San Jose Project Linus

TAPS KIDS WITH PROJECT LINUS BLANKETS!

2009-08-05T19:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Jenny, Julia, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Kathy, and Barbara,

Wanted to send you some pictures of kids, teens, and returning troops who received the gift of love from Project Linus blanketeers! You all have been phenomenal with your talents and I want to send you some pictures for your websites!

I have had the honor of giving blankets to the children and to the troops who felt they were all on their own when they returned - and they were so proud when someone (YOU ALL!) remembered them with a blanket!

Thank you again for answering the call for the troops and their families.

Sincerely,

Judith Mathewson, Lt Col, AKANG

Thank You

2009-08-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

Hello,
My son is currently in the Santa Clara Kaiser NICU and we were fortunate to receive a beautiful quilt from your organization. This quilt is very special to us as it adds a special touch to my son's little isolette. He came early and we never had a baby shower so to receive a special gift for our bundle or joy meant a lot to us. We will continue to use this quilt when we get home and it will go in his baby box when he out grows it so he can remember the quilt that comforted him, mommy and daddy while we awaited his release from the NICU. Its nice to see the blankets and quilts on the little isolettes of the other babies in the NICU too. It allows us to give our babies something special over the beds instead of the hospital blankets. I can't tell you how much it means to be given something special for our little one especially since we never had the time to go pick out something special for him ourselves.
Thank You,
Mary Lou and David H.

Blanket

2009-08-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the blanket, it made my daughter feel better.

Thanks.

Regards,
Lola

Blanket Donation

2009-08-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

We were given a blanket by the project during our first week our child
was in Santa Clara Kaiser's NICU. It was made by Phyllis and was pink
with crocheted white trim. It is beautiful like our daughter! It was
comforting to have a handmade blanket on our daughter's isolette to
show everyone that the pink one was our daughter! Thank you so much,
we have pictures of it on her isolette to show her when she is older.
We really appreciate the kindness and the time of the volunteers that
make these blankets.

With Love,

Jennifer and Kawika H.

Thank you for INA

2009-08-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Ina of Project Linus,

Our family would like to sincerely thank you for the gorgeous white blanket we received while in NICU. Baby James was born on July 22nd and immediately checked in to NICU for pneumonia. During his stay, Paige gave us this lovely good blanket to take home with us. James is now home with us and healthy as ever.

We are forever grateful to the wondeful staff of the NICU and Project Linus for the incredible gift.

Sincerely,

Jim, Jennifer, and Baby James

Thank you

2009-08-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

Thank you Katie and Project Linus for such a beautiful blanket. Our son Jett was in the NICU at Good Samaritan Hospital. He was born 5 weeks early and since we were still in the process of getting things ready we hadn't washed anything for him. We are very thankful for the blanket, it kept him nice and warm in an air conditioned hospital. This is such a great organization to be able to help children and parents in a memorable way.

Jett, Jenna and Jerry G.

Thank You!

2009-08-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Project Linus!
Thank you so much for our beautiful blankets. My daughters, Nicole and Brooke, and I love them. Thank you for all the love you put into making these precious blankets. My daughters love them so much that they are constantly holding them. They lost their Daddy, Commander Michael "Storm" N. in April 2002. These blankets are a reminder to us of our TAPS family, those who have also lost a loved one in the military and those who support and care for us like your organization. Thank you for your love.
God Bless,
Sylvia N.

Thanks (and Farewell) to Dolores Wright Tuesday May 19 1pm & 7pm

2009-05-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

We will be celebrating Dolores' 6 years of service as coordinator of the South Bay/ San Jose, CA chapter of Project Linus at two 'gatherings' this month. Though we usually only have one session per month (either 1pm or 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday of the month), we wanted to give everyone an opportunity to come and say good-bye to Dolores as she and Bill are moving to Seattle by the end of the month, to be closer to family.

Please join us at either 1pm or 7pm at Dolores' home (2274 Elkhorn Ct. San Jose 95125).

It would be GREATLY APPRECIATED if you would please let Dolores know which session you'll be joining in on, so we can be sure to have enough chairs... :-)

Please contact Dolores at sjlinus@sbcglobal.net or 408-723-8097.

Hope to see you there!

Sharon Lee,
Incoming Chapter Coordnator

Barbara Ross
Incoming Asst. Chapter Coordinator

Thanks

2009-04-11T10:54:00.001-07:00

HI there,
We received a beautiful hand knit blanket for our baby when he was in the NICU at Good Samaritan Hospital! We just wanted to take a moment to say thank you and express our appreciation for your volunteers. It is a very sweet and unxpected gift and we will treasure it!

Jackie and Luc

From a Mother who's child was in GoodSam

2009-03-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

My daughter was at Good Sam Hospital for 6 weeks. It was a very difficult time for our family. She was given a blanket made by one of your volunteers (Shirley). It brought a smile to her face, and truly gave her comfort.

Thank you for the blessing,

Lori

Another thank you

2009-03-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

I got this email address off the chapters section of projectlinus.org and just wanted to send you a very big thank you. Both of my children were hospitalized at the same time, My son in PICU and daughter on the pediatric floor of Santa Clara Kaiser for breathing problems. It has been a very hard time for our family and when they were admitted we hadn't been expecting a hospital stay so all we had was the clothes on our back, so these blankets that they recived helped add so much warmth to their hospital stay (and a splash of color in the hospital). They both cherish their blankets. Thank you so much for your volunteering and donation, we greatly appriciate all the work you do.

thank you so much,
-Danni

From hadquarters

2009-03-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Every little stitch…..

How long does it take to make a memory? A
moment? A lifetime? Sometimes the moment IS the
lifetime and that becomes the memory to grasp.

The young mother sat in the rocking chair holding
her precious daughter in her arms. The tiny
infant was wrapped in a soft, pale pink blanket
with a shell stitch. As the mother rocked her
child, she sang the song that mothers have sung
for generations…”Lullaby and goodnight…” At the
same time, she traced the tiny features on baby
Danielle’s face and hands -- perfect fingers,
tiny button nose, rosy mouth that looked like she
had been kissed by an angel. Eyes closed,
motionless, silent. Tears rolled down the
mother’s cheeks as she sang and rocked and looked
at her newborn daughter - the daughter she had
anticipated and loved before she was even conceived.

She expected to be rocking her baby in her newly
decorated nursery, not a funeral home. She
expected to be welcoming family and friends to
meet little Danielle, not greeting them at her
wake. She expected to be choosing between
onesies and a full layette of pink outfits
perfect for a petite newborn princess. None of this was to be.

Instead, she held her daughter whose dreams would
not be fulfilled. Her daughter whose life ended
before it even began. Her daughter would never
wear those frilly dresses and bonnets. Her
daughter was swaddled in a blanket hand made by
another mother…perhaps a mother who knew the
heartbreak of loss. She noticed a small blue and
white tag sewn inside the blanket – Project
Linus. How kind that someone she had never met
would take the time to make such a beautiful
blanket, the only one Danielle would ever know.

When it was time to say the final goodbye to
Danielle, the mother chose to keep the blanket –
the only thing her daughter had ever touched. It
would become one of her most cherished
possessions, the only thing she would have left besides her memory.

Thanks to the generosity of Project Linus
volunteers, Hansen Mortuary in Phoenix, Arizona
provides bereavement blankets for families whose
dreams have been shattered with the death of
their child. The families who received these
blankets are moved beyond words to have one
thing, one precious thing, to keep that once held their baby.

To the volunteers who make these special
blankets, you have your own story as to why you
choose this particular mission. Many of you have
losses of your own or are close to someone who
has experienced this unique grief. For some of
you, this is your way of paying it
forward. Thank you for the humble healing
mission you have chosen. You will never know the
depth and breadth of your gift.

An adoptee's Mother

2009-03-11T12:49:00.001-07:00

To Project Linus,

I just recently finished my kinship class so I can hopefully adopt a close family friend. We were all given blankets for our children. I would just like to thank you for the blankets. My children were so happy to get them. They were all beautiful. Thank you for all you do for children in our area.

Amanda

See-it all works!!

2009-03-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Project Linus,

We would like to thank you for the adorable blanket. Our little one, Jacey, is in the NICU at O'Connor Hospital. The blanket is keeping her incubator covered while she sleeps and gets stronger.

Nicole and Peter

This is a family member who adopts a child

2009-03-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Everyone;

I have just completed my eight week session of the Foster Pride /Adopt Pride Kinship/Relative training. Where at the end of this eight weeks I receive a beautifully hand crafted blankets, and I just wanted to take a few minutes out of our busy day and give everyone there that made these beautiful blankets in your group a sincere Thank you, for your beautiful generous gift for my grand daughter Cheyanne; if Cheyanne could talk I am sure this is what she would say so I am just saying it for her.

Thank you!

Todays thank you

2009-02-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

Hello~

I just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for making an isolette cover for our daughter Natalia. She was born at 25 1/2 weeks and is at the NICU in Santa Clara Kaiser. This blanket has been used to keep out light and reduce noises so that she can continue to sleep and have time to mature and grow.

We appreciate you taking the time to make this and we are getting good use from it.

Thanks again,

Another tear jerker thank you

2009-01-31T11:21:00.000-08:00

Nearly 5 years ago, my daughter Wendy Ford and her family (husband
Thomas, 10 year old Haley and 8 year old Patrick) attended a birthday
dinner for my other daughter Ronni. As they were on their back to
their Scottsdale, AZ home, on a Wednesday night at 8 p.m., a drunk
driver crashed into their van at nearly 60 mph. My daughter Wendy
died at the scene and little Haley died 20 days later at Phoenix
Children's Hospital as a result of her severe head injuries.
Fortunately, both Thomas and Patrick survived the physical impact of
the crash. The young 27 year old drunk driver is now serving 18 years
in prison.

For 20 days we hoped and prayed that our little Haley, an
accomplished dancer, would survive. When she ultimately succumbed to
her brain trauma, our family was asked, very lovingly by Donor
Network of Arizona, if we would be willing to donate her organs.
Without much hesitation, we agreed. After being taken off life
support for a very short time, Haley was declared legally brain
dead. For the next 24 hours, she was once again given oxygen to
maintain her healthy organs for transplant. Her heart was donated to
a 10 year old girl in California and her other organs to unknown
older recipients.

By now you may be wondering why such a sad story has been included in
your Project Linus newsletter..

..the reason is, during that 24 hour
"wait" period of determining who would be a match for Haley's organs,
our precious darling was given a light blue crocheted blanket from
YOU, Project Linus... it was heartwarming, even in a time of our
worst sorrow, to know that someone, who would be forever unknown to
our family, had taken the time to lovingly create this cover for little Angel.

**************

New Thank you

2009-01-15T19:32:00.000-08:00

ThanK You so much for this great gifts May the Lord Bless You and may his light

continue to shine !you are a great blessing to many

Thanks

2008-12-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

1a.: Snowball Express

Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:30 am (PST)

For us, it's all over but the celebrating. For the moms and kids, today
is their day at Disneyland. The sun is shining, after a day of heavy
storms yesterday, and I know they will have the time of their lives. Our
Linus group was at the hotel from 10:30 am until 8:30 pm. We went with
1,000 blankets and there were 14 left when my helpers packed up to leave.
These were left at the registration desk for any late-comers. I can't
begin to tell you what a joy (and sorrow) to meet these wonderful people,
many of whom are truly struggling to survive, both financially and
emotionally, and are so grateful for this respite. The Snowball Express
group were there to meet their planes (donated by airlines), help them
register and get to their beautiful hotel rooms (also donated by the
hotels) and orient them to the activities planned for them and to
Southern California. Although we are rather cool for us this week, many
had left below 0 temps and blizzards.

Time and again we heard high praise for the roles that Project Linus,
TAPS and Gold Star Mothers have played in their lives. We can once again
pat ourselves on our backs for a job well done--and continuing. Thanks
again to all of you coordinators out there across this great country of
ours for helping to make this donation possible. It was truly the
highlight of our year, once again. It's hard to get back to normal. But
someone has just reminded me that Christmas is coming--soon! Oh, dear.
Fortunately, my grandsons will understand if is rather sparse this year.
They have very generous natures and, as teenagers, donate their time
often and regularly.

Thank you for this rare opportunity.
Cappy Brown
Project Linus Anaheim, CA
__________________________________________________________

Thanks from TAPS

2008-09-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

On 9-11, I received a thank you from TAPS to share with all of you who
are helping with the mission of the children of TAPS. It brought back
so many memories of when we all banded together and got blankets back to
the East Coast. To me, the silence of no aircrafts in the skies was
frightening...and then Angelf Flight West and Air America were
authorized to fly first with blood services.

Recently when I asked for help for TAPS, there were 62 Chapter Coords
who signed on and have been continuing to help . Thank you one and all
for your compassion!

TAPS shared this message:"There's a
country of America which you have to defend, but there is also the idea
of America.America is more than just a country,...it is an idea!"

Thank you one and all,

Gratefully,

Barb McLean, PL Coord No Idaho and Spokane Wa Chapter

Thank you --=-TAPS

2008-06-02T09:10:00.001-07:00

Hello,

My name is Sue Pascal. My boys and i recently attended the TAPS national survivor seminar in Washington DC. We each received a blanket from Project Linus the San Jose chapter. The ladies that made them Were Shirley K., Amanda Ward, and Connie. I had bought a thank you card for each of these ladies, but there is no address for me to send them to. I checked the website and the only contact i have is this email address. Is there an address i could send a thank you too?

The blankets are absolutely beautiful. I really love the fact that they are red white and blue. My husband was a Marine, and I am trying very hard to instill patriotism in each of my boys. The beautiful blankets are a reminder of that every time we pull them out to use them.

Thank you again.

Sue

About TAPS and Cancer Camps

2008-05-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

These past 12 to 14 months have really been a test and a testimony to
the bonds that tie for Project Linus! Every time there was a need for
TAPS, you were there and once again you have reached the goal of 900
blankets for the Good Grief Camp for Memorial Day in Washington DC.

Recently I was reading some quotes of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the
one that really touched my heart was when she said, "I know that God
will never give me more than I can handle...but I just wish He didn't
trust me so much!" You have no idea how many time I have looked up to
the Heavens and said, "oh please...enough already!"...

and then I laugh
and know in my heart that this "Yah yah sisterdhood of PL Coords" will
come through and our missions will succeed.

This Chapter and several of my other coord friends in the area are
struggling with depleated inventories. Now we are facing the western
Montana, Idaho and
eastern Washington...to the Cascades, Cancer Kids Camp that is held in
Post Falls Idaho each year. If anyone has a blanket t or two that they
can spare

(FYI)_ I just sent off 12 fleece blankets to the Cancer Camps....

A Note from a Valley Med recepient

2008-05-14T09:15:00.001-07:00

Dear Special People:

My daughter just left Valley Medical Hospital after 19 days.

A very kind Foster-Grandmother in the playroom brought us one of your

beautiful rainbow colored throws. It brightened up her room and gave her

something warm and soft to cuddle up with during the long and sometimes

lonely days and nights

I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated all your time and

energy. It was very "SPECIAL"

Yvonne Burgara and her Mother.

From TAPS

2008-05-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Dolores, I just got down to the bottom of your box of blankets (while packing them in plastic sacks for the trip to Washington DC) for the children of the military members and found your brochure! Thank you so much for the beautiful, handmade blankets!!

On behalf of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Good Grief Camp, I really appreciate your efforts! The blankets are on their way to Washington DC as I type this for the Memorial Day camp to assist children and teens on their grief journey. Please know that they are greatly appreciated - and you are, too -for your dedication to helping these children whose parent or sibling has paid the ultimate price for our country.

I am so honored that your chapter from San Jose is committed to helping "our" children and teens feel comforted in such a difficult time. Thank you!!!

Sincerely,

Judy Mathewson, TAPS Good Grief Camp

Thank you from Snowball Express

2008-05-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

Subject: Thank you

I would like to send a heartfelt "Thank you" to your organization for the handmade blankets my children received at the 2007 Snowball Express event in CA. One of the blankets was tagged with "Shirley's" name on it from your chapter ~ Again "Thank you" and know that each time they wrap themselves in them they feel your love and warmth.

Many blessings from "A grateful family"

this was received the same day as delivery

2008-05-02T13:13:00.001-07:00

Hi,

Just wanted to say a big thank you for the wonderful blankets and quilts that you take the time to make and bring to El Camino Hospital NICU. The families love them and we appreciate all your hard work. A big thank you to everyone involved.

Jill

Jill Byrne, RN

Nursing Unit Coordinator, NICU

El Camino Hospital

650-940-7153

Report from the Children's Discovery Museum

2008-01-04T16:48:00.000-08:00

We wanted to let you know how much fun we had today : )

We were the 12-2 shift at the Discovery Museum, and it felt so good to reach out to so many families and actually show them what Project Linus is all about!

With the help of many (kids & adults), we finished four of the fleece blankets! We also cut and prepared three more for the next shift.

The highlight of our day was when a man approached the table and told us that his son was a recipient of a Linus blanket four years ago! His son was born prematurely and weighed only 4 lbs . . . he wanted us to know how very much it meant to him and his wife to have received such a touching gift at a very emotional and difficult time in their lives.

I am happy to report that I met the little guy, who is now a healthy and happy 4 year old, and he told me that it is still his favorite blanket and that he sleeps with it every night : )

We felt honored to represent Project Linus today, and look forward to being a part of this organization for years to come.

from a CASA case worker (Court appointed advocates)

2007-08-06T17:33:00.000-07:00

I am a Casa for a six year old boy who has had a very rough time of it. He is the youngest of four sibs who are all placed in different foster homes. The children have been badly neglected, and abused quite possibly all of their lives. This little boy just finished playing on a T-ball baseball team and loved it. He is quite athletic. He is also still a baby in many ways. The blanket (fleece with baseballs as a design) was perfect for him. He could not believe it was just for him, that he could take it where ever he went, and when I spoke to his foster mom she said he was sleeping with it at night. He cries at night he told me, because he misses his mommy.

So keep up the good work, and thank you on behalf of my little guy who doesn't read or write yet.
Barbara

thank you

2007-06-21T08:52:00.001-07:00

This note is to Delores. You made a blanket which my son received at the Ronald McDonald House on Monday. Your name was attached to the blanket. My son was allowed to choose this blanket out of several choices. At 7, he was very impressed that a woman who doesn't know him would care enough to sew him a blanket out of his favorite theme (sports). He believes that Delores sewed this blanket with him in mind and this is the blanket she intended for him to choose. 'How else could it be so perfect for me?'

He loves the blanket. He insisted on sleeping with it the night before his surgery even though, in truth, the blanket was probably intended for a much smaller child. He wanted to take it into the hospital with him. In the recovery room, we saw other children with their blankets from your project.

We had to drive 6 hours home to Eureka. Our son was nauseus the whole way and we used the blanket rolled up as a pillow. Isaac is still insisting on sleeping with this blanket even though we are home and he is much better.

These kids don't have a lot of choices or control over things. They're scared and for many of them rightfully so. Never underestimate what you are doing. A child can understand intuitively that their most basic need next to food is warmth and even a symbol of that from someone they don't know is touching to them and their parents.

Thank you for your time.

Vicky Rosser

A little boy is helped at Kaiser Santa Clara

2007-06-12T13:15:00.001-07:00

Thank you so much for your generosity when of our son Jaden was in the Santa Clara Kaiser PICU. Your compassion truly helped us through the most awful and scariest time of our lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. As you can see from the attached photo, he is doing great and back on his drum set.
Our deepest gratitude,
Jodi, Pete & Jaden Maspaitella

Letter from Valley Med

2007-02-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to everyone working with the Project Linus program. Your generous donations to the Pediatric Unit at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center are greatly appreciated. With the blankets, we are able to provide a warm welcome to each of our youngest patients and help to provide a "homey" atmosphere to their hospital stay.

Your generosity is certainly building a better community.

With much thanks,
Kathleen.

Kathleen Dolci, MA, Manager

Thank you note from CASA

2006-10-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hi - I am Barbara and I am a CASA for two adorable little ones.

Desiree is just turned three and will be given the quilt made by Hannah.

Joseph is three months old and will be given the blanket made by gayleen.

I wanted the ladies to know their lovely works of art will find a home where they will be appreciated.
Thanks
Barbara

Thank yous keep coming in

2006-09-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I am a foster mother in San Mateo County. I received one of your beautiful blankets for my foster daughter, Eliana. The blanket was made by “Dolores.” Ellie is now 14 months old and is of Mexican decent. She loves the blanket and so do I. It is the only thing she has that is truly “homemade” and I wanted you to know how much it means to her. She is a beautiful, loving child and it warms my heart to know that one of your ladies made the blanket especially for her. We think that we will be able to adopt Ellie since her birth mother is unable to care for her and I will see that she keeps the blanket into adulthood.

Thank you very much for all your hard work. It really means to the world to our children.

Regina Deihl

Foster Mother of Eliana

Another heart warming story

2006-07-22T09:42:00.000-07:00

Subject: Recent death of my Grandsons' grandfather

I have been meaning to send this to you for some weeks but the time seems
to get away from me everyday. I wanted to pass on a little something my
7 year old grandson said after receiving a quilt that Dee Watson made.

She had given me 4 to let my two grandsons, Jimmy, age 11 and Matt, age
7, to each pick one following the recent death of their grandfather (my
daughter-in-law's father). I set them down in our living room floor and
explained to them that Project Linus often presented children with a
blanket to help them through their sadness and as a way to remember their
grandfather. They were both well aware of the work I do making blankets
for Linus so they understood about the organization. I told them that
every time they used the blanket they would remember their grandfather
and know he had loved them very much. Matt had a hard time picking from
the four as he liked them all but Jimmy quickly picked one with different
fish scenes all over it. They were all so beautiful I can well
understand Matt's problem with choosing the one he finally settled on.

My daughter-in-law told me the next day at the funeral, that Matt had
come down that morning to the kitchen all wrapped up in his quilt. His
mother said "Matt, do you really like your new blanket"? He told her
that he knew his Grandpa was up in Heaven but he was all wrapped up in
his love.

And fellow blanketeers, that is why we do the work we do!

Matt could not have put it better.

Another heart warming story

2006-07-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I'm back - after having my computer in the shop off and on for
about 5 days. I felt like I was completely cut off from the world!

In the many emails in my inbox, I received the following from one of the
Directors for Royal Family Kids Camp:

"Just got back from Royal Family Kids' Camp. WOW! What a week! It's so
fun to watch the kids as they anticipate getting a blanket. The returning
kids tell them that they will get a special blanket that night. So-o-o it
was 95 degrees and we were handing out blankets!! But they wrapped up in
them and enjoyed them anyway! We had one girl who had prayed for a pink
blanket. Guess what she got. Yep, pink. We didn't know.

Another girl was scared of bugs-she got a lady bug quilt and we worried that
she wouldn't like it because of the bug fear. (We didn't know when her
blanket was selected.) By the end of the week, she was CATCHING bugs for a
bug box and enjoying her blanket. The kids were delighted with their
blankets-lots of smiles. At breakfast, a number of them had their blankets.

AND there were blankets that showed up from previous years as their campers
returned for another year of camp. The kids talked about how much they love
their blankets and take them when they have to move. One little boy I'll
call Freddy had just left an adoptive placement (it wasn't finalized) in
what we term a "failed adoption." He was afraid of everything and so very
sad. My heart ached for him. The second night he went to bed more easily,
all wrapped in the comfort of his new blanket. So sweet. Thanks to you and
all those who make these treasured blankets for kids."

Royal Family Kids Camp is for kids who are in foster care that have been
neglected, abused, abandoned, etc. They pretty much have one counselor per
child at the camp.

Donna Aten

Boise/SW Idaho Chapter

www.LinusIdaho.org

Thought you would enjoy this story

2006-07-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

I loaded the truck last night and planned to go to Childrens Mercy Hospital
in Downtown Kansas City this morning. Woke and it was raining....geezzz
we've been waiting for rain forever....but on blanket delivery day? Well I got in
the truck and drove 40 minutes in the rain to discover that the hospital as
consturction all around it and where I normally drive right to the front
door. Not today, I must park at the end of the side walk and take a little walk
to the door. I run in get several wagons that they have for children to ride
in and bring them back out where my wonderful husband is standing the rain
unloading. I loaded up 2 wagon loads and as I'm walking back to the entrance
there's a protected area where a little boy with and IV is sitting in a wagon
leaning on a pillow. His grandma smiled at me and said he just begged to go
out and see the rain...he's been inside for a month so they let me bring him
out here....he still looked so sad though.... I took the wagons on in out
the rain and grabbed a blanket out of one of the bags and as I passed to go get
another load I handed this little guy a blanket. He just grinned so big and
said to his grandma, we go back in now. Made my day and if it hadn't been
raining I would have missed giving this little guy his blanket.
Sorry this is so long but I wanted to share with you.

Patty Gregory
KansasCity Project Linus

Another note from National

2006-06-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, May 30, 2006, at 11:28 PM, I gave birth to my son, Brenden,
following an induced labor. Though I was full term and he was a healthy
7lbs. 3 oz., he had a very faint heartbeat and would not breath. A code
pink was called, and several people from the NICU staff came running
in. That night, my sons life was saved.
When Brenden was four days old, on Saturday, June 3, myself, my mother,
and my grandmother noticed that Brenden was looking horrible, not to
mention sleeping way more than newborns do, would not nurse- though he
acted like he was starving, and looked severely jaundiced. He was
breathing rapidly, had a 104 degree fever, and seemed very pale and
floppy. So there we went, rushing him to the ER.
Brenden was placed in PICU, Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit, hooked up
to what seemed to be thousands of wires and medications through his IV,
and was placed under three large billi ruben lamps.
I felt horrible looking at my son, knowing he was in pain, and, again,
on the brink of death. What did I do wrong? What should I have done
differently? I asked myself so many questions. I kept thinking back to
just two days previous, when we brought him home, that the horrible
things we went through and endured as a family following his birth were
over, and everything was going to be fine from then on out. But it
wasn't.
Brenden was hospitalized for three full days. His billi ruben count was
20 when he was brought into the hospital, when it should have been 6.
He was severely dehydrated, partially due to the extreme heat, and
partially due to the fact that, little did any of us know, I was not
lactating nearly enough milk for my son, which also resulted in him
being starving and causing him to lose almost 1 full pound in the two
days we were home. Again, my sons life was saved.
Brenden was given a blanket during his hospitalization. A very
beautiful blanket, with a tag that noted 'Project Linus', with the
Project Linus website. It brought my mother and I both to tears that a
group of people could form an organization and care so entirely much
for babies they'd never meet. Every night my son goes to sleep with his
blanket, and every day he naps with it.
Looking at the blanket is a constant reminder that not every parent
ends up as lucky as me, and it's also a reminder that people do care,
even if they don't know you.
Thank you, Project Linus, for showing me how wonderful people you don't
even personally know can be. You're wonderful people. God Bless all of
you!
Sincerely,
Megan

Mary Balagna
Project Linus National Vice-president
Central IL Chapter Coordinator

See al the good you are doing

2006-06-27T13:02:00.000-07:00

To Dolores Wright-Coordinator, San Jose, Ca. Chapter Project Linus

I hope that this heartfelt thank you reaches you and that you share our thanks and gratitude with all the wonderful, women and men in your Project Linus. Our Pediatric Unit at Regional Medical Center San Jose has just received several bags of the most beautiful, handmade blankets to be given out to our infants and children in the hospital. It is such a blessing that there was people in this world who give selflessly to others. You may never know what it means to a child and parent that someone they have never even met, was willing to give of their time and talent to make a child feel warm and secure during a very stressful time in their lives, but let me share with you the joy we have at being able to distribute your blankets and tell your story. Thank you so much and may your blessings to many.

Janet M. Rettig, R.N.
Assistant Department Manager Pediatrics
Regional Medical Center San Jose
225 North Jackson Avenue
San Jose, California 95116-1691
(408) 272-6459
janet.rettig@hcahealthcare.com

New thank you from a coordinator

2006-06-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

The following is part of a lengthy letter just received by our
chapter from an agency that deals with abused and neglected children
in Central Florida that recently moved into a new building and
underwent an expansion of its services. Such letters are rarely
received, despite mountains of blankets delivered. They need to be
published for all Blanketeers to share in.

"... [T]hank you and Project Linus for ... [a] recent donation [of
blankets] .... I know over the years you have grown accustomed to
[making] ... deliveries so I wanted to share a brief story about two
young girls who recently visited [us] ....

"About three months ago we began providing medical exams and follow
up medical care to children placed in foster care ... Before ..., The
children, many of them in foster care as a result of physical and
sexual abuse, were visiting the local health department for their
medical care.

"I am sure you can imagine the environment they found at the health
department.... Needless to say, when it came time for their latest
appointment, they were not too excited. ... [This time, they went to
the new facility.] ... [W]hen the caretaker called us later that
afternoon, she told us that all the girls could do when they got back
to the facility was brag about the [new building] and the hand made
blankets they got to pick out.... Each of the other children at this
particular foster care facility began clamoring that they wanted to
go to [the agency] for their next exam. They came into foster care
with the clothes on their back and a deep need to be loved and cared
for. We did what we could to meet their needs, but Project Linus did
for them what no one had ever done before, made something new just
for them.

"It is not enough for us to have a warm facility with expert and
professional staff. In order for us to truly meet our mission and
vision for the community, we must have the support of ... groups like
Project Linus. ..."

OK! Now, everyone reach out and pat yourself on the back.

Susan Murphy
Orlando/Central Florida Chapter

__._,_.___
Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) |

From a servicemans widow

2006-06-06T15:06:00.000-07:00

I received a thank you to one of my blanketeers for a quilt received through
the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Good Grief Camp where my
chapter sent 88 patriotic blankets:
"Iris K.,
I received a security blanket for my child and want to say "thank you". I
am truly blessed to be embraced during my journey and grief and definitely
realize I am not alone nor is Brian forgotten. The blanket is absolutely
beautiful. Thank you for taking precious hours out of your personal time in
making the quilt. You have touched our soul with your kindness and
compassion. Unfortunately, many have left us alone to grieve.. but now we
have a blanket to cuddle and to hold on to.. and it definitely provides us
both security.

Thank you kindly,
Angela & Taylor
Ft. Worth, Texas"

thanks

2006-06-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning, I received a telephone call from the Grandmother
of a little girl that had received a Project Linus blanket. The
little girl's Daddy had been killed in Iraq last June. Because the
child had been living with Grandma (not the Soldier's Mom) and
because the Soldier had remarried, the Military did not contact her
directly about his death. Due to those circumstances and others,
many of the benefits for this child did not come and we were not
able to locate her to send her a blanket. In February, this
Grandmother wrote to our Chapter website and asked for a blanket.
Of course, we sent one out immediately. Last Saturday, Grandma and
little Taylor (age 8) called me to tell me thank you. She takes the
blanket with her everywhere except to school. She told me that it
makes her remember all of the fun times with Daddy. She also told
me that she went to TAPS and there she received another blanket.
This little girl sounded like she had received two Christmases in
the same week. Needless to say, we shared some laughs and some
tears and it made we want to make more blankets all day. Thank you
so much to all of you that have help me to make this Project such a
success. No matter how we feel about what is going on in this
world, the one common denominator is the children and how we can
bring a little sunshine into their lives. Marleen (NW Atlanta)

A Thank you from national headquarters

2006-05-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

We received the following thank you note. It's meant for all of you -
please pass it along to your chapter volunteers.
I wanted to write and thank you for a quilt that was made by one of your
volunteers. Since I cannot thank the maker personally, I want to share it with
you all. I have three children, my oldest was a week away from turning four,
my second had just turned 19 months when my third child was born. He was
born premature and with holes in his lungs. Because he had so much difficulty
breathing, I was unable to hold him when he was born. Due to the
complications we both faced I wasn’t able to even see him for over 9 hours. When I was
finally wheeled into the nursery he was on oxygen and I was only able to look
at him through his little “tent”. 24 hours after he was born (2 am in the
morning) I was awakened by the pediatrician and told that his complications
were more serious than they felt they could handle in their hospital. He was
being transported to the nearest NICU which was more than 2 hours away. At
the time my two little ones at home were sick with a virus that could
compromise my new born and were therefore not allowed to come in contact with him.
Even more than that, I was told that if I had contact with my daughters, I
would be unable to have contact with my newborn son for fear of contaminating
him with the virus. I was devastated. Due to my complications with the
pregnancy, I was to remain in the hospital under doctors care with my daughters at
home and my son in a hospital far away. It was by far the biggest nightmare
I had ever experienced. When I was finally well enough to visit him, I found
him with tubes all over his body. He was under a light to keep him warm and
underneath him was a beautiful quilt that I was told had been donated by
volunteers from your organization. More than a week passed by after his birth
before I as able to hold my little one in my arms for the first time. He was
wrapped in a quilt made by your organization. I will never forget that
precious moment. A few days later he was able to come home. A nurse lovingly
swaddled him and placed this beautiful quilt around him to send him home. That
quilt is still his favorite one, even now 20 months after his birth. It’s
the quilt he has to have each night to cuddle under. To me it’s a reminder of
love. When I look at that quilt I am reminded of how much love I felt when
I first held him in my arms, how much love it must have taken to make it, and
how much love I feel for the person who made it and didn’t even know me.
Thank you so much! Sincerely, a grateful mother
P.S. I was taught to sew at a young age, and loving sewing. I have however
never learned to quilt and up to this point in my life never really had an
interest to know how. Since the birth of my son and after his struggles, I
find myself wanting to learn how to quilt in order to share this precious gift
with someone else. I wanted to let you know that I intend to learn how to
quilt and perhaps some day I will be able to return the favor to someone else!
Thank you for touching my life with something so simple as a blanket!

Another grateful recipient

2006-04-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
We received a note from a grateful mother whose daughter received a Project
Linus blanket and then wrote a school essay about it. Here is her essay.
Please feel free to share it with your blanketeers:

A Stitch of Love

Service above self can be many different things. It could be saving a third
world country from starvation, giving water to the homeless, or trying to
stop pollution, but what about putting smiles on kids’ faces? Isn’t that
supposed to be a main goal, especially on the faces of those in the hospital? They
may have cancer or have had major surgery. Some kids have Cystic Fibrosis.
Whatever the disease, kids need to smile.
I have Cystic Fibrosis, which affects my lungs and digestive system. I can’t
digest food, and my lungs are filled with mucus. I’m usually in the hospital
once or twice each year, but unfortunately, this year it was three times,
twice in two-and-a-half weeks.
Over Spring Break I was admitted to the hospital during the night because of
a bad fever and horrible chills which could’ve been caused by an infection in
my central line. My mom and I hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep because
residents kept coming in. As you can imagine, we were extremely tired!
A few friends came, but the rest of the day, I dozed on and off. Later, the
Child Life employee, Tracey, came in and showed me what a port would be like
if I had to get one, and I started crying.
The whole day has been disastrous. First, I had to come in during Spring
Break. Then those chills, which still scare me. Now learning I might get a
port put in! This is just too much!
“Emily, you probably won’t have to get it. Dr. McWilliams just wants to
keep our options open,” my mom spoke.
“You’re a dancer, right?” Tracey questioned.
“Yes.”
“I’ve got just the thing for you.”
Within minutes Tracey was back with a beautiful pink ballerina blanket. As
we unrolled it, my mom and I saw a poem. When I read it, I started crying,
but they were good tears; tears of joy. I couldn’t believe someone would do
that for me. That blanket made my day.
I would love to be able to make some blankets to donate to the
hospital to help other children in difficult situations. Many of my friends
know how to make the blankets, so I’m going to start making plans for a
party where we could make them. These blankets would mean a lot to kids and
would make their day. If people would just see the look on kids’ faces when they
get something as special as a blanket, there would be a different perspective
on what people do for kids and teens in need of help.
Maybe giving blankets to children isn’t saving a third world country. Sure,
it’s not stopping pollution, either. What it is, though, gives children a
glimmer of hope of being out of the hospital, or at least making their room
brighter than just white. Patients should smile, as Tracey made me, even if
they are in the worst place to spend Spring Break!

thank you note

2006-03-31T20:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Project Volunteers,

I want to say Thank you for the beautiful blankets
that my children recieved during our recent visit at
the Palo Alto Ronald McDonald House. You can tell that
every stitch is done with LOVE. It's so neat to see
them curled up on the couch under their blanket after
experiencing a day of intence pain.

Sincerely,
Valerie McGee

Another Grateful Mother

2006-03-30T17:15:00.000-08:00

Hello,

We were at Valley Hospital in San Jose last week and
when we were discharged on Friday someone came by with
a beautiful handmade blanket for our daughter Simrin.
It's purple/pink with shades of blue and pink. It was
a great gesture because we got to leave the hospital
with a pretty token and that is quite unusual. We
would like to thank the person who made this lovely
blanket. Simrin is almost 3 and she has had several
hospital visits and this was a cheerful way to come
back home.

Loveleen

Our Servicemen

2006-03-30T10:11:00.000-08:00

To Whom It May Concern,
The Arkansas Chapter of Project Linus has sent countless blankets to our
military families over the past three years. And then just prior to Katrina I
requested 200 blankets for a Combat Brigade being sent to Iraq. I thought if
at all possible I would like all of the small children to have a blanket.
The hurricane (s) hit and I knew the demand would be great for your blankets, so
I emailed Ann Benson and said if need be to hold off on my large request.
She said the word had gone out already and your Blanketeers were responding.
Soon I started receiving the wonderful boxes from all over the country,
including Florida which had been hit by hurricane earlier.
Words just do not seem to be enough to express to you the joy these precious
blankets/quilts have brought our soldiers' families. Sometimes it brings a
sadness accompanied by the happiness of holding a true treasure in their
arms. The treasure that each of your people have sewn or quilted with love and
compassion for the children is invaluable and will be kept in their hearts
their entire life. The blankets will warm them in cold and comfort them in times
of sadness.
I can never thank you all enough for what you have done and what you are
doing. God Bless Each and Every Blanketeer!!!

another idea for you blanketeers

2006-03-15T20:47:00.000-08:00

We have a fantastic chapter assistant, Kathy Kihm, who leads our Kids
Helping Kids program. I recently heard Kathy speak to a group of high school
students and loved her approach -- For me, she offered a totally new insight on
the worth of our Linus blankets. While I usually stress the comfort & security
angle, Kathy stressed how our blankets can encourage kids to be kids
regardless of their circumstances.
I asked her to write her thoughts down for all of us speaking about the
importance of Project Linus blankets for children. Our volunteers love to hear
stories. I hope her words can give you another way to describe the impact
the blankets can have.
--Kathleen Miller, Project Linus Cincinnati
"I would be willing to wager, that as a blanket maker receiving a compliment
on a job well done, you may have responded: “Oh, it was so simple to make.
I’m glad to have something to do with my time that benefits somebody.” I
hear it often!
As a charitable organization, Project Linus reaches out with blankets to
comfort children in need. As adults, we see blankets comforting children by
offering a soft, warm, protective gift that they can wrap up in, cuddle with, or
lie on or beneath. We recognize the gift of a blanket as an outward sign
that someone cares about the recipient in his/her current situation. All of
that is true, but we must look farther.
Sometimes when I speak on behalf of Project Linus, I have the opportunity
to speak to young children. On an elementary school visit, I asked a group of
kids how a blanket can comfort a child. From a child’s view, a blanket is
so much more. A blanket can be cuddled, hugged, slept with, used as a tent, a
Superhero cape, a tablecloth for tea parties, a long dress, a sleeping bag,
a shawl, a turtle shell, a hiding spot, a cape for a king or queen. A
blanket can be folded up and used as a pillow or wrapped around a secret treasure!
The list went on and on! The kids shared their ideas with exuberance,
smiles and happy eyes!
No matter the situation or hardship, kids long to be kids, and it’s obvious
that blankets can take them places far beyond the confines of a hospital
room, shelter or difficult condition. Blankets are wonderful things, and
blanket makers are extraordinary people. If you have merged your time and talent,
fabric or yarn into a blanket for a child, you have given them not only the
gift of a blanket, but fuel for their imagination and a tremendous boost of
joy! And you thought a blanket was such a simple thing!

[

Thank you note from a new mother at Kaiser SC

2006-03-14T15:41:00.000-08:00

Hi, 3-14-

I wanted to thank you guys and specially Phyllis (tagging the blanket is such a good idea!), for the blanket provided to my son at the PICU at Santa Clara Kaiser. Arush was admitted to the ICU when he was just 2 days old, and I remember feeling a rush of warmth when the blanket was given to him. I was so tense - This touch of kindness really warmed my heart and gave me strength. Plus, the temperature in the ICU is kept really low, and your blankets sure help.

Arush is now 6 weeks old, and the blanket still serves to keep him warm at home. Thanks!

Priya

Interesting story

2006-03-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

This is a delicate story, but one worth sharing. This morning, I
went very early to the local church, where they were holding the
funeral for a local soldier. I delivered a blanket for his 5 month
old daughter, whom he saw one time a couple weeks ago, just before he
passed (he was in Texas since November, suffering from horrible burns
from a bombing).

Last week, a funeral was held for another soldier about 10 miles from
here. A group showed up and protested, very vocal and incomprehen-
sibly disrespectful. Countless people in communities throughout our
area were outraged. The group vowed to be at today's funeral.

Today when I made my early, "quick" stop at the church, I found
myself blocked in by hundreds, if not thousands, of people with
flags, Vets, soldiers in uniform, high school kids, elderly. . . The
protest group was there, too. Whenever this group started protesting
vocally, the crowd began singing "America the Beautiful" or "God
Bless America." Then, over 300 bikers rumbled up, drowning out the
protestors.

The protestors left. Then the crowd became rather quiet, knowing the
funeral had begun. Then people with large American flags lined both
sides of the streets, along with the rest of us, and made an "arch"
which the funeral procession drove through on their way to the
cemetary. It was awesome. So many of the mourners left the church
in tears -- most of them men.

I hope his baby girl will one day understand how a community came to
the rescue of her daddy and his family -- and that the special
blankie dropped off for her will provide a sense of security and
comfort.

A Linus Coordinator from Michigan

Another thank you from an RN

2006-02-17T21:54:00.000-08:00

Hi. I am an RN in the emergency department at Mercy Medical Center in
Nampa, Idaho. Recently, I have had the pleasure of giving out three of your
beautiful blankets. I just want to tell you how happy it makes me to be able
to offer these sick and frightened children such a special gift. These kids
come in so scared; many times without a coat or a blanket of their own.
Each time I give them a blanket their faces just light up! Today I gave one
to a 9 year old boy who was in a lot of pain and was very frightened because
of having to have an IV started and blood drawn. When he went to leave he
handed me the blanket back and said thanks. When I told him he got to keep
it he just couldn't believe it! His eyes teared up and he thanked me over
and over.

Thank you all so much for allowing me to be able to give this beautiful
gift.

I wish you all could see the joy you bring to these kids. I always make it
a point to show these kids the labels on the blankets and tell them all
about the special people who spend so much of their time and love making
them.

Again, Than you all. You are making a
difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

thank you from Kaiser NICU

2006-01-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

I wanted to thank Bev for making the beautiful fleece blanket for my son Giovanni who was in the NICU at the Santa Clara Kaiser. Thank you so much for caring. I hope your holidays are filled with joy. Merry Christmas and may this next year bring happiness to you and your families, happy new year!!!

Malu

Another thank you from the south

2005-12-30T09:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Dolores:

On behalf of all the affected children that your blankets made feel so safe and secure we THANK YOU. We distributed them for Christmas to the very young children in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes that were affected by Hurricane Rita. And also to the evacuees from the Greater New Orleans area that are living in Terrebonne & Lafourche.

We really wanted to take pictures but the opportunity and time did not avail.

Please keep in touch with us. Visit our website for recovery updates: www.trac4la.com

So many miles to go before we sleep………………..

And they continue....

2005-12-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let everyone know who had sent blankets to me, Martha
Carlson, from Jackson Ms, that all have now been delivered. My husband
took the last of them to Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula today.
They immediately knew who could use what. One nurse has quadruplets and
had almost nothing. another lady is due in Feb and has nothing. they
are all working but goods just aren't that available to buy. 90 per
cent of the homes in that town were destroyed. People are working to
get their life in order but it is monumental. I just wanted to let
everyone know how appreciative I am for all of your efforts. We are
truly blest to have so many people with hearts this good. I am humbled
to know of you. Martha Carlson

More thank yous

2005-12-17T11:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Gerri and all the quilters,

Please pass on to Gerri that I have received her handmade quilt from Child Advocates and we will be giving it for Christmas to my advocate child, an 11-year old girl (whose FAVORITE colors are pink and purple).

I took the liberty of printing out the website photos from October '05 and there was Gerri holding up the quilt!! What a talent you all have - and you are doing so much for so many.

So I will add this photo and a little information about your organization when I wrap this stunning work of art.

Thank you, Gerri!! - and warm wishes for this holiday season to you all.

Susan Sherman

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We received the following e-mail at HQ from a thankful parent. You're
welcome to share this with your blanketeers:

I wanted to take a moment and share my experience that introduced me to
Project Linus.
My name is Krystin and on July 30th my son, Ty, and I were traveling from
Cincinnati up to Michigan to visit family. We were about 5 hours into our 6
1/2 hour trip and driving on I94 when we were in a very serious accident,
flipping end over end a number of times. I was very seriously injured,
fortunately my son was not. You can imagine, though, how it might have been for a not
quite 2 year old to go through this experience and then see his mother
covered in blood and not able to move. We were taken by ambulance to Foote
Hospital in Jackson, MI. While I was being attended to, the nurses cleaned him up
and gave him a blanket from your organization in addition to a small panda
bear from the ambulance company. While I was not there, I could hear from the
table the resounding "ahhhs" as they all watched him cling to these items.
I can't explain how this seemingly small thing affected me. We were miles
from home and the only things he had were this blanket and teddy bear. It has
been almost 5 months and he still sleeps with the blanket every night. I
wanted to personally thank you for this "small" huge thing that your
organization did.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just wanted to share a note I received yesterday from a young mother in
Biloxi.

"Richmond Metro Chapter:

I just wanted to take a minute to tell you thank you so much for all
you've done for the "Katrina" hurricane area. My husband is a police officer
and was assigned to one of the shelters after the hurricane (and during it,
too!). I was 7 mos. pregnant during the storm.
We were blessed-our house only had slight amount of water and light storm
damage, however we had no blankets and no where to get any warm blankets to
bring our baby girl home in. One of his last nights at the shelter he found a
hand crocheted pink and white blanket. He knew I'd love it and it would be
much needed for our winter time baby. Well on November 20th our baby girl
"Emmaleigh" was born. We've had cold weather ever since-so her beautiful blanket
has been priceless! I taped the little card in her baby book along side the
Katrina papers. Her blanket will be forever cherished and the history
behind it will be a wonderful story for her. We appreciate your generosity,
prayers and support during this time in our lives. God Bless.

David, Angel & Emmaleigh King"

This is an awesome group to work with. Way to go!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi everyone,
This note was sent by Julie in Covington LA. She requested blankets a short
time ago for hurricane victims and many of you were able to help. I have
been so grateful to all of you for your help in coming to the aid of our
affected chapters, but I am also in awe of those chapter coordinators and
volunteers who were victims of the hurricane yet still find the time and the energy to
deliver blankets to families who have experienced this disaster. Our total
as of today is 25,519 blankets delivered to hurricane victims. Thank you to
all!

Dear Mary,
I am so sorry that this e-mail is getting to you so late, but it seems as if
things just won't ever be the same. Please do me a favor and pass this
message on to the chapters who so lovingly gave when we really needed their help.
I want them to know that Darlene and I thank them from the bottom of our
hearts. It's hard to believe that it will soon be Christmas. New Orleans and
the surrounding areas still look like war zones-no lights at night, still a
lot of blue roofs and very few stores opened because most people are either
gone or have no money. People are really trying to get in the holiday spirit.
Makes the saying "Jesus is the reason for the season" ring so true!!!
You will get a more detailed report in the future, but I thought I would let
everyone know approximately where the majority of blankets went:
100 Children's Hospital (re-opened and transferred 80% of children from
various hospitals in Baton Rouge in mid Oct)
100 St. Tammany Hospital (took Oschner overflow pediatric ward in N.O.)
100 Slidell Evacuation Centers
OakHarbor, Immanuel Baptist Church and Aldersgate Methodist
50 Lakeview Regional Pediatric Ward and NICU
40 Oschner NICU
20 St Tammany Fire Station #4569 (Families lost everything)
27 Individuals

I have gotten phone calls from Ronald McDonald's House, Angels Place and
Fairhaven's Children's Home (all were destroyed, but are rebuilding) and have
put blankets in reserve for them. This leaves us with approximately 75
blankets. However, Hosanna Lutheran will be donating soon and so will several other
organizations.
We could not have done this without your help. I wish I could tell you the
stories of the faces and the tears I shed when they asked the question "Is
this really all mine?". Most of these children own a few pieces of clothing from
Goodwill, but now, because of you, they own a blanket made with love from
"Project Linus".

Thanks and Love

Julie & Darlene

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More Wonderful thank you notes

2005-12-12T17:30:00.000-08:00

Hello, we are parents of a child at Kaiser Santa Clara,
we received one of your blankets a week ago and
just wanted to thank you for your thoughtfulness
and generosity.

Joe and Njoki
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---Hello,

We received a beautiful baby blanket for out daughter (born 11/28/05 - 2 months premature) at the Kaiser Hospital, Santa Clara. The blanket was made by Bev. It was such a surprise to receive the blanket at a time when we were stressed out over the health of our newborn. We are fortunate that our daughter, Kira Clark, appears to be thriving in the NICU at Kaiser Hospital.

Please thank Bev for the beautiful blanket. The blanket is covering her isolete in the NICU unit and makes it feel cheerful and more like home.

Please send information where we can send a donation to Project Linus.

Thank you again....
Jennifer and Tomas Clark
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We received this note at HQ from a mom who received a blanket for her son.
You're welcome to share it with your blanketeers:

I'm a nurse in the very same NICU where my son was recently a
patient. I've known for years how important your blankets are to our
babies and their families. I just never expected to be one of those
families. My son died almost a month ago and one of the few tangible
reminders I have of him is the beautiful, white Project Linus blanket
he was given while in the NICU. Although my son only lived two days,
the blanket holds many memories for me. He was baptized wrapped in
that blanket and whenever I couldn't be with him, I kept the blanket
with me. Now whenever grief overwhelms me, I take the blanket out of
his memory box. It's a comfort to me now just as it was a comfort to
my precious baby while he was sick. Words cannot thank you enough
for the wonderful work you all do.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just wanted to share a note I received yesterday from a young mother in
Biloxi.

"Richmond Metro Chapter:

I just wanted to take a minute to tell you thank you so much for all
you've done for the "Katrina" hurricane area. My husband is a police officer
and was assigned to one of the shelters after the hurricane (and during it,
too!). I was 7 mos. pregnant during the storm.
We were blessed-our house only had slight amount of water and light storm
damage, however we had no blankets and no where to get any warm blankets to
bring our baby girl home in. One of his last nights at the shelter he found a
hand crocheted pink and white blanket. He knew I'd love it and it would be
much needed for our winter time baby. Well on November 20th our baby girl
"Emmaleigh" was born. We've had cold weather ever since-so her beautiful blanket
has been priceless! I taped the little card in her baby book along side the
Katrina papers. Her blanket will be forever cherished and the history
behind it will be a wonderful story for her. We appreciate your generosity,
prayers and support during this time in our lives. God Bless.

David, Angel & Emmaleigh King"

This is an awesome group to work with. Way to go!!

Helen Coalter
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi everyone,
This note was sent by Julie in Covington LA. She requested blankets a short
time ago for hurricane victims and many of you were able to help. I have
been so grateful to all of you for your help in coming to the aid of our
affected chapters, but I am also in awe of those chapter coordinators and
volunteers who were victims of the hurricane yet still find the time and the energy to
deliver blankets to families who have experienced this disaster. Our total
as of today is 25,519 blankets delivered to hurricane victims. Thank you to
all!

Dear Mary,
I am so sorry that this e-mail is getting to you so late, but it seems as if
things just won't ever be the same. Please do me a favor and pass this
message on to the chapters who so lovingly gave when we really needed their help.
I want them to know that Darlene and I thank them from the bottom of our
hearts. It's hard to believe that it will soon be Christmas. New Orleans and
the surrounding areas still look like war zones-no lights at night, still a
lot of blue roofs and very few stores opened because most people are either
gone or have no money. People are really trying to get in the holiday spirit.
Makes the saying "Jesus is the reason for the season" ring so true!!!
You will get a more detailed report in the future, but I thought I would let
everyone know approximately where the majority of blankets went:
100 Children's Hospital (re-opened and transferred 80% of children from
various hospitals in Baton Rouge in mid Oct)
100 St. Tammany Hospital (took Oschner overflow pediatric ward in N.O.)
100 Slidell Evacuation Centers
OakHarbor, Immanuel Baptist Church and Aldersgate Methodist
50 Lakeview Regional Pediatric Ward and NICU
40 Oschner NICU
20 St Tammany Fire Station #4569 (Families lost everything)
27 Individuals

I have gotten phone calls from Ronald McDonald's House, Angels Place and
Fairhaven's Children's Home (all were destroyed, but are rebuilding) and have
put blankets in reserve for them. This leaves us with approximately 75
blankets. However, Hosanna Lutheran will be donating soon and so will several other
organizations.
We could not have done this without your help. I wish I could tell you the
stories of the faces and the tears I shed when they asked the question "Is
this really all mine?". Most of these children own a few pieces of clothing from
Goodwill, but now, because of you, they own a blanket made with love from
"Project Linus".

Thanks and Love

Julie & Darlene
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One More...

2005-11-29T15:04:00.000-08:00

To All the Wonderful Ladies at Project Linus,
I want to take a moment to say "SPECIAL THANKS" to all who so lovingly dedicate their time to making the precious blankets for our babies here at Valley Medical Center Intensive Care Unit. I am one of the RN's who love using the gifts you give for our babies. Each one is truly appreciated by both, partents and nurses.....babies like staying warm and "cute" also! Thank you for all you do to make our unit look more soft and tender!
Sincerely,
Raytha O'Connell R.N.

Some more recdent thank yous...

2005-11-29T14:24:00.000-08:00

From ECONOMIC & SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES INC

Dear Project Linus:
I would like to thank you and the San Jose Chapter for taking the time to make those beautiful blankets for the young children and their families...they love them! The families send their thanks and appreciation for all of your hard work and love that was put in the blankets. Once again, Thank you for all your love and hard work...the blankets are awesome!
Daisy Herrera, Health Educator

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Project Linus
This letter is to extend our apprecition to the Linus Project. Your continued support in the community has offered inspiration to those in need. Here at Econmics& Social Opportunities our mission is, "Building Community One Family at a time.": The G Program (Golden Opportunities) provides job training and replacement services to eligible CalWORKS Clients. Outreach, referral and case management services are also offered. The objective is to reduce barriers to obtain and retain jobs.

Through the mission of your program, we are delighted to have the opportunity of sharing with our clients one of your personalized security blanket. It is also with great pleasure that we are not only representing Project Linus, but we have gained a respectable working relationship with such a wonderful organization,. To speak for our client's 'THANKS FOR THE HUG"

Conda Stanford, Susan Carvajal and Maricruz Vllagrana

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am writing to thank you andyour special blanketeers for the kind and generous sharing of their blankets to benefit the hurricane evacuees residing in Texas,

The shelters, families and schools that we have hand delivered to were very excited and happy to receivesuch beautiful blankets. I know they will cherish these blankets for years to come.

Please let your blanketeers knows that we are very greatful for their kindness and help during such an emotional time.

Happy Holidays to all,
Diane Whitehouse, Coordinator--Georgetown, Texas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are the latest thank yous. Others read at the meeting.

Statistics

2005-11-13T14:33:00.000-08:00

Nationally, as of 7/30/05, Project Linus has donated 1,441,440 blankets. We are now 376 chapters strong in United States.....and growing. I feel these statistics are astounding, but on the other hand, it is so sad that there is such a need with so many hurting children.

Keep up the good work gang...

thank you

2005-11-02T14:16:00.000-08:00

To all at Project Linus:
Thank you so much for the beautiful and warm blankets
you made. Our four girls loved them! They played
with them, took them to school, wrapped themselves up
in them last night at home.

Thank you,
foster mom, Denise Ginsberg

PUT YOUR THINKING CAP ON

2005-11-02T14:11:00.000-08:00

We have just been donated 150 balls of SPLASH yarn. This is a "boutique" yarn that sells for $10.50 a ball. I have 16 different colors ..
This is what the fashionable scarves are made of... it is georgous.

NOW... when we make these scarves to sell for $15.00...(cheap, cheap) do any of you know where we can consign them....anyone know of a boutique going on??????? I need your help. I have plenty already made, but none so far with this new yarn.

I will sell you some of this yarn if you call me and I will give you more details.

Come on let's get kinitting!!!!
Dolores

A Tear jerker Thank you

2005-11-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

Thought you all might enjoy this note that HQ received this morning!

Good morning,

I am not writing to receive information, but to say THANK YOU!

My Children and I evacuated to Houston when New Orleans had been threatened
by Hurricane Katrina. Of course as usual, we left with the mindset that we
would return home in a few days.
As the day dawned and the news came that the levees indeed did not hold and
New Orleans was under water, it also dawned on me as a Mother that I had not
prepared for the inability to go hame again. As the horror of the situation
back home began in sink in, so did the uncertainty of our future.

I am a single mother of three school aged children. Benjamin 16, Loren -
he's 14, and Lindsey, 10. They were wanting answers, and I was only full of
questions. We had arrived in Houston to a hotel room my Mom had called from
California and reserved for us. We had a place to stay for three days. The weight
of our situation grew as the uncertain hours passed.
I had left home with my three children and 6 show dogs. I quickly got on the
computer at the hotel and got word out to other Australian Shepherd breeders
around the country that we needed help dispersing our dogs. Folks came and
got them and placed them in new permanent homes for us. I was so very
grateful, but my daughter cried with the parting of every pup. I told her there would
come a day when she would be able to have a dog to show again, but right
now, it was better for everyone for them to go to new homes.

My boys were so unhappy at having left their schools and their friends, and
wanted to go home. They were struggling with having no home to return to and
with knowing that I had allot to deal with.
We had no place to live, and I had no job. Surely this was some kind of joke
right? I mean our lives had been swept out from under us, and it was only a
couple of days ago all had been normal.
A woman with a large house in Katy Texas sent a friend to our hotel to find
a family that needed help, and we moved in here the next day. After a week of
not knowing where to go, we now have a temporary home. I set about the
process of enrolling my kids in local schools to avoid them failing the year, and
to provide some sense of normalcy to their lives.

I then paired up with a friend who had evacuated to this area also, and we
returned to New Orleans to see what we could salvage if anything. The last
thing my daughter said to me when we left was; "mama, please bring my quilt back
with you." Our house was flooded and everything was crawling with mold. I
could not bring her her favorite blanket........and after seeing our home like
that, I was wishing I had a favorite blanket!
I returned to Houston with very little from our house, but had tried to take
something from each child's room, something that belonged to them.
A few days later my oldest som Ben came home from his new High school and
said: "Mama, I have something for you." I looked up and he had in his hand the
most beautiful quilt! I asked: "For me? Where did this come from?"

He stated that he had been called to the office at school and told he could
pick out a blanket for himself. They had been sent by "Project Linus." I had
never heard of it and had no idea it existed. He told the office staff: "My
Mom would like this one", and instead of taking one for himself he brought me
the most beautiful quilt in the world!
I cannot tell you what happened inside of me that day. HOPE ran through me
right then and there. I held that blanket close and felt the love that had
gone through the hands that made it. It was an amazing experience. I thanked God
right then for the folks who made these blankets and arranged for those of
us who have no answers, to have what is most important in this life, hope,
love and comfort. A couple of weeks later my Daughter Lindsey came running in
from school shouting: "Look Mom!" She too had been called into the office at
her elementary school and had been allowed to pick out a blanket. Hers had
horses all over it and they are her real true love..........she was truly
blessed! I couldn't bring her quilt from home, but she now has one "just for her."

These days Thank You just seems so small. But I am writing to say those
small words from the depths of my heart. THANK YOU to all involved with Project
Linus! You are "touching" lives! May God bless you abundantly with every
stitch!

Nanette,
Benjamin, Loren, and Lindsey O'Connor

Amother thank you

2005-10-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

This Chapter supplies blankets to several facilities where
abused/neglected children are interviewed, examined, forensic evidence
gathered and counseling provided. This week, a note arrived from one of
those locations that I'd like to share with everyone:

"Dear Project Linus,

"Hello! I can't express my thanks and appreciation to you and the work
you do. The looks and squeals from the children when they are told they
can choose and keep a blanket is AMAZING! It greatly brightens the day
of a child who has been abused or neglected. The "fuzzy" blankets have
been a big hit. It often takes the children a long time to choose
between all of the shapes, sizes, patterns, designs, and colors, but
when they finally choose, that blanket is instantly theirs!!

"I had a mom call me and tell me that even though her daughter had a
difficult interview discussing how she had been touched
inappropriately - all she could talk about was her blanket! The mom said
her daughter hangs the blanket on her door during the day and sleeps
with the blanket at night. The mom also said she tried to cut the tag
off the blanket and her daughter told her not to, as the blanket was
"perfect" the way it was! :-) I couldn't agree more.

"The blankets often return a sense of security to these children and
give them something they can call their own. That feeling the children
receive can't be replaced. Thank you SO much for the work you do to
brighten the lives of children who need it so desperately.

"Thank you! Thank you!

"Kindest regards, ....
The Child Protection Team"

(A word of interpretation: I think the tag mentioned is not a PL label,
but rather a paper hang tag identifying this chapter of PL as the source
of the blanket. The fuzzy blankets are fleece.)

This is from another chapter. Dolores

CHECK IT OUT

2005-10-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

Check out our webpage and see all the pictures taken at the last meeting. Thank you Claudia for all your work.

Thank you notes received

2005-10-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this thank you note we received at Headquarters. It's
meant for all of you and your blanketeers! Please pass it along!

Dear Project Linus,

My son and I wanted to thank you so much for a blanket given to him by his
school guidance counselor.

Just days before this school year started, his aunt, who had long been
suffering from cancer, passed away.

It was a difficult start to the school year, the children in the family
often being lost in the shuffle of funeral arrangements, beginning-of-school
meetings, and the like. My son has difficulties at school anyways, and all of
the hubbub served to increase his anxiety about a new school year.

On several different occasions, something happened at school to remind him
of his aunt's death, and as his Hospice Counselor has suggested, the fact that
I am ill (though not terminally so) worries him greatly. Combine that with
worry about his youngest cousin, and this very sensitive little guy found
himself overwhelmed by emotion.

He went to the school library one day and asked for help in finding books
about cancer. He began to cry, remembering his aunt. A teacher took him to the
guidance counselor, who talked to him about cancer, and who gave him one of
your wonderful blankets, backed with soft, cuddly green fleece (his favorite
color, no less). Special permission was granted for him to carry the blanket
to school every day in his backpack.

The blanket also comes home with him every day, and he sleeps with it every
night now. (I might add it's a nice change from his "baby" blanket left over
from pre-school days :-)

I can't tell you the comfort your blanket has given my son during a very
difficult time. He feels so special not only that he was given such a warm,
fuzzy, feel-good thing, but that someone unknown to him cares about children
enough to have made the blanket. He's so proud of his blanket!

When he first brought the blanket home and I found the tag on it, I myself
got a little teary-eyed. I found your website - somehow I had never heard of
your organization before - and then I had a really good cry reading about
all of the projects going on, and the letters from others about your blankets.
Recent world events, and personal ones, have made me question the very
nature of humanity lately. The gift of one of your blankets to my son has helped
to restore my faith in the goodness of human nature.

I hope ever blanketeer realizes it is never "just a blanket". The comfort
you have provided in a time of sorrow will not be forgotten.

With heartfelt thanks,
a mom and son

Mary C. Balagna
Project Linus National Vice-president
Central IL Chapter Coordinator

Thank you note from Nartional

2005-10-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU FROM SAN JOSE FAMILY SHELTER

2005-10-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

"Thank you so much for doing what you do! The blankets are wonderful! I know they will each find just the right child to love them for a long time to come.
Please pass on our appreciation to all the women who's love shows through these blankets:"
Susan Webster, Coordinator

YARN NEEDED

2005-10-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

just a reminder that we can use all sorts of yarn. (washable of course)
Even if you hve partial skeins, we can use them for the granny afghans. Please consider sharing some of your "stash with us.

Another thank you from the south

2005-10-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

I thought you would all enjoy reading another note of thanks from a hospital
that received Project Linus Blankets during the hurricane.

"We received a box of blankets and quilts that were donated to the children
affected by Hurricane Katrina. We would like to thank you for your generosity.
As you know, many children on the Mississippi Gulf Coast have been adversely
affected by Hurricane Katrina. Not only have they lost their homes, but most
of their possessions as well. The blankets have given them something to hold
on to and put a smile on their faces. Thank you very much for caring and
putting your caring into action.
The Pediatric staff at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport"

Thank you letter from Mississippi

2005-10-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

"Thank you and your chapter for all the blankets you sent. the hospitals we gave them to were thrilled. Most Mom's were delivering babies with nothing to take them home to and sick children lost everything."
Bless you all Martha Carlson, Coordinator

Just a little note to show you how much all your work is appreciatged.

Dolores

Latest figures from national...

2005-10-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

The latest figures for blankets donated to the hurricane victims from all the Linus chapters across the USA is.......22,453
We are really proud of this group.
dolores

Latest news

2005-10-02T11:47:00.000-07:00

I guess that the requests for blankets for hurricane relief have come to an end. Thanks to all of you who contributed.

Please remember that if you hear of a child that needs one of our blankets to please let me know. We always have one that is ready to go out to a hurting child. We received over 500 blankets this month and they have gone out already. Unfortunately, there always seems to be a need.

Dolores

Thank you note

2005-09-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share with everyone a phone call I received this
morning. Our office has a customer service office in New Orleans.
The one CS rep (Kelly) that works in that office lives in Mandeville,
LA just north of the lake. Her home is a total loss and they have
been living in an RV park until they are able to move into a rental.
I had sent blankets for her two teenage daughters (16 & 13) a week or
so ago. She called me this morning to thank me for the blankets for
her girls. She said to extend their thanks to everyone at Project
Linus. The day the girls got their blankets was literally the first
time either girl had smiled since the hurricane hit. She said that
life is far from getting back to normal and they take it one day at a
time but the blankets have made a great impact on her girls. Thanks
to everyone for all they have done for the kids of Hurricane Katrina!

Annette Faerber
Southwest Illinois

INFO ON HURRICANE BLANKETS

2005-09-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

We are in a holding pattern for blankets right now. We have had no new requests, but the second hurricane may bring in requests when people can get back in.

Thank you to all who have donated.

Thank you notes received

2005-09-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

This note arrived in my Linus mailbox today. While it is directed
specifically at my chapter, it really is a message for all of us and
a reminder of why we do what we do. The newspaper article to which
the author refers appeared in a local paper on Thursday and was
extremely well done.

How ironic is was for me today to have opened the Mountain Times and
found the article on the Linus Project. Just last week I was going
through my daughter's clothes, blankets, toys, etc. because we are in
the process of moving. I came across a blanket that brought many
tears to my eyes and sadness to my heart.

Two years ago on October 21, my then-17-month-old daughter was
severely bitten on the face by a second-hand dog we had gotten a few
months prior. The woman who gave us the dog stated that it was
friendly with other dogs/cats and was great with children. She had 5
of her own so I assumed(NEVER assume) I could believe her. However,
after a few months, I was proven wrong. My daughter was bitten soooo
badly and would have lost her left eye had the bite been another 1/2
inch down her face. We are all so fortunate because the scar alone
is certainly enough to live with every day and a constant reminder of
that awful night. I'll never forget racing her to the hospital
listening to the terrible, heart-wrenching screams and all of the
blood I couldn't help but glance at every minute of the way there.

After about 3 hours of surgery performed by Dr. Garth and careful
skin placement, my baby was taken to the children's unit of Watauga
Hospital. There the kind nurses consoled us and gave our Ella a
popsicle, some Tylenol, and something I will never forget: her very
own Linus Project quilt. The blanket was machine-pieced with
adorable pastel fabrics and absolutely perfect for her. Thanks
sooooo much to the kind people who donate to this wonderful cause.
Thank you even more to the beautiful hearts and hands that put them
together. Special people keep this world a special place.

It was a very devastating and traumatic time for our family, one I'll
never forget although I try to erase it every single day. I cannot
thank you enough and would love to be able to meet the quilter. But
you all know who you are and what you do for special children in need.

Thank you so kindly,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, Iwant to thank of those that sent blankets to the request for
blankets for SW Louisiana.
I will be shutting down my computer in about an hour and am not sure
when I will be back online. We are expecting to get hit pretty hard by
Hurricane Rita. We are staying as of right now. I will check in as
soon as I get back to a computer. Please keep us in your thoughts and
prayers.

Thank you,
Nell Breuer
SW Louisiana Chapter
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------All of the Project Linus chapters throughout the country have been most generous with aiding the homeless and evacuees in Mississippi (as elsewhere). I have been overwhelmed with the blankets sent to Mississippi. Today in Jackson, MS a baby shower was held for pregnant women who have had to flee their homes and leave behind everything - or it was blown away. In several weeks they are going to have another baby shower on the coast for women who had to stay there but have lost everything. I took blankets for all babies - they were SO appreciative. (As a sidenote - this shower was hosted by Barbie Bassett, a meteorologist in Jackson, MS and a former Mrs. America.) I have delivered blankets in some devastated areas - nothing was left standing - and they are all so appreciative. I will be going to the coast this week-end to deliver more blankets. So a HUGE thank you from the evacuees in MS who have so graciously received your thoughts, prayers and love through your blankets.

Martha Carlson
Jackson, MS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi - Katrina blankets are still pouring in and I was getting buried with
nowhere to send them. I have, in the past, sent blankets to My Stuff Bags
Foundation when I have extras. I checked their website
(www.mystuffbags.org) and they are not only putting together their
necessities bags for kids removed from abusive homes, but are now providing
bags for kids displaced from the hurricane. I think this is a good option
for blankets made especially for hurricane victims when our Project Linus
requests are filled! Janeen Holmes will send you FREE SHIPPING labels and
pick-up is from your house. She send the following email to be passed
along:
"Yes! We are working like crazy here to keep up with the needs of hurricane
victims...so many children! But we're so grateful to be able to offer the
comfort of My Stuff Bags, especially when they can have beautiful Project
Linus blankets in them! Thank you so much, Judy, the labels are on the way.
Please pass the word along to other coordinators if you can.
With much gratitude,
Janeen"
Email her with your name/address/phone number and number of mailing labels
you need and she'll send them to you. jholmes@mystuffbags.org
Judy Walter, Carroll County, MD

THIS IS PROJECT LINUS at work! Thank you to all the wonderful blanketeers in our area who have given so much this month.
Dolores

9/22

2005-09-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

We just wanted to give all of you an update on our hurricane relief efforts. We know many of you have been sharing the numbers and the stories with your blanketeers. Thank you for spreading the word.

We continue to be simply amazed at the wonderful group of chapter coordinators and volunteers we have! What a privilege and a pleasure it is for us to join hands as we try to do our small part in easing some of the trauma these children have experienced. The disaster is devastating but having a part in easing a tiny bit of their suffering has been heartwarming. Thank you all!

In the past 18 days we have arranged for the distribution of 20,239 Project Linus blankets!

I have a feeling the end is not yet in sight, with the new reports of Hurricane Rita. As always, we will wait until the local chapter coordinators let us know if they need National help. If there is a need, I will let you know via e-mail and wait for your reply, if you have extra blankets. Please fill your local needs first. Please do not promise that any blankets will go to hurricane victims simply because we just don't know how long we will be requesting blankets. We have told our chapters in the hurricane areas that we're here to help for as long as help is needed. It would be impossible for us to reach such a tremendous number of people without all of you and your volunteers. PLEASE pass along our heartfelt thanks to each one!

Thank you so much!
Mary and Carol

Mary C. Balagna
Project Linus National Vice-president
Central IL Chapter Coordinator

9/22`

2005-09-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

More blankets needed

2005-09-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

Everyday I think will be the last day for blanket requests and today we get two..one for 200 and one for 300. So we still need more blankets ....and with this new hurricane who knows what we will need? Keep them coming in and I will see that they go to the right people.

Some letters from the south re hurricane blankets

2005-09-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

From Sandy Roof – PL Blanketeer volunteering at the Red Cross Processing
Center in Bearden:
The PL blankets that have gone out of the Supply Depot carried by the
children and their parents are being held by survivors showing much more hope then
when they first came through the doors of the Disaster Relief Center. I wish
all PL Blanketeers had the chance to see the return of hope that comes to the
individuals whose lives they have so profoundly touched ... each PL Blanketeer
is a stepping stone toward normalcy in lives that have been so brutally torn
apart.

Thanks again for your help and support to Project Linus of East Tennessee.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to begin by saying "Thank You" to all who have sent
blankets to me for the Hurricane Katrina Relief.

Life is returning to normal here in Mobile but I can't say the same
for MS and LA. My husband, Steve, works in MS and he comes home
everyday telling me about someone else that he has spoken with that
day who has lost everything. It is so sad because you want to do so
much for them.

I did receive an email a coupled of days ago from one of my
volunteers across the bay. She and her two daughters delivered some
blankets and I wanted to share part of the email with you in order
to let you know how much these blankets mean to these families.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"I have donated 23 blankets to Eastern Shore Family Practice. They
have been giving them out to the sick children they are seeing from
LA and MS from the storm. The girls and I were there when one
mother of an 8 month old who was dehydrated and her 6 year old
daughter who was having asthma problems got their blankets. She was
crying and hugging my girls. They stayed during the storm in Bay
St. Louis and lost everything. The doctor's office was trying to
find some clothes for them. The mother was hugging the blanket
herself, and she said they would make it "because of people like
you." I believe my girls learned a very valuable lesson from giving
out those two blankets."
Thank you again for your support and kindness,
Pam Pully
Mobile Chapter

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just thought I would share this with you all.

OOOPS

2005-09-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

205...not 105

LATEST FIGURES

2005-09-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

105 of our fleece blankets have now gone to the hurricane relief.
National has sent out a total of 18,200.

9/19 New Requests

2005-09-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

We have just had a request from National for more blankets, so we will be sending another 100 fleece blankets to Louisiana. That makes our total 191.....My goal was 200, so we are almost there.
You would not believe my living room with over 100 blankets piled high. Tomorrow we will package them and send them off.

A great big thank you goes to all the blanketeers that have made this possible.

LATEST INFO 9/18/05

2005-09-18T19:02:00.000-07:00

Our National Headquarters, in 12 days, has sent out 17,757 blankets from all over the United States. We, so far, have sent 92 blankets to the hurricane victims from our local chapter.
I am so proud of PROJECT LINUS.

If you want to help, check out our webpage at www.sjlinus.org

Totals

2005-09-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

We sent 17 blankets last week and 75 blankets today..for a total of 92 blankets sent south to the evacuees. We will continue to send as long as the need is there.

These blankets go directly to the children and not to some warehouse or storage facility. This is Linus at work!!!

Latest figures on hurricane relief

2005-09-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

As of 9/13 here are the figures for our hurrican relief:

National has been requested 13,507 blankets
Our chapters have sent 11.614 blankets
We still need 1,893 blankets

Total sent by all Linus chapters is 13,230 blankets already sent.

Wow!
We need single layer fleece blankets, knitted or crocheted light weight baby blankets 36"x36", and light weight quilts. Can you help us out?????

Current update on hurricane reliew

2005-09-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

Here are the very latest figures from National Headquarters.

Blankets requested: 10,143
Blankets Promised: 5,317
Blankets still needed: 4796

Requests are still pouring in for the relocated evacuees. Please help out by making a blanket...leightweight. same specifications.

More Blanket Action for Katrina Evacuees

2005-09-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

National has received requests for 9944 blankets. Already promised by chapters: 4559 blankets. Still needed 5385 blankets. Those are the figures as of this afternoon, and more are coming in all the time.

The San Jose Chapter is sending off 17 tomorrow and many more promised every day, We will continue to send them out as fast as we fill a box and find who needs them. If you have blankets ready, check the hompage for drop off locations (scroll down) or leave a comment here and one of our volunteers will get in touch with you to tell you where to drop them off.

If anyone wants to donate money to pay for the postage of mailing blankets, we will take that also. Make your checks out to "Project Linus" and mail them care of:

Dolores Wright,
2274 Elkhorn Court
San José, CA
95125

katrina, hurricane+katrina, projectlinus

More Hurricane Katrina Blanket Info

2005-09-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

First, I wanted to let you know how the call for blankets for those affected by Katrina is happening. The great folks at National (http://www.projectlinus.org/) are asking local coordinators to only respond to specific requests (like "we need 50 blankets in X shelter or town). These requests are funneled to National and then the specific request is sent on to the chapter coordinators. This ensures that we make and send ONLY what is needed, and to not clog the logistical pipeline with uneeded goods.

Project Linus is ONLY responding with blankets. If you are trying to donate other goods, please contact your local Red Cross or other relief organizations.

Second, if you are reading this and do not live in the greater San Jose, California area, and want to make a blanket, go to the national page and seek the chapter nearest you. That coordinator can help you figures out what is being asked in your area.

Finally, if you are planning or are making fleece blankets as specified in the last post and you have not been in touch with one of our members personally, please post a comment here with your email address and someone will let you know how to get your blankets to us.

There are many, many kids who have nothing. Certainly nothing cuddly and comforting. We'll help change that.

katrina, hurricanekatrina, projectlinus

Hurricane Katrina Call for Blankets

2005-09-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

We are collecting fleece blankets to send to the South. National has already had requests for 9000 blankets. These must be fleece, one layer ....suggested size is 60x72 or 90" We can also use LIGHTWEIGHT baby blankets, knitted or crocheted. Nothing else... it is hot there!

Dolores

katrina, hurricanekatrina, projectlinus

San Jose Project Linus

TAPS KIDS WITH PROJECT LINUS BLANKETS!

Thank You

Blanket

Blanket Donation

Thank you for INA

Thank you

Thank You!

Thanks (and Farewell) to Dolores Wright Tuesday May 19 1pm & 7pm

Thanks

From a Mother who's child was in GoodSam

Another thank you

From hadquarters

An adoptee's Mother

See-it all works!!

This is a family member who adopts a child

Todays thank you

Another tear jerker thank you

New Thank you

Thanks

Snowball Express

Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:30 am (PST)

Thanks from TAPS

Thank you --=-TAPS

About TAPS and Cancer Camps

A Note from a Valley Med recepient

From TAPS

Thank you from Snowball Express

this was received the same day as delivery

Report from the Children's Discovery Museum

from a CASA case worker (Court appointed advocates)

thank you

A little boy is helped at Kaiser Santa Clara

Letter from Valley Med

Thank you note from CASA

Thank yous keep coming in

Another heart warming story

Another heart warming story

Thought you would enjoy this story

Another note from National

See al the good you are doing

New thank you from a coordinator

From a servicemans widow

thanks

A Thank you from national headquarters

Another grateful recipient

thank you note

Another Grateful Mother

Our Servicemen

another idea for you blanketeers

Thank you note from a new mother at Kaiser SC

Interesting story

Another thank you from an RN

thank you from Kaiser NICU

Another thank you from the south

And they continue....

More thank yous

More Wonderful thank you notes

One More...

Some more recdent thank yous...

Statistics

thank you

PUT YOUR THINKING CAP ON

A Tear jerker Thank you

Amother thank you

CHECK IT OUT

Thank you notes received

Thank you note from Nartional

THANK YOU FROM SAN JOSE FAMILY SHELTER

YARN NEEDED

Another thank you from the south

Thank you letter from Mississippi

Latest figures from national...

Latest news

Thank you note

INFO ON HURRICANE BLANKETS

Thank you notes received

9/22

9/22`

More blankets needed