Project Linus, Tucson Chapter

February 2012


	BLANKETS: Guidelines
	BLANKETS: Drop-Off Places
	BLANKETS: Patterns
	DONATE, VOLUNTEER or JOIN a Group
	FALLEN HEROES PROGRAM: Blankets for children whose parent/s die in service to our country
	PHOTOS: 2011, Sept. Work Party
	PHOTOS: 2011, March, Far Horizons
	PHOTOS: 2011, Feb., Leadership Conference, UofA
	PHOTOS: 2010, Dec., Monthly Meeting
	PHOTOS: 2010, March, Make-A-Blanket Day

ABOUT PROJECT LINUS:

A HUGE THANK YOU to each of our wonderful volunteers!

Together, you made 5,008 blankets for Project Linus' Tucson Chapter during 2011.

This was 134 fewer blankets than in 2010, and yet our requests from recipient facilities are increasing. We appreciate each blanket that you have made! Please spread the word to your friends, or better yet, bring a friend to our monthly meeting to learn about Project Linus.

Since the inception of this chapter through December 2011, 36,692 blankets were delivered to children in the Tucson area.

When the chapter began in Spring 1999, our goal was to ultimately reach 1,000 children.

Instead, look what's happened!!!! With the help of over 300 women, men and children, who regularly make and contribute blankets, Project Linus Tucson has given the gift of a security to many thousands of children.

There are nearly 400 Project Linus chapters covering all 50 states. Together, volunteers in these chapters have given over 4 million security blankets to children!

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION'S MISSION STATEMENT:

Project Linus is a volunteer non-profit national organization with a twofold 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 hand made blankets and afghans that are lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers".
To provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION'S HISTORY:

Project Linus began in Denver on Christmas Eve 1995 when an article appeared in Parade Magazine entitled, "Joy to the World". Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Eddie Adams, it featured a petite downy-haired little girl who had been undergoing intensive chemotherapy. The article stated that her security blanket helped her get through treatments.

Karen Loucks read the article and decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver's Rocky Mountain Children's Cancer Center.

The idea grew, Charles Schultz's family gave permission to use the blanket-toting Linus as the logo, and Project Linus was born.

Click Here for Full Calendar

Members List:

Coordinator:
Rene Lassise 574-2103
Asst. Coord.:
Dale Shoots 742-3801
NW Area:
Vicki Colovito 219-8283
SE Area:
Kate Havens 870-2603
Jan VandenHeuvel 885-3126
SW Area:
Marge Koeller 578-7115
GREEN VALLEY:
Lois Westervelt 399-1411
FALLEN HEROES:
Marge Koeller 578-7115
KIDS HELPING KIDS:
Dale Shoots 742-3801

Links Section

	KVOA-TV@DEC.2011 MEETING
	PROJECT LINUS, NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
	FLEECE BLANKET EDGES; 5 VIDEOS
	THE CRAYON BOX
	DISAPPEARING NINE PATCH QUILT
	PRAIRIE POINTS ON QUILTS
	10 MINUTE BLOCK QUILT
	QUILTMAKER'S PROJECT LINUS QUILTS
	JUST FOR FUN BLANKET PATTERNS

Project Linus, Tucson Chapter

ANNOUNCEMENTS: (UPDATED 1/21/2012)
Photo left: It's that time of year! The January/February issue of Quiltmaker magazine features a newly designed paper-pieced quilt pattern, made especially for Project Linus. This year's pattern is "Up, Up And Away". Go to our "Links" section (lower lefthand column of this page) to see this 2012 pattern, as well as Quiltmaker Project Linus quilt patterns created for previous years. The Tucson Chapter will not be holding a Make-A-Blanket-Day in 2012, but we would be more than happy to receive your completed "Up, Up and Away" squares, rows of squares, or completed quilts at one of our Blanket Drop-Offs (click on the topic in the upper portion of the lefthand column).
UPDATES MADE ON 1/21/12:
ABOUT PROJECT LINUS:
End-of-year statistics have been posted in this section (lefthand column).
NEW BLANKET-MAKING GROUP:
We have a new blanket-making group that welcomes newcomers. Click on "Donate, Volunteer or Join a Group" (in the lefthand column) for a complete list of groups who welcome new people to help make blankets for Project Linus Tucson.
LETTERS TO LINUS:
All of the Letters received in this section (below) are new.
LINKS:
KVOA-TV filmed and conducted interviews at our December Meeting. Click on the link to KVOA-TV's program in the lower lefthand column of this page. Other links available are to our National Organization's web site and various sites that are sources for patterns and for blanket-making techniques.

New volunteers are always welcome to attend monthly meetings and learn more about Project Linus! Volunteers bring blankets from our drop-off points, and place them on tables. Other volunteers gather the blankets in sizes appropriate to the needs of the various recipient facilities and bag them for delivery. A short business meeting is held. On three occasions throughout the year, volunteers bring a sack lunch and stay until about 3:00 to participate in a Work Party. Complete 2012 CALENDAR is in the lefthand column
Our monthly meetings are held on the campus of Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 E. Ft. Lowell (SW corner of Ft. Lowell Rd. & Tucson Blvd.). Enter from Ft. Lowell and park in the lot at the south end of the campus; we meet in the Multi-purpose room,which is in the building on the west side of that parking lot.

Did you know?
1. ON CHRISTMAS EVE 2011 PROJECT LINUS WAS 16 YEARS OLD! AT THAT POINT IN TIME THE ORGANIZATION HAD DELIVERED OVER 4,000,000 BLANKETS TO CHILDREN WHO ARE IN NEED OF THE LOVE AND COMFORT THAT A SECURITY BLANKET PROVIDES.
2. Karen Loucks Rhinedollar, who founded Project Linus in Denver on Christmas Eve 1995, made afghans? Children love all kinds of snuggly blankets, whether made of yarn, fleece, or cloth. For more about blankets click on topics in lefthand column.
PROJECT LINUS BLANKETS MUST BE HOMEMADE AND NEW (not even gently used), made of clean washable materials that are age-appropriate for the size of the blanket. Because many children have allergies or weakened immune systems, blankets cannot be made of wool, must be free of smoke and other odors, and of pet dander/hair. Be sure to remove all pins; don't attach buttons or removable items that could harm a child.

URGENT NEED FOR BABY BLANKETS!
We have two new recipient facilities that need baby-sized blankets. In order to meet their needs we will need another 40-50 baby blankets per month at minimum! If each of you can find it in your hearts (and hands!) to knit, crochet, or sew just one or two more blankets, it will help us meet the needs of these new facilities.
Of course our need has not diminished for preemie, child and teen blankets either. Thank you to each of our Southern Arizona "blanketeers" for the love and care you put into each security blanket.
If you are new to Project Linus Tucson, you will find our blanket guidelines, patterns and other topics listed in the lefthand column. "Click" on the topic of your choice to access the information.

PHOTOS OF SEPTEMBER 16 MEETING AND WORK PARTY!
Following the usual activities of the monthly meeting (volunteers bring in blankets collected from drop-off locations, sort by sizes, and bag them for delivery to children at our recipient facilities) we held a "Work Party" (see photos by "clicking" in the lefthand column).
Rene Lassise, Marge Koeller and Jody Elmer gave demos of some quilt patterns and Connie Mallette led a group of knitters through the process of making a community afghan. Click in our Links section in the lower part of the lefthand column to go to sites that explain the techniques.
Fabric, batting, yarn and kits were made available for volunteers to take home to make blankets for Project Linus Tucson.

WE ALWAYS NEED DONATIONS OF NEW, CLEAN, WASHABLE, CHILD-FRIENDLY FABRICS, BATTING, YARN and other supplies that volunteers can use to make blankets for children ages 0-18. Please contact one of the Members listed in the lower portion of the lefthand column if you have donations or would like more information.

Thank you to ALL of our volunteers who work so hard in support of our very active chapter!! Each volunteer is an integral part of our Tucson team.

LETTERS TO LINUS

*Note: You will see an asterisk beside the name of some addressees. This is the name of the person who made the blanket. Before we distribute blankets we inspect each one for safety, put a special Project Linus label on it, fold up like a gift, tie with ribbon, and attach a gift card with the first name (only) of the person who made the blanket. Please be sure that you include your name and contact information when you drop off a blanket for Project Linus, so that we can give you credit for making this gift of love, and send you a thank you.

Dear Ginny*,
Thank you for the beautiful quilt you made. My granddaughter and I love it. It's precious, just like I'm sure you are. It's a great gift.

God Bless you Always,
Love, Norene and Starla

Thank you so much for the wonderful handmade blankets. Because our baby was in the Special Care Unit we received one made by Fleicja*. We are also part of Healthy Families Arizona and received one made by Marilyn*. We really appreciate them.
Thank you,
Thank you for the unexpected, but appreciated blanket and Stuffy!
We also received some pullups and a homemade cloth bag to hold it all -- if this was from you also, thanks again! Good work, Troop#1190*
Debra (for baby Michael)

Note: Project Linus provides (only) our volunteers' homemade blankets; those blankets are given to recipient facilities for distribution to children. Some of the facilities receive clothing, stuffed animals and so forth from other sources and present them to families along with our blankets. Perhaps "Stuffy" was a stuffed animal?

Aunt Dot*,
My sweet new baby girl received one of your amazing handmade quilted blankets. What time it must have taken to make such a beautiful blanket. Thank you for sharing your wondeful talent with a total stranger. It is wonderful to snuggle up my little one in the beautiful blanket!
Amy and baby Heidi

Thank you for the beautiful blankets. The children use them every night to be warm. They were greatly appreciated.
The D. Family

Note: To respect the privacy of families, we list only given names, not surnames, on our web page.

Greeting card: "Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a new year full of peace and happiness."
Wow - All the blankets Project Linus has donated have been so amazing. Thank you very much!
Kristine
CODAC Behavioral Health Services

Project Linus,
We want to extend a very special thank you for the wonderful handmade baby blankets. They are truly a treasure and they light up the faces of our families.
Thank you so very much!
The Womens' Center - Social Work Department

E-mail to Project Linus
Subject: Our new daughter arrived with a Project Linus blanket!
Thank you for your lovely work. We just adopted our third child, a two-year-old little girl. She has been through so much, but due to a loving foster mother, was ready to come home in October. She arrived with a Project Linus blanket and we use it in her crib still (e-mail dated December 28).
She is thriving and you would never imagine her early experiences when you see her running and playing and laughing all day long.
The blanket will always remind us of people who were rooting for her and praying for her along her way.

SHARED THOUGHTS
The following is a quote that was shared in memory of one of our Fallen Heros:

"You may die with nothing, but if you have brought a rainbow into somebody else's life, your mission is complete."

(from "In God We Still Trust", Diamond Rio's Greatest Hits II)

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." -Mother Teresa

"I am only one but still I am one. I cannot do everything but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." --Helen Keller

One of our knitters saw this quote on TV and wanted to share it:

A volunteer is love in motion.

Below is a poem that we found on the Project Linus site of the East San Fernando/Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena Chapter:

With Tender Loving Care

I can't be there to hold your hand,
I can't be there to hug you,
I can't be there to dry a tear,
But there is one thing I can do.

I can sit here in my room at night
And dream of you out there,
And make a blanket just for you
With tender loving care.

When you hold this blanket in your arms
And close your eyes real tight,
You can feel the love I tucked inside
When I made this late one night.

So dry your tears and smile a smile,
You aren't alone, you see.
You have this special blanket--
You have a part of me.

Poem by Pam Braden

CHECK OUT OUR LINKS

While you're surfing, why not visit Project Linus' national web site too! Find out more about the national organization, and check out their links to crocheted, knitted, fleece and quilted blanket patterns.

PROJECT LINUS, TUCSON CHAPTER
Tucson, AZ

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