Blankets Sewn With Aloha

By Annette Marie
Wednesday - December 22, 2010 Share

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By Annette Marie, Chapter Coordinator
Project Linus

Project Linus is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides handmade blankets to children in need or who are seriously ill.

After reading an article on Christmas Eve 1995 about a child undergoing intensive chemotherapy treatment and about how her security blanket helped her get through the treatments, Karen Loucks decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver’s Children’s Center. From there, Project Linus was born.

Project Linus is a national organization with local chapters on Oahu and the Big Island. Blankets are made by our volunteers who sew, quilt, knit or crochet. The blankets are then donated through local organizations that assist children in order to provide a sense of warmth, comfort and security to keiki.

Local volunteer Mary Kendall has been with Project Linus Oahu since 2003. She has crocheted approximately 350 blankets to donate to the keiki of Hawaii. Not only does she give of her time, knowledge and resources, Mary shares her own patterns to make special blankets for children.

Volunteer Mary Kendall sews blankets from her own patterns to donate to local keiki

Project Linus is dependent on monetary donations for our funding. Currently, Project Linus Oahu donates as many blankets as possible that are made available by the volunteers who craft them. At this time our greatest challenge is to keep up with the demand for the blankets. We hope to find more volunteers who can help.

There are many ways to help Project Linus. We need donations of yarn, plastic storage boxes, postage stamps and sewing supplies. We also welcome crafters who are able to donate their time and talent to make or teach others how to craft blankets, as well as volunteers to assist with the website and administrative duties.

For further information or to make a donation, please contact me at 542-7106, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit www.projectlinus.org.

Hawaii charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to dchapman@midweek.com.