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ABOUT PROJECT LINUS: MILESTONE!!!! TUCSON'S CHAPTER COMFORTS OVER 20,000: As of September 30, 2008 we had delivered 20,000 blankets to children in the Tucson area. When the chapter began, the goal was to ultimately reach 1,000 children. Instead, look what's happened!!!! With the help of over 200 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. As of June 2008 there were 406 Project Linus Chapter. Chapters are in all states of the USA. Together, these chapters had given 2,293,340 security blankets to children!
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION'S MISSION STATEMENT: Project Linus is a volunteer non-profit national organization with a twofold mission.
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. |
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Friday Oct 17
• MONTHLY MEETING
9:30am-12:00pm
Members List:
Links Section
Coordinator:
Marge Koeller
520-578-7115
AsstCoord:
Jody Elmer
520-661-0555
NE Area:
Mary DiMercurio
NW Area:
Elizabeth Stewart
SE Area:
Jan VandenHeuvel
SW Area:
Marge Koeller
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NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Tucson Chapter's web site has been totally revamped! Look to the topics in the upper lefthand column and "click" to get to the information you want. (No more scrolling down a looooooong Home Page.) If you have comments about the web site, please write to the web editor in the CONTACT US section in the lower righthand corner of this page.
The Tucson Chapter holds meetings on the third Friday of each month (see CALENDAR section below left). If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please click on "DONATE--OR--VOLUNTEER" in the upper portion of the lefthand column.
So many other organizations are "thinking green" and posting their newsletters on-line. A great majority of our volunteers have computer access, so we decided we'd join in. You can print it if you prefer a hard copy, or read it on-line.
The Tucson Chapter has hundreds of blanket-making volunteers ("blanketeers") in the Southern Arizona area. This wonderful army of blanketeers has allowed us to exceed our wildest expectations, and surpass our 20,000 blanket goal. Thank you, each and every one. YOU ARE PROJECT LINUS TUCSON!
Project Linus - Thank You
This morning my little girl had tubes put into her ears at the Carondolet Foothills Surgery Center. When we arrived she was given a new blanket, courtesy of Project Linus. I cannot tell you how happy this made her, and how it took her mind off of what else was going on around her. I happened to have my camera with me and thought you might enjoy a picture of your work in action. Thank you for the blanket and the work that you do; it is much appreciated.
A security blanket is just what a child needs.
This letter is from Joni Cruver who delivered one of our "Fallen Heroes" blankets:
March 19, 2008
Good Morning,
Milt and I went to Douglas, AZ last night as they were having the rosary at 7:00 and I knew that would give us a chance to see the family beforehand.
I have to say that last night was an experience that I will truly never forget. the Funeral Director introduced us to Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Pyle. He was Ernesto's first command officer back in 2001 and also was there for Ernesto's first field promotion and all others up through sergeant. So, in the last seven years, he had the privilege of getting to know this young man pretty well. Sgt. Pyle was not with Ernesto for this tour, as he is now stationed at Fort Bliss, TX. However, due to Ernesto's long-term relationship with Sgt. Pyle, he was requested, by the family, to be here as the personal aide to the widow and daughter.
We also had the honor of meeting another young sergeant who was with Ernesto's unit at the time of his death, and who escorted his remains back. There was also a captain who was the personal assistant to Ernesto's parents.
Sgt. Pyle said that he had received a call from the Governor's Office regarding a handmade quilt that was being presented by Project Linus! I was a little surprised. Sgt. Pyle went into the church and escorted the widow back to us and we introduced ourselves and presented her with the quilt. She too, seemed to know about it (the blanket). She was very touched and thanked us. I asked her to give it to her daughter when she felt it was the right time. We did see two little girls playing up in front of the church, so we are assuming that one of them was the daughter. If it was, these girls were both very young. The widow was VERY young. It just broke my heart to have to see this young family go through this.
I was very honored to be in the company of these fine soldiers last night, and very honored to be there on behalf of Project Linus' Fallen Heroes Program. All three soldiers came up and thanked us profusely for doing what we do and for being part of such an outstanding program. Since I am a newcomer to Project Linus, I am passing this along to you to share with all of those blanketeers who make this program such a success. I want to thank you for this life-altering experience. I hope, as we all do, we never have to give one of our wonderful quilts away again, but in the event that we do, I will be there to do whatever needs to be done.
Let's keep these men and women in our thoughts and prayers, and may they all return safely to their families.
Love, Joni
Project Linus:
Your support of Arizona's Children Association during this past year brought hope to children and families across Arizona. Thanks to your generosity, we served more than 45,000 children and families in programs such as:
- Our statewide KARE Centers, serving grandparent caregivers who are "parenting again".
- Child Haven, welcoming vulnerable children who have been neglected and abused.
- The Independent Living Skills program, serving teens "aging out" of foster care with nowhere to go, and
- Las Familias, working with victims of sexual assault to begin the healing process.
These programs, and more, would not be possible without your generous support. On behalf of our Board of Directors, our staff, and the children and families we serve.
Thank you!
An "Exceptional Volunteer Award" plaque was presented to Project Linus in April 2008. It states "In Recognition of your Deep Commitment and Outstanding Devotion to Arizona's Children Association". We were most honored to receive this recognition!
To Project Linus
Dear Friends:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and families of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona, I want to thank you for the donation of blankets for the children staying at the house. We always look forward to your visits, and seeing the originality and thought put into the creation of the blankets. Your thoughtfulness and belief in our mission and your support of the Ronald McDonald House is truly a gift. We thank you for opening your hearts and caring about others.
The children and their families join me in my thanks. We send our best to you.
Sincerely, Matt Hitchcock, House Manager, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Tucson
Dear Friends at Project Linus,
A heartfelt thank you for the lovely blankets! Lots of times as babies leave the hospital we see them wrapped in your beautiful creations. The fact that moms are using them right away is an indication of how appreciated and valued they are! Your work has brought countless smiles to the faces of our new parents. What a wonderful, generous gift it is that you provide!
Sincerely, Martha Mckibben, Womens' Center, Northwest Medical Center
August 30, 2007
Dear Ms. Reif & Volunteers,
Thank you for yur thoughtful donation of providing us with handmade, touched with love, blankets for our children, all to benefit Tu Nidito Children and Family Services.
Please know that your support is extremely important to our non-competitive programs, which provide individual and group support to children and families who are dealing with the most difficult times imaginable: the diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness, or the death of a parent, sibling, or other loved one.
We exist for children like Annie. Twelve-year-old Annie is very fond of the color pink and is curious about the people and things around her. She loves coloring, doing art projects, skating, swimming, ballet and horseback riding. When Annie was six, she had a liver transplant. As a result of her transplant, she developed post-transplant lymphoma at age 11. At Tu Nidito, Annie and her family have become connected to other families who are battling a serious illness. For Annie, Tu Nidito is a safe haven where volunteers play games with her and make her smile.
We appreciate your support. We exist because the generosity of the community allows us to support over 800 children like Annie each year.
Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of these children and families when it counts the most.
Sincerely, Liz McCusker, Executive Director, Tu Nidito
August 27, 2007
Recently our newborn son was hospitalized at the University hospital in Tucson for some heart defects, and during his stay he received a blanket from the Project Linus group. We really appreciate the time and thoughtfullness of the volunteers who give comfort to those during rough times. We especially want to thank Casa Amigas of Sun City Vistoso who made our son's blanket. Beautiful workmanship!
Love, the Bakki's
"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 sit here in my room at night
When you hold this blanket in your arms
So dry your tears and smile a smile,
Poem by Pam Braden
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.
And dream of you out there,
And make a blanket just for you
With tender loving care.
And close your eyes real tight,
You can feel the love I tucked inside
When I made this late one night.
You aren't alone, you see.
You have this special blanket--
You have a part of me.
CHECK OUT OUR LINKS
Each year the magazine publishes a quilt pattern specifically designed in support of Project Linus' national organization. Past years' designs have included "Play Ball", "Single Scoop" (ice cream cone), "Happy Cats", and "Hearts for Linus".
Use our "Links" section to get patterns from the "Quiltmaker" web site.
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.
"Quiltmaker" magazine, in its January/February 2008 issue published the "Hopes & Dreams" quilt pattern, by Matthew Pridemore, of Gilbert, AZ. Matthew is the husband of renowned quilt designer Heidi Pridemore.
