Project Linus: Creating Security through Handmade Blankets
What is Project Linus?
Project Linus is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing handmade blankets and afghans to traumatized and/or critically ill children. The core mission of Project Linus is to provide a sense of love, security and comfort to children in need. The recipients typically range in age from newborn to 18 years old.
Linus & His Security Blanket
Project Linus was named after the Linus character from the Peanuts comic strip who was almost never without his blue security blanket.
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Prior to his death in February 2000, the creator of Peanuts, Charles Schulz, was aware of the project and thrilled that Linus was the inspiration for its name.
History of Project Linus
Christmas 1995, Denver Colorado resident Karen Loucks was reading an article “Joy to the World” in Parade Magazine by American Pulitzer prize winning photo journalist Eddie Adams.
In the article was a photo of a three-year old cancer patient named Laura holding her “blankie” that she would take with her through all her intensive treatments. After reading the article, Ms. Loucks was compelled to provide handmade blankets for a local children’s hospital, and this is how Project Linus began.
The National Headquarters for Project Linus is located in Bloomington, Illinois, and governed by a Board of Directors with over 368 chapters located throughout all 50 states. Project Linus has comforted children in hospitals, shelters, hospices and social service agencies with nearly five million handmade blankets distributed thus far.
Project Linus has been featured in national magazines and television segments over the years and continues to steadily grow today.
How to Get Involved in Project Linus
There are several ways you can get involved in Project Linus and make a difference.
- Become a “blanketeer,” a volunteer who makes handmade, washable blankets and donates them to a local chapter of Project Linus.
- Donate your time volunteering at a local Project Linus location and/or help coordinate a special event.
- Donate fabric and other blanket-making materials.
- Make a monetary donation to Project Linus.
Project Linus Blanket Sizes and Styles
All blanket sizes and styles are welcome including crocheted or knitted afghans, quilts, comforters and receiving blankets, preferably in child-friendly colors. The size of a blanket could be as small as 36” X 36” or large enough to fit a twin bed for a teenager.
In addition, due to allergy reasons, they must come from smoke-free environments. It is important that all blankets be homemade and washable.
Why must the blankets be handmade?
Handmade (or homemade) means not purchased or manufactured commercially. The purpose is that each child is touched by the significance of someone taking the time to make something special for them from their heart.
There are specific materials that are not accepted such as wool, so please check the Project Linus website for more information.
Businesses & Organizations that Support Project Linus
Here is just a partial list of major businesses and organizations that support Project Linus. Please visit the Friends of Project Linus page for a complete list of supporters.
- AT&T Foundation
- Compass Bank
- Creative Knitting Magazine
- Discover a Star Foundation
- Ecolab Foundation
- ExxonMobil
- IBM
- International Paper Company Foundation
- JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores
- Keepsake Quilting
- Kiwanis Club
- Kohl’s
- Lockheed Martin
- Mettler Threads
- Office Depot
- Penske
- Pico Textiles
- The Prudential Foundation
- Quilter’s World Magazine
- QuiltWoman.com
- Sara Lee
- Starbucks
- Sun Trust Bank
- Tenet Healthcare Foundation
- WalMart Foundation
- Washington Mutual Bank
Show your support by utilizing these businesses and supporting these organizations that give back to Project Linus.
Working for Peanuts: The Project Linus Story
Have you ever heard of Project Linus?
Project Linus: No Expertise Needed
Since 1995, Project Linus continues to warm the hearts of children giving them a sense of security, hope, love and warmth.
It is not necessary to be an expert at making handmade blankets for your creation to be beautiful to a child.
Make a difference in the life of a child today!
This is Sharyn's Slant
Comments
I love projects like this...a grassroots effort founded on love and compassion. Excellent hub my friend; thank you for introducing me to this worthy cause.
Sharon,
I have also never heard of this beautiful initiative but am glad to have read this. I will certainly look into this more, especially as holidays approach.
Thank you so much. Voted UP and UABI. Hugs, Maria
I have heard of Project Linus, and it does sound like a wonderful organization. Such a good cause. I have donated many quilts for a different organization in my local area who does something similar. I didn't know about the history of Project Linus and appreciate the info.
What a wonderful thing to do for these children. Such a beautiful and inspiring idea. Thank you for sharing this project with us all - not only does it potentially benefit Project Linus but it reminds readers of the good there still is in this world. Awesome!
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Hi Billy ~ I love projects like these too that are founded on pure compassion. It is my pleasure to introduce you to this worthy cause. Thank you so much for being the first to stop by!
Sharyn
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Hi Maria ~ I also have never heard of many of these wonderful initiatives I am compelled to write about. It's only because of my sister who started a new job recently in the Child Life field that I am learning about these awesome projects, mainly for children. I hope it prompts others to get involved too. Thank you so much for your feedback and votes!
Sharyn
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Hi Shasta ~ I'm not surprised that you have heard of Project Linus with all of your wonderful quilt work and that you have donated many pieces of your work to a similar organization; such a great cause. Thank you so much for your feedback. I sent you a message on Facebook to ask if you'd like me to include a photo of one of your quilts. I would be honored. I appreciate you stopping by.
Sharyn
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Hello Conservative Lady ~ I totally agree and feel that same way, that projects like this do remind us that there is good in the world. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such wonderful feedback.
Sharyn
I have never heard of this. I know several people who are sewers and crocheters... I will pass this on. Thanks for bringing this out and there are so many people willing to share their talents to help others. As always a great job by you.
I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS HUB!! Aww, how awesome! I didn't know about the Linus Project. I have a baby blanket that's about 3/4 of the way finished. I might give this to them. Thank you for sharing my first-ever knit blanket here. :) Sharon - this is such an endearing hub. Thank you for sharing it.
Project Linus is a wonderful program. I encourage everyone to pitch in. Thanks so much for sharing about this special charity for children.
Up awesome and shared. Project Linus is a wonderful charity. I've done some quilts for them. I love charities that let donors use their strengths to help others. Wonderful hub!
This is a great idea! A very good cause. Voted up and shared.
Thanks for sharing this information on a wonderful project. I will definitely be getting involved in this awesome charity:)
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Hi Carol ~ Thank you for the compliments. Yes, there are many people who are willing to share their talents to help others. This is an awesome way to do that. Thanks so much for your feedback.
Sharyn
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Hi CC ~ Awww, thanks. And thank you for allowing me to use the photo of your beautiful knit blanket. I love it. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Sharyn
How sweet is that?! Wow - Sharon I'd never heard of this before...I'd for sure make and donate a quilt!
Thanks for writing this...I'm going to look into it more:)
I love the idea of Project Linus and other non profits like it. I appreciate the simplicity of the donation, but how huge it can be to the recipient. Up and useful!
How sweet this is. Guess I'll get out the knitting needles. I've never heard of this before, thank you for sharing.
lizzee
Sharyn....This is positively moving and heart-warming. A wonderfully loving project to benefit precious children, in need of comfort and smiles. Thank you so much for bringing this project to my attention. Not only is this worthwhile becoming involved, I can think of numerous friends who would like to know about this as well.....Great share!..UP++
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Hello Esmeowl ~ It really is a wonderful program, and I do hope this article will prompt people to pitch in too. Thanks so much for your feedback!
Sharyn
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Hi Glimmer ~ That is SO wonderful that you have donated your quilts to Project Linus. It really is a special cause, and you are extremely special for participating. If you have a favorite quilt picture that you'd like me to add to this hub, I would be glad to do that. Just let me know. Thanks so much for stopping by and also sharing this article.
Sharyn
What a superior idea for a worthy project, Sharon. Thanks for the intro to Project Linus. I shall support it as well as most of its well-known corporate sponsors.
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Hi lindalou ~ Thank you for your feedback, votes and share too! Have a great day!
Sharyn
Thanks for telling people about Project Linus. It is a great project, but just one of many. Another one is the Preemie Project at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital in Iowa City. The following is a link to it:
www.thepreemieproject.com. I have contributed blankets, hats and booties to this worthy project. Voted up and interesting.
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Hello europewalker ~ you are welcome! I'm thrilled to hear you will get involved in this awesome charity too. Best wishes,
Sharyn
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Hi Kelly ~ Aww, thanks. I'm glad you will look into this further. I have down time at my job where I can't leave but there really is nothing to do, so I plan on starting up my crocheting skills again. I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks for checking this out!
Sharyn
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Hi Karen ~ I do too. The simplicity of Project Linus and the impact it can have is awesome. Thanks so much for your comments and votes.
Sharyn
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Hi mslizzee - cool, pull out those knitting needles. I am pulling out my crochet needles :) Thanks so much for stopping by, I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Sharyn
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Hi Paula ~ Thank you so much for the compliments. I was also thinking of people I know that are great at making blankets and would love to get involved in something like this. I appreciate your wonderful feedback and votes. Thank you,
Sharyn
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Hi DrBJ ~ You are very welcome. I'm glad to hear you will support this awesome project. Thank you so much for your feedback.
Sharyn
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Hi joanie ~ You are absolutely correct. Project Linus is just one of many great initiatives. Thanks you for sharing the link to the Preemie Project. I took a look at the site and it is an extremely worthwhile cause as well. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Sharyn
What a great topic for an article! Thanks again for including my picture of my mom's necktie quilt.
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Hi Rose ~ Thank you so much too. I really appreciate the use of the photo!
It's such a do-able initiative. Thanks so much for bringing it to my/our attention.
Voting, sharing and FB it.
This seems to be a very worthwhile charity to become involved with - useful creativity with an individual input all for the benefit of children who genuinely are in need of such material and human comfort.
Thanks for this article, the more we can help such causes the more we can make the world a positively spiritual place to live and thrive in.
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Hi Penelope ~ it really is a very "do-able" initiative. I'm so glad you appreciated this. Thanks for sharing it too.
Sharyn
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Hello Chef ~ You are SO right. The more people that get involved in projects such as this, the world will continue to be a better place to live and thrive. Thank you so much for your touching feedback!
Sharyn
Just came back to say that this is such and endearing program. I just love it!
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Aw, thanks CC!
Such a worthwhile project. How very cool! Voted up and sharing!
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Hi Vicki ~ it really is a very worthwhile project. I appreciate your votes and shares, THANKS!
Sharyn
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