Project Linus...Did You Know?

Here are some interesting facts and figures about Project Linus, submitted by Claire Gliddon, Project Linus coordinator from Sacramento:

 - Karen Loucks started Project Linus on December 24, 1995. [The Raleigh Chapter began in 1996.]
 - Project Linus nationally has been alive for 6,212 days as of January 1, 2013.
 - Project Linus National has had nonprofit status since May 12, 1997.
 - Project Linus nationally has officially collected 4,460,736 blankets as of December 1, 2012. If 60% of them are fabric, that translates into about 8,029,325 yards of fabric. If 40% are afghans, that is about 14,274,355 skeins of yarn.
 - If each blanket is an average of 60" long, and we laid them end to end, they would stretch 22,303,680 feet or 4,224 miles. That is as tall as 768 Mt. Everests, or 15,340 Willis Towers (formerly the Sears Tower) or 17,843 Empire State Buildings or as long as 74,346 football fields!
 - Assuming each delivered blanket so far had a label, the cost for labels would be $133,822.08.
 - As of January 1, 2013, Project Linus has 403 chapters in the United States. We have 403 wonderful, compassionate coordinators. [Plus many, many more "Blanketeers"!]
 - If each of our 403 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 403 wonderful, compassionate coordinators, it is a value of $3,352,960 per year.

You may think you only do a "little bit" for Project Linus, but your "little bit" is valuable, and helps Project Linus fulfill our mission to Provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” 

Save the Date - MABD 2013

Make A Blanket Day 2013

Saturday, February 16th

10 AM-3 PM

201 East Hargett Street
(inside the IMAX theater building near Marbles Kids Museum)
Venture Hall
Downtown Raleigh

Thank you! 

Questions? Email Deanna Winick 

After the Storm

"Superstorm" Sandy wreaked havoc along the eastern United States, and the need for blankets far surpassed the number available in the devastated areas.  A call went out from Project Linus headquarters to all chapters, and blankets were sent from all over the country to Project Linus chapters in the northeast. The Raleigh chapter sent 200 blankets--thank you to all of the blanketeers who helped make this possible!

Here are excerpts from notes received from the chapter coordinators:

      I took the blankets out of the shipping boxes, refolded them if needed, and stacked them in heavy duty clear plastic bags. I've tried to keep chapter blankets together in a bag, but some bags are a combo of chapters. Each bag is attached with a tag that explains how the blankets should - and shouldn't - be used, but also has lines to add the number of blankets and where they came from. When I brought the blankets to the donation/distribution center, the people who I spoke to & who knew I was coming, were so amazed at how beautiful the blankets were that they put them in an office and called all the staff in to see them. One question asked several times was, "where on earth did you find all these wonderful women?" I pointed to the tags & showed them the different chapters! They all read the tag explaining how the blankets should be used & then looked at the PL pamphlet. They guaranteed that each and every blanket would find its way to a child and more than a few staff members voiced that they could feel the love coming from all of you and yes, a few got choked up! These are the volunteers - imagine how the families will feel!

~ ~ ~  

      The blankets are coming in in force! I've already received blankets from PA, NC, GA, and SC!! I also had the true pleasure of meeting Arlene K. and her husband who drove up from MD to deliver blankets to me! There are several wonderful, amazing things I've experienced with all that has happened such as being overjoyed in knowing there are SO MANY wonderful, loving people in this organization,and seeing all of these beautiful blankets from all over the country all together in my home and knowing that my home will be emptied very quickly because the need is so great! -(I can't really explain how amazing the sight of all of them together is, but it really is amazing!)It has been such a pleasure for me to see all the beautiful blankets from all over,and I've learned so many new things about different ways to make blankets (I never thought of crocheting around the little squares of fleece that get cut off of the fleece blankets and then putting them together like a crocheted granny square blanket!), packaging them, etc!
      I'm getting ready to head down the shore to deliver the blankets. Everyone I spoke to is eager to receive them. I've been told by a few, who do understand these blankets are for the children, that they can use as many as we can give them. I haven't asked for more - you all have your own chapters to worry about and you've all already given so much - but if any of you still want to send blankets, I know they will be welcomed and used!
      Thank you all so much!! I hope you all have a peaceful, happy Thanksgiving! I know this year when I sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, I have a great deal to be thankful for!!

Marianne McCarthy
South Jersey Chapter

Blanket and Bear Breakfast

Jennifer Dawson recently held her fifth fall fundraiser and charity drive.  It took the form of a Blanket and Bear Breakfast.  There was also a Bring & Buy Sale and Raffle to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Durham and the Make a Wish Foundation.  $850 was raised for these two organizations.  The bears were donated to the Raleigh Police Dept and The Bayleaf Fire Dept.  75 blankets were donated to Project Linus, 30 to Interact and 25 to the Raleigh Rescue Mission.  More photos

Thank you Jennifer!

Savannah Smiles

Dear Susie AND blanketeer extraordinaire, Ms. Kathleen Vockeroth!! (Please fwd to this wonderful woman, if you can!)

We wanted to extend our sincere & heartfelt thanks to all of you that are a part of Project Linus!!! We were blown away with gratitude!! 

Late last night, my husband rushed our 6 year old daughter to the ER  with major breathing difficulties, spiked fever, rapid heartbeat and severe cough that came out of nowhere.  It was really scary and time stood still...until it was determined she was going to be ok. At some point in this very stressful time at the hospital for both my daughter and husband, a wonderful gift was given to my daughter - her new favorite blanket! 

When she was finally discharged around 4:30am, our very sick and exhausted little 6 yr old daughter came running to me to show me what she received for being such a good patient at the hospital and said "I want to sleep with this forever!" Her words say it all and wanted to let you know what comfort it brought to her. The blanket is perfect in every way- down to the colors and patchwork pieces (especially the sparkly fabric ones!). What a comfort it served to her thru all the tests and xrays!!!! And what a blessing to us as her parents. 

Thank you so very much for this amazing way to give to the little ones. These blankets DO make a difference and am forever thankful, especially to you - Ms. Vockeroth!

With sincere gratitude,

Ann & Mike H.

Mark Your Calendar - November 8

Dear Project Linus Volunteers,

Quail Ridge Books is hosting Jennifer Chiaverini, author of the Elm Creek Quilt series on Thursday, Nov. 8^th at 7:30 PM. Mark your calendars to join us. I was fortunate to be able to read an advance copy of her latest book, The Giving Quilt, and it is just as engaging and inspiring as the others in the series. The Giving Quilt highlights giving to Project Linus as it asks the question, “Why do you give?” Jennifer herself makes blankets for Project Linus, and reminds us all of the joy of giving.

Project Linus will have a table there and be available to answer any questions. I do hope that you can join us to listen to this wonderful author and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Project Linus blanketeers!

Susie Holmes
Coordinator, Project Linus Wake County

Link to the book and event:

http://www.quailridgebooks.com/event/jennifer-chiaverini-giving-quilt

http://www.quailridgebooks.com/