapped her up in one of the quilts and made her a cup of tea. The woman started to cry again. All three of them could not believe that someone would take the time to read about the family online and find the right blanket for each child! You rock!

So I hope this brightens your cold cold day ...

Cheers,
Sarah

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hello,

Two years ago this week, my son was born six weeks prematurely.  I had pre-eclampsia and my organs were starting to fail, so he was delivered early.  He weighed only 3.8 pounds and was so tiny, as he didn't get enough blood supply from me.  His "Linus" blanket was so sweet and adorable and is something he still treasures.

When we were in Rex Hospital, I felt so honored when they rolled my son, Bobby, into my room wrapped in one of your Project Linus blankets.  I’d heard of you and it made us feel so special.  I’m keeping it for when he’s grown up, but he still likes it.  I guess it’s been with him from the beginning so it feels special.

When he was born early, I was so scared, but I had to smile when I saw the blanket.  It was God touching us with that very appropriate blanket.  I just want you all to know how much I appreciate that.  Today, Bobby has completely "caught up" and is an active, normal toddler.  He turned two on Saturday.  We are so blessed and are better because of Project Linus.

Thanks again!

March Knit-a-Thon

On Saturday March 20th, we will be holding our first Project Linus Wake County Chapter Knit-a-Thon at the Diapering Doula, a children’s clothing and diapering store at 4109 Grace Park Drive, Morrisville, North Carolina.

There are many ways to take part in all the fun.

- Come to the Knit-a-Thon, bring your knitting or crochet and enjoy yourself
- Get sponsorship from family and friends and donate the money to Project Linus
- Donate materials such as yarn, fabric or fleece to our ongoing blanketeers


For full details for this event, click here. You can also download a sponsorship form.


The Knit-a-Thon will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and you can attend for all day or part of the day. If you are planning to attend, please sign up with Vickie Kloster. If you have any questions, please contact Janet Rapp

We will have some yarn available which has been donated by Coats and Clark, or you can bring along your own yarn, previously made squares, or ongoing project.

Whatever you do, come and enjoy the fun.

Thank You Blanketmakers!

Dear Project Linus Blanketmakers,

            Thank you all so much for your hard work on Make a Blanket Day last Saturday. We finished well over 300 blankets and have many more ready to label. I’m about to go deliver the first batch to Wake Med right now. Our chapter has now delivered over 17,600 blankets to comfort children in our area. Please know that we could never do any of this without the kindness of all of you.

            Special thanks to Deanna Winick, who works hard on MABD all year round.

            Our next big event is for knitters and crocheters. The Knit-A-Thon will be Saturday, March 20 from 10-6 in Morrisville. More details will be posted later – come on out!!

Many thanks,
Susie Holmes
Project Linus Coordinator, Raleigh

P.S.  Thanks also to Pam Wilson for sharing her photos of Make A Blanket Day.  Click here to visit her website and see what a great time we had!

Make A Blanket Day - only 4 days away!

We are so excited about Saturday! It's going to be a day of fun!

THANK YOU (AGAIN) to Marbles Kids Museum for their donation of the Venture Hall room. Their support is amazing!

Another Thank you to Cathy, owner of WISH UPON A QUILT, who is giving us $5 off coupons to hand out to our blanketeers (one per person). If you use the coupon by the end of March, she will donate 5% of sales to our Wake County chapter! Thank you Cathy! The staff at WUAQ is amazing and they have wonderful classes and a fabulous selection of fabrics! Their website is listed below with our other wonderful supporters.

Please email Deanna (contact info on the right) with any questions or concerns. If you need to contact her on Saturday, her cell is 345-3576.

Scroll down for MABD information!

As new posts are added, please scroll down the page to see the all the pertinent information for our upcoming event! We are so excited. Marbles Kids Museum has been so accomodating and generous with letting us use this room for no cost. !

We hope you saw the article in the Saturday N & O- HOme and garden section! Thank you to Debra Boyette for her support! (yes the link listed does bring you to our website)

Hand made items for sale at Make a Blanket Day

Janet Rapp- a wonderful blanketeer- has graciously made some wonderful fabric creations that she is selling at MAKE A BLANKET DAY! 100% of proceeds will go to our chapter. She has made some wrist pin cushions, knitting needle bags, plastic bag holders, wonderful tote bags (go green!) and "Buddy bags"- grocery bags that easily roll up and are secured with a piece of elastic. You'll have to come and see how talented she is and her other creations. Janet sews and crochets beautiful blankets for Project Linus. Thank you Janet!
All items are priced to sell!

More Thank you's!

Thank you to Moe's of Brier Creek for donating 50 kid size cups and lids for our water dispenser from Le Bleu Water- lets reduce and re-use.

Thank you to Manager Angie from Food Lion on Leesville Road for $20 donation. This will help buy bags and some more snacks!

Roly Poly Sandwich special for volunteers

Roly Poly has a special deal for our blanketeers! They are located in the IMAX building.
A FREE side with any purchase of a full size sandwich (big enough to share for some).
You can choose from a cookie, bag of chips, pasta salad or pototo salad. I1.00 to 1.25 value).
Thank you to manager Daniel for helping us out! Their sandwiches are delicious and healthy!
p.s. if you have a Citipass coupon book, they have a two for one coupon inside!
view their menu website: www.orderrolypoly.com/code/menu

Get Ready for Make a Blanket Day 2010!

Attention all our wonderful Blanketeers!
Join us for a day of fun at our annual
2010 Make a Blanket Day!
(look to the right for direction and parking links)

**Thank you to Marbles Kids Museum for donating the Venture Hall ****
(this is a very large room- a lot more space than last year)

Sewing? bring your sewing machine, current proejct* and extention cord
Knit or Crochet? bring your needles and current project*
Want to volunteer other ways? you can learn to fleece - tie blankets!

* precut quilt kits will be available - first come first served- come in and get started on a quilt top!
* yarn, fabric and batting will be available -at limited quantities

Set up will start at 8:30am. If you can help, please come! email Deanna if you want to help

A big blanket hug to all of our wonderful supporters!
Marbles Kids Museum (http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.com/)
Mill Outlet Village (http://www.milloutletvillage.com/)
Carolina Sew n Vac (http://www.carolinasewnvac.com/)
Quilts Like Crazy (http://www.quiltslikecrazy.com/)
Sew Unique http://www.sewunique.com/
Bernina World of Sewing (http://www.berninaworldofsewing.com/)
Wish Upon a Quilt (http://www.wishuponaquilt.com/)
Patsy Aiken Designs (40 yards of flannel fabric!) (http://www.chezami.com/)
SCHMETZ Needles (www.schmetzneedles.com)
Coats and Clark Thread (www.Coatsandclark.com)
Trader Joe's of Raleigh (http://www.traderjoes.com/)
Le Bleu Water of Raleigh (http://www.lebleu.com/)

Snacks will be provided. Roly Poly sandwich restaurant is in our same building. Subways is across the park-or please bring a lunch.
Let's go green!
Thanks to Le Blue Water, a water dispenser will be available- please bring a drinking bottle/containter to fill. Recycleable Cups will be available (while supplies last)

if anyone would like to donate a box of Food Lion Leaf bags to package the blankets when we're done, please contact Deanna. Thank you!

Thank you to our supporters

Please be sure to thank all of our wonderful supporters when you use their services or products. They are all very generous. Our most recent donations is from Patsy Aiken designs (www.chezami.com) - They are donating about 20 yards each of two super soft flannel!

Coming Soon - MABD 2010

Save the date! This year's Make A Blanket Day will be on Saturday, February 27. Join us in Venture Hall at the IMAX Theater in downtown Raleigh from 10:00 - 3:00. Have fun, meet new friends, and make a blanket to comfort a child in need. Want to help? Contact Deanna.

Over 160 blankets were finished, tagged, and bagged at last year's Make A Blanket Day, and many more were started. It was a huge success, and a great time was had by all!

Ways YOU Can Help

Individuals - Youth and Church Groups – Scout Troops - Quilt and Sewing Guilds - Civic Organizations - Businesses

Volunteer - If you can quilt, sew, crochet, or knit, please consider making a blanket for a child who needs a hug. Fringed fleece blankets require no sewing. You don't have to be an expert to create a blanket that is beautiful to a child. Volunteers are also needed to help organize and support Project Linus events, such as the annual Make A Blanket Day.

Donate - Washable cotton fabric, flannel or polar fleece, low-loft batting, acrylic or cotton yarn are used to make blankets. Cash donations and gift certificates to local quilt shops, fabric stores, or office supply stores help pay for blanket making supplies and chapter expenses such as blanket labels, photocopies, postage, etc.

Please contact Susie Holmes (Chapter Coordinator) regarding current needs.

Blanket Guidelines

We accept new, handmade blankets--quilts, afghans, fleece and flannel blankets.
You are encouraged to attach your name and address to your blanket, as many parents like to send thank you notes to acknowledge your treasured gift.
We always have a need for "boy" blankets and teen sized blankets. Blankets with animals, cars, and sports teams (Hurricanes, Panthers, NC State, UNC, ECU, etc.) are GREAT!

Blanket Sizes:
Baby - 30" x 30" or 30" x 36"
Child - 40" x 60"
Teen - 45" x 72"
These are approximate sizes - kids AND blankets come in all sizes. These are guidelines to help you and are not rules.

Fleece Blankets - Please cut off the selvage on the edges of the fleece before finishing the blanket. You may fringe the edges or finish them with a crochet or serged edge. There are many ways to make a fleece blanket that do not involve sewing! Look in the "Links" section for ideas...
Quilts - Please make quilts from cotton or flannel. Quilts need to be washable and durable since they will be laundered many, many times. Low loft batting is preferred. Secure the batting into outer seams and tie or quilt it every 4". Batting will disintegrate if quilted too far apart. Cut yarn and crochet thread ties no longer than 1" -1½" in length. DMC thread is colorful and easier to use than yarn.
Afghans - Use small knitting needles or crochet hooks and soft yarn to make preemie/baby afghans. Little fingers and toes, and medical instruments, can get caught in big stitches. If you prefer using larger size crochet hooks or knitting needles, please consider making bigger afghans in larger child and teen sizes. Weave in all yarn ends on crocheted and knitted afghans, do not just tie and cut them off since yarn stretches and knots may come apart on your wonderful work!

General Guidelines:
Make blankets from new, clean, washable materials in infant, child or teen friendly colors. Remember, these blankets should be colorful, cheerful, and cuddly. Crochet, knit, quilt or tie your blankets, or finish the edges of polar fleece.
Please check, double check, and triple check your blanket carefully for straight pins. It's better you find that pin and not the child who receives your blanket. Don't attach buttons or similar decorative items to a blanket. They can be a choking hazard to children.

Please Don't...Don't make blankets out of tapestry, upholstery fabric, burlap, felt, vinyl, wool, wool yarn, or any other scratchy fabrics or laces. Don't attach buttons or similar decorative items to a blanket. They can be a choking hazard to children. Don't use paint to decorate a blanket. The thick stuff peels off - we don't want a child eating it. Other kinds of paint rub off.
Please DO...Do have fun and include love in the blankets. Do know that even one blanket makes a difference in the life of a sad or ill child or teen and their family. You make a difference in Project Linus!

Project Linus chapter coordinators are instructed by Project Linus National Office to ONLY accept blankets that are of excellent quality and free from contaminants including smoky smells, pet hair or any chemicals which could cause problems for a child. If unusually strong smells due to detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets, mold and mildew or smoking products are apparent, most hospitals will discard the blanket rather than jeopardize the health of a patient.

Thank you for helping to make sure that Project Linus blankets are safe and healthy, and will bring only comfort and security to a child in need.