The Project Linus Chapter of Wake County, NC was started in 1996 by Susie Holmes. Over 50,000 blankets have been delivered to many local groups and agencies that help seriously ill or traumatized children who need a HUG from a blanket including: Wake Med Hospitals, Rex Hospital, Duke Hospital NICU, Safe Space (for children of abused women receiving support), Hospice (for their Reflections program for grieving children and teens), Make a Wish Foundation, the children at Salvation Army, Children's Flight of Hope, and Wake County Social Services.



Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Follow up to WVa delivery for flood victims

Many thanks to your Wake County chapter of Project Linus for gifting all of the blankets, pillowcases, and infant hats to the people of West Virginia. They were delivered into Clendenin, one of the hardest hit towns in the state. We took them to a drop-off location on a street that once had 30 houses on it. Only three homes were left habitable after the flooding. This particular street, as all of the towns hit by flooding, looks like a war zone. The woman who ran the drop-off location did not know we were bringing the blankets, but when we told her they were from Project Linus, she became very excited. She said she knew exactly what the project did, but had only ever heard of them and never seen them in action. She immediately began sorting the donations and telling everyone within hearing distance about Project Linus. We can't explain to you all the devastation of the state. In the time since we dropped off the blankets, the need for housing and bedding has skyrocketed. It's now been almost two months since the flood. Many people are living in tents on air mattresses or still in their molding homes, and those who have moved into new homes are also in need of bedding. Because of the outpouring of love and donations from people like you, they are able to find what they need on the day they need it. Please know that West Virginians don't consider you strangers--you are family. May God bless you for the good works you have done and in the good works you are doing.

Much love and many thanks,
Laura Rymer
Charleston, WV

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Helping flood victims
Most of our blankets stay right here in Wake County. However, we had a personal driver to deliver blankets to flood victims in West Virginia, so we jumped at the chance to help. Thank you, Irene and Christina (in the photo). 
Here is the thank you note:

On Saturday we delivered a load of goods to Clendenin, WV, one of the towns most impacted by the record flooding of June 23.  Necessary arrangements had been made in advance for the escort into town.  We pulled up to the distribution center and within seconds there were about 20 individuals around the back of the truck, taking time from their own cleanup, to offload the donated goods.  These words can not adequately express what we experienced there:  They were so appreciative and grateful.  These gruff, dirty, hard-working people commented repeatedly that we had brought really good (=much needed) supplies.  So, on their behalf I thank you all.
 Lisa J. Gatens
Curator of Mammals
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W. Jones St.