• NEW
• HANDMADE
• WASHABLE

WHAT SAFETY ISSUES DO I NEED TO CONSIDER?
Please use only NEW fabric & yarn. Hospitals have very strict rules against accepting quilts or clothing made from used bedding (i.e. using old sheets as fabric for your blankets).

Please do not attach buttons, long ribbons or ties, or anything that can become a choking hazard.

PLEASE protect your blankets and supplies from exposure to SMOKE and PET HAIR! Once cigarette smoke hits the fabric or yarn, the residue remains even if you cannot detect the odor. Washing, special rinses, and fabric sprays will NOT remove the residue. The residue can trigger severe asthma attacks in ill children. Thank you for protecting the children by making and storing your unfinished blankets and all supplies in smoke-free areas.

We all love our furry companions, and they love to check out those blankets! Unfortunately, their fur can be nearly impossible to remove, especially from fleece. Blankets covered in pet hair will not be passed on to children.

Please check – and double check – your blankets for pins. TAPE your name to each blanket you donate, please don’t attach information with pins.

HOW DO I START?
Each blanket reflects the personal touch our volunteers add for each child. Just pick your favorite pattern – knitted, crocheted, quilted, sewn, or tied – and begin! Our best blanket patterns have come from YOUR ideas.

DO YOU FURNISH SUPPLIES?
Volunteers must supply their own blanket-making materials. When available, yarn and fabric donations are shared with volunteers who have already donated blankets using their own supplies.

WHO RECEIVES BLANKETS FROM THE CINCINNATI CHAPTER?
Project Linus Cincinnati blankets are donated to dozens of agencies, hospitals, and facilities caring for children facing difficult circumstances. Hospitals, social service agencies, family shelters, special camp programs for ill & underprivileged children, pregnancy resource centers, police/fire/paramedic units, emergency rooms—all of these benefit from your donations. These sites are located the Greater Cincinnati area.

WHAT TYPES OF BLANKETS - AFGHANS OR QUILTS OR FLEECE - DO YOU REALLY WANT?
We want, need, and request blankets of ALL types! We encourage you to use our "Blanket Basics" as a guideline for comfort and safety reasons. Some of our sites request quilts, some request fleece, and some request afghans. Most will request a mix of blanket types. It depends entirely on the reason the children need blankets and any health concerns/surgeries a child may face. An important factor social workers consider is whether the child needs the blanket for comfort OR for comfort and protection against the cold. Because we can offer them a variety of types, each child can receive the blanket he/she truly needs.

SHOULD I WASH MY BLANKETS?
Many volunteers have offered to wash their blankets before donating them to Project Linus. This is optional. We appreciate receiving blankets already washed, but please do not hesitate to donate your blankets unwashed or because there are too many to wash.

Blankets can be washed on gentle cycle with any detergent. If you use fabric softener, please use an unscented dryer sheet instead of liquid fabric softeners. If you have additional questions, please contact Kelly (cincinnatilinus@yahoo.com or 513-432-5757).

I WORK WITH CHILDREN WHO REALLY NEED THE COMFORT OF PROJECT LINUS BLANKETS. HOW CAN I GET BLANKETS FOR THEM?
It is our great pleasure to support the work you do for children in need. If you would like to inquire about blankets for a specific site or situation, please email us: cincinnatilinus@yahoo.com.

CAN WE PERSONALLY DELIVER OUR BLANKETS TO CHILDREN?
Due to medical conditions, privacy concerns and very strict federal laws, those professionals who work directly with the children distribute Project Linus blankets. They are in the best position to know which children will benefit most from the gift of a comforting blanket.

In addition to providing comfort, your blankets boost the bond between medical staff and families and, especially, the child. Social workers at Children’s Hospital tell us these blankets are a wonderful way to initiate conversations with their young patients.

CAN I PICK WHERE I WANT MY BLANKETS TO GO AND WHICH KIDS I WANT TO HELP?
Project Linus donation sites care for children struggling with serious life issues of illness, trauma, and poverty. Blankets are sent to these sites based on patients’ needs and medical staff/social workers’ requests. The location you have in mind may already have blankets or request a very specific type of blanket. We work to ensure that your blankets are offered to children who need them NOW. This prevents blanket overflow at one site while another site may desperately need blankets to keep children warm. However, we greatly appreciate your interest in specific locations. If you are aware of a location that is not already served by our chapter, please contact Kelly(cincinnatilinus@yahoo.com) to refer that site or to inform us of a blanket need.

CAN SOMEONE COME AND SPEAK TO OUR GROUP?
YES! A Project Linus speaker will be very pleased to attend your meeting to tell you all about Project Linus. She will tell blanket stories, explain where your blankets may go, and answer any questions your members may have. Please email your request to Kelly Harrington at least 1 month in advance: cincinnatilinus@yahoo.com.

In the event that one of our volunteers is not available for your meeting, we do have a 10-minute DVD you can borrow to present our organization to your members.

DO YOU ACCEPT MONETARY DONATIONS?
We very gratefully accept donations of any size. Project Linus is a volunteer nonprofit organization with full 501(3)c status through the IRS. Your monetary gifts are tax-deductible. Everyone involved with the Cincinnati Chapter is a volunteer.

While blanket donations are the backbone of our organization, there are small expenses incurred with the delivery of each blanket. Any money we need must be raised locally by our volunteers. As little as 50 cents per blanket would go a long way toward meeting those expenses.

Check to see if your employer offers to match gifts for charitable donations or has a 'Dollars for Doers' program. For these donations to benefit the local chapter, they must be designated for the Cincinnati, OH Chapter.

DOES IT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Project Linus receives hundreds of letters and stories from parents, teachers, medical professionals, social workers, and nurses who have personally witnessed the impact your blankets may have.

Don't just take our word for it. Click 'Thank You Notes' link on the homepage to view some of the notes we receive.