Northern Wake Seniors Contribute to Project Linus

The Northern Wake Senior Center is the place for area seniors (55+) to meet and have fun.  Dorothy's craft class at the Center is a busy bunch, and they keep detailed records on their projects.  These nice ladies--and one gentleman!--contributed 204 blankets to Project Linus in 2011!

For more information about activities at the Center, located at 235 East Holding Avenue in Wake Forest, call 919-554-4111.

Another Thank-You

Often we think that Project Linus only provides blankets to children who are sick.  While a good number of blankets are delivered to hospitals and treatment centers, many also go to organizations that help children cope with stressful situations in their lives.

Dear Susie,

     We received a generous donation of blankets from your chapter of Project Linus. Those blankets are going to children of deployed soldiers and I am certain they will provide comfort and warmth as they await their parent’s return. Thank you and all of your volunteers for your time and generous spirit.

Diana Wright
Family Readiness Support Assistant
264^th Combat Sustainment
Support Battalion
Fort Bragg, NC

Play Ball!

It's autumn!  The cooler weather signals the beginning of the football season and tailgating, as well as the end of the baseball season with the World Series.  Blanketeer Patty M. made two quilts that a sports-minded boy will love.

A Thank-You Note from WakeMed

WakeMed North sees lots of kids in the Emergency Department...so we deliver lots of blankets to WakeMed North!  This thank-you note was received last week: 

We received a large delivery of blankets today at WakeMed North.  I wanted to thank you for such a wonderful gift.  We truly enjoy handing out such beautiful creations to our patients.  I have seen the eyes of a sick child or an elderly patient twinkle when receiving a blanket.

We have several quilters among us and also enjoy admiring your handiwork.  As a quilter myself I especially appreciate the love and hard work that goes into creating each blanket.

Thank you for all your effort.

Sincerely,
Melodie Goswick, RN BSN CEN
Clinical Educator/Supervisor
Emergency Department
WakeMed North Healthplex
10000 Falls Of Neuse Road
Raleigh, NC 27614

These Blanket Ladies Are Awesome!

From June 2010 to August 2011, the Cary Blanketeers have donated more than 500 blankets to Project Linus.

Recently, several of their blankets were sent to Fort Bragg, to comfort children of deployed military personnel.

These ladies ARE awesome, and their blankets are always beautiful and well crafted, with a little love stitched into each one.  Sit and stitch with them at the next meeting,  on Wednesday September 7th, from 10am-12noon at AC Moore in Cary.  New members are always welcome!

Find them on Facebook!  Their Facebook page features photos of blankets, patterns and coupons.  You may also contact Pam Wilson for more information. 

Another "Thank You"

A blanket not only comforts a child, it can inspire someone to make a blanket for another child.

Hi,

My name is Crystal and my son Caleb recently had a visit to the emergency room. The nurse gave Caleb one of your blankets and he loves it. It really comforted him during the long hours that we were in the hospital. This was a week ago and he still sleeps with it and carries it around everywhere.

My mother sees how this blanket effected Caleb and now she really wants to get involved to help other children.  How can she get information?

Thank you. 

For information on how you can get involved with Project Linus, check out the other posts and pages on our blog, or contact the Raleigh Chapter Coordinator, Susie Holmes.  To locate other chapters across the country, visit the Project Linus National Headquarters website, http://www.projectlinus.org/chapter.php

Blankets for TAPS

The Raleigh Chapter of Project Linus recently provided 50 blankets to a camp run by TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors).  The camp is for kids who are grieving the loss of a parent or sibling who served in the military.  This is the thank-you note that we received:

Hi Susie,

     I want to thank you again for the beautiful blankets for our kiddos!!! We were able to provide every kid at our Fort Bragg camp and Fort Campbell camp with a blanket. The kids are matched up one-on-one with a soldier or a marine for the entire weekend to be a mentor to the child. They become their "big brother" or "big sister" and keep in touch with the kid even after the camp is over. On the last day of the camp, we set all the blankets out on a table and had ONLY the mentors come in and pick out a blanket for their kid. The mentor then presents the blanket to the kid and tells them why they chose that blanket. This is something the kids love because it is a comfort reminder of the huge support system they had throughout the weekend.

     Thank you so very much for making this possible for our kiddos and mentors!!!!

Sheri Beck
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

One of the 50 blankets that was sent to the TAPS camp

Sixth Graders Make Blankets for Project Linus

Teachers Tim Tharrington and Gina DeBose recently organized a Day of Service for the sixth graders at Wakefield Middle School. Project Linus was one of several community service projects that students could choose. Nineteen fleece blankets were made for kids, by kids.

For more details about the Day of Service, please read this article from The Wake Weekly newspaper.

Providing Security Through Blankets

Another note from an appreciative mother...

Susie,

I just wanted to thank you & your workers who donated, sewed and handcrafted  the "provide security thru blankets"!  My daughter went to North Wake Hospital located on Falls of Neuse Road on Tuesday Morning and mentioned she was cold and they provided her with the most beautiful blanket I've ever seen and it made her feel so much better just knowing that other people care when you are sick.  She had a very serious sinus infection and lung congestion which with meds and great nurses and doctors care - she is on the way to recovery but most of all the beautiful blanket that was given to her at her lowest point of illness.

Please pass the on and also if you would send the address where your chapter is so we can make a donation so someone else also can receive just a wonderful gesture of love!!

See the "Donate to Project Linus" page here on our blog to find out how you can help Project Linus provide warmth, security, and comfort to children.

Flowers and Fairies

Cicely Mary Barker, an early 20th century artist, created the Flower Fairies series of books and illustrations.  Patty M., one of our Project Linus blanketeers, created these precious Flower Fairy quilts which will surely bring cheer and comfort to three special little girls.

Blankets of Love

BY LYNN BONNER - News and Observer staff writer

Brightly colored homemade blankets destined to be wrapped around sick or homeless children in the Triangle began as craft projects at Marbles Kids Museum on Sunday.

About 40 children and their parents, Peace College students and volunteers with the Wake County chapter of Project Linus made fringe on giant cuts of fleece at the Raleigh museum, using techniques that even young children could master.  "Mom, I did it," said Serenity Cruz-Delgado, 5, of Fayetteville. "I'm trying and trying again."

The gathering Sunday, held near the museum entrance to attract visitors, was a preview to the large-group blanket production scheduled for Saturday.  Dozens of people are expected to spend a few hours sewing, knitting, crocheting and attaching labels to blankets that Project Linus will donate to local hospitals and shelters. Experienced "blanketeers" will bring their own sewing machines and crochet needles. Fleece will be available to people whose expertise extends only to using scissors or poking fabric through a hole.

About 200 blankets will likely be finished by the end of the day Saturday, said Deanna Winick, a volunteer coordinator.  Since 1996, the chapter has delivered more than 20,000 handmade blankets to local hospitals and shelters.

"It's really relaxing, and it's nice to know that it's going to a good cause," said Adele Kresica of Cary, who figures she has made 50 to 75 blankets over the past seven years.  "It goes to someone who appreciates it," she said. 

lynn.bonner@newsobserver.com

Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/02/21/1003720/blankets-of-love.html#storylink=misearch#ixzz1EkF6Zuj9

See photos in our Photo Gallery.

Another Cary Drop Site

We are very happy to announce another drop site:

Whistle Stop Quilt Shop

3434 Kildaire Farm Rd 27518 in Cary

387-7400

www.whistlestopquiltshop.com

I hope the extra drop site helps some folks. Stop in and see this new quilt shop – it’s wonderful!

Thanks,

Susie Holmes

Project Linus Coordinator, Raleigh

Make A Blanket Day - February 26, 2011

Marbles Kids Museum is our host again this year, providing Venture Hall in the IMAX Theater building for our annual Make A Blanket Day.  Join us in downtown Raleigh on Saturday, February 26 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Bring your knitting needles, crochet hooks, sewing machine and a project to work on, or just come and help tie quilts, fringe fleece blankets, or sew labels on completed blankets.

Click here for a map or contact Deanna Winick for more information. 

Make new friends and make a blanket for a child!

Twenty Thousand!

Susie Holmes, Chapter Coordinator, has just announced that the Raleigh chapter has reached the 20,000 mark!  Twenty thousand hand-made blankets have been delivered to children, through local hospitals and agencies, since the chapter was organized in 1996.

Quilt Kits

Dear Project Linus volunteers,
            If you need some motivation and materials to start a quilt for Make A Blanket Day, we have fabric kits for you!  These kits were put together with fabric donated to our Project Linus chapter.  Some kits have enough fabric to finish a front; some also have backing fabric. (Batting is NOT included.)  The fabric pieces are not cut, so you can use any quilt pattern that you like. 
            If you are interested in checking out and using a fabric kit, please contact Deanna Winick at 345-3576 or deanna.winick@gmail.com.  Pick up is at Deanna's house this Saturday morning (January 29) or by appointment. Deanna lives in the I-540/Leesville/Lumley/Glenwood area; please contact her for directions.

Only a Month Away...

Project Linus Make a Blanket Day - 2011

February 26^th

10am -3pm

201 East Hargett Street in Raleigh

IMAX Building, near Marbles Kids Museum

Bring fabric, fleece, knitting supplies and a friend-

Print this flyer and spread the word!

For more information, contact Deanna Winick

Save the Dates!

Happy New Year Blanketeers!  Mark your calendar for two events that are coming up next month:

Saturday, February 26th, 2011
will be our annual
Make A Blanket Day

Venture Hall - IMAX Theater Building near Marbles Kids Museum
201 East Hargett Street - downtown Raleigh
More details will be coming soon!

And on the Sunday before Make A Blanket Day:
 

February 20th, 2011
Project Linus Fleece Tie Blanket Day
Marbles Kids Museum

1pm to 4pm
 * Volunteers are needed for this event *
You will be representing our Project Linus Chapter and teaching Marbles Kids Museum guests about making blankets and anything else about PL they want to know.
Fleece, handouts, etc will be provided.  Some preparation is needed before the event.

This is a fabulous opportunity for us to spread the word about PL and give back to Marbles for being generous for 3 years to donate wonderful space for our Make A Blanket Days.

Want to help?
Please call Deanna 919-345-3576 or email deanna.winick@gmail.com