- 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.
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.
