Saturday in March, it must be Project Linus

Project Linus states as their 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.'”

This year, there were plenty of TWA blanketeers.  Carol H., Carol R., Edith, Elizabeth, Hannah, Julie, Kathy M. Kathi, Mary,  Parivash, and Vickie came to help.  Then we had four volunteers in training, granddaughters.

Vickie spearheaded material purchase. Kathy M. found time to work in pattern selection for an afghan project the knitting group is working on. We had helpers at the sewing stations, ironing tables, label, pinning and camera people.  On this day, as committed citizens, we brought comfort to babies and children at shelters, hospitals, and other non profits that are in the business of helping children.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead 
 

Supporting Project Linus

Kathy and Parivash

TWA has supported Project Linus for the last few years.  As of this year, all 50 states have adopted and carry out the mission of making and distributing blankets to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug. Allyson who heads up the Troy chapter told us today that the blanket we were making—twenty-five were requested by Beaumont neonatal unit and one hundred were going to the Red Cross.

Representing the Troy Women's Association, Kathy, Parivash, Elizabeth, and Edith along with three granddaughters, all left with a fuller heart. We are reminded that those that give, benefit as much.  Each member donated material and bias tape, and a full bag of washed flannel was delivered, compliments of TWA.

Supporting Project Linus

Nine blanketeers and two granddaughters spent the early part of the day helping sew blankets to comfort children who are ill, traumatized, or in need of comfort.

We brought $400 of flannel with monkey, rainbows, Disney patterns in colors of the rainbow.  Jan, Carol R., Vickie and Edith brought sewing machines. Kathy, Carole P., Joe, and Carol H. brought irons and ironing boards and Stephanie organized all of us. 

It was a day well spent and left all of us with more memories to look back and smile at.  Jan and the vibrating table. Jo spraying Edith's glasses with water mist.  The granddaughters, predictably, forgetting all about their work when a dog got into the building then chasing him exclaiming ahhhah oohhh. 

More importantly and of course the reason we were there, was to make a contribution to children near and far.  Project Linus started not that far, about 13oo miles from Michigan, in Denver. The following is their story.

On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist, Eddie Adams. Part of the article featured a petite, downy haired child. She had been going through intensive chemotherapy and stated that her security blanket helped her get through the treatments. After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.