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 Sad News My wonderful Dad, Jim Kathios, who was 86 years old, died on Friday, July 11. He loved Project Linus, and filled my gas tank each month so that I could deliver blankets all over NH. He loved children (he and my Mom raised six of us) and was thrilled that he could help comfort children in crisis. He was worried about families facing challenges trying to heat their homes this winter, and I assured him before he died that the people of NH would open their hearts and wallets and send in a dollar or two to keep our mission up and running. DAD-You were amazing, and we miss you every moment of every day. Love,Maureen |
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Blanketeers
Links Section
Coordinator:
Maureen Brown
Webmistress:
MchstrBlanketeer
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| Saturday, September 6, 2008 |
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Dear Friends, When I put out the call for someone to take over our chapter, the Blanketeers at the Riverside Rest Home stepped up to take over the bulk of the Coordinator duties. During the next few months, I will continue as the "official" Coordinator while Linda Davis and Pam Dupee, both nurses at Riverside, begin their adventure in taking over the Chapter. Linda will become the new Coordinator in January, and Pam will assist her with the many administrative duties. We will soon upload this information on our website. In the meantime, please continue to contact me via email or through this website. Linda and Pam are warm and caring individuals who have been instrumental in the success of the NH Seacoast Chapter. Their love for children and their passion to help every child in crisis is nothing short of amazing. Maureen Kathios Brown |
During 2007, we delivered 1,958 blankets to local hospitals, shelters, children centers and the Division of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). When children are removed from abusive environments, they spend time with the social worker while a foster parent is located. The social worker allows the child to go to the blanket closet to choose their very own blanket. When the child chooses a blanket, they are surrounded with love and security, and it is usually the first time the social worker sees a smile. We also ensure that any child who loses a parent or sibling to the current war is comforted with a blanket. During the severe flooding in NH, we delivered hundreds of blankets to children in need.
How can you help? If you can make a blanket, we will take it!! Please remember, it must be hand made and machine washable. If you are not the crafty type, please consider donating supplies or gift cards. Many times a volunteer is retired, on a fixed income, and has a great desire to craft blankets for children. Yet, they do not have the financial resources to do so. With the yarn and fabric donations, we are able to provide these crafters with all the supplies they need to make a blanket. We are thrifty Yankees who seek out clearance sales, use coupons, and stretch every single dollar that is donated. Not one penny is wasted, so your donations result in the crafting of beautiful blankets of love for children in need.
This year, as of June 30th, 2008, we delivered 572 Blankets, which brings our grand total to 4,444!!!
Project Linus blankets must be new, handmade and washable. It has always been our mission to donate only handmade blankets. We receive many thank you notes from children who express how touched they are that a stranger would take the time to make something special just for them. They really know the difference. Purchased blankets are nice, but handmade blankets are from the heart, just like a warm hug. Some Blanketeers will use a purchased blanket and then add loving touches such as appliques, crocheted trim around the edges, etc. These are perfectly acceptable, as they are unique and special. Thank you for helping to make sure that Project Linus blankets are safe and healthy, and will bring love, comfort and security to a child in need.
We like to have a variety of sizes on hand. For example, blankets could be as small as 36" X 36". The majority of Project Linus blankets are about 40" X 60", or what is called crib size. Blankets could be as large as 45"X 75" or twin size (64" x 99") for teens. Our chapter is in need of larger size blankets right now, as we have a good stock of baby blankets on hand.
Single layer fleece blankets are great for summer. Double layer fleece are especially needed throughout the Fall & Winter months.
Whether they are made of fabric, yarn or fleece, all blankets need to be machine washable.
Please take special care to ensure that blankets are free of smoky smells or any chemicals which could jeopardize the health of the child.
Check blankets carefully for forgotton pins, and please do not use embellishments such as buttons that could come loose and be swallowed.
Barrington Blanketeers Aidan Henry, Cole William
Plaistow Brownie Blanketeers
Blanket recipient Concord Hospital
See how that lovely quilt brightens up her sterile environment!
Wentworth Douglass Hospital Pediatrics
Concord Hospital Pediatrics Unit
St Joseph's Hospital, Nashua
Seacoast Cancer Center
Div of Children, Youth and Families
Richie McFarland Children’s Center
Dover Children’s Home
Nashua Children's Home
David's House
Planned Parenthood
Webster House
Baby Threads, Belmont
Newborns In Need, Kingston
CARENET Pregnancy Center in Nashua
Avis Goodwin Community Center
Barrington Elementary School
Seabrook Elementary School
Greenland Central School
Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network
The HUB Family Resource Center
Victims Inc, Rochester
Strafford County CAP
Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Frisbee Memorial Hospital
Children and Siblings of NH Soldiers who have been critically injured or died in combat
Children facing traumatic circumstances such as sudden loss of parent or guardian or major home damage due to fire or flooding
The NH Seacoast Chapter was established in 2002, and we are growing at steady pace. Here is proof! In 2002, we delivered 3 blankets; in 2003 we delivered 54 blankets; in 2004 we delivered 253 blankets, in 2005 we delivered 446 blankets. In 2006 we delivered a grand total of 1,158, and in 2007, we delivered 1.958!!!!!!
Wentworth Douglass Hospital accepting blanket number 1000 crafted and donated by Janice Sanborn of Durham NH, who has donated hundreds of beautiful quilts to our Chapter
