Newtown, CT disaster

I wanted to let you know that Project Linus was present after the disaster.  When things like this happen, the national organization sends out a request for chapters to send blankets to the affected area.  A total of 700 blankets were sent as the local coordinator felt that was what was needed in excess of what was already in inventory. 

 Project Linus is there, blanketing with love.  Peace.

MYSTERY QUILT STARTING JANUARY 14

Just a reminder - if you would like to participate in the monthly mystery quilt starting on January 14, there still is time. 

Just email me back and I'll add you to the list. 

Each month, you'll receive an email on the second Monday from
      linusmystery2013@gmail.com .   Heather Harnden has graciously
      volunteered to handle this.

I've seen the finished product and it's wonderful.    I'm planning on having a separate section at the quilt show in October for these quilts.

The more the merrier - please let me know.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU from a recipient of a bereavement blanket

As many of you know, I try to keep up with the local paper and send a blanket to a child who's lost a parent or sibling.    In fact, in 2012, we sent out 44 blankets. 

Here's a lovely note that I received from a parent:

I would like to thank who ever however this happened. I arrived home today and there was a package at my back door, from the Project Linus Cumberland/York County. I opened the box not knowing what was inside of it and pulled out two homemade quilts for my girls. They lost their father about 3 weeks ago. He had a heart attack and was only 40 and the love of his life was his two little girls.

 When I handed the two quilts to the girls their faces just lit up and wrapped themselves in the blankets right away. My youngest who is 6, fell asleep under it tonight! My oldest who is 10 wouldn't let it go. I cannot tell you what a wonderful feeling that came over me when all of this happened. I have not seen them relaxed and comfortable like that in the past 3 weeks.

I am not a religious person but you folks are a gift from heaven right now! You made my girls night and for that I just don't know what to say but for once the tears that I had tonight were tears of joy!
You are all wonderful people! I just cannot say enough.

MARDEN'S DEMONSTRATION DAYS

Marden's locallyhas invited us to do a quilt block demonstration at:

                       Scarborough - Saturday  February 16 from 10 to 2

                       Sanford - Saturday March 2 from 10 to 2

Please come and stop by.  It's always nice to to be able to say "thank you" to our Blanketeers in person.  Plus, we'll have patterns for a really great block that you can do lots with.  Please join us. 

"The Giving Quilt" by Jennifer Chiaverini

For you readers out there, the latest book in the Elm Creek Quilts Novels is out.  "The Giving Quilt" is a pleasant read about a week devoted at "quilt camp" to making Project Linus quilts.   What a lovely idea. 

BLANKET SIZES NEEDED

Our Current Area Needs

New, handmade and washable quilts, blankets, afghans and fleece blankets in child friendly colors. Often, patterns will decide what age group will receive the blankets. Such as a baby pattern, even if large size, will go to a toddler.

Knit or crochet blankets should be made of washable, non-wool yarn and closely woven so they don't get caught or tangled in hospital equipment.

Suggested sizes:

Small (infants to toddlers) = 36 X 42

Medium to young teens = 40 X 54 - 60

Large (Teens*) = 2 yards or 48 X 65 or larger

*There is always a special need for blankets especially for teens & boys. 

Fleece blankets are very popular as well.   

WABAN PROJECTS

I'm very pleased to announce that we've just given 170 blankets to the Waban Projects in York County.  They work with clients that have development disabilities.  They get their blankets from us in the fall, readying for the winter season. 


Here's a nice note that I received from them:

      Words could never describe how thankful our team is to have you work
      with our clients  The blankets have and will bring smiles to many
      hundreds of faces  This means the WORLD to us.

               With love,  Waban Case Management, Holly, Sarah, Molly, Evan,
                                Janet, Michelle, Nicole and Melissa

A MOTHER'S STORY

My son Jacob recently had to be admitted to Goodall Hospital with appendicitis and subsequent complications.  Jacob is 11 and has significant autism.  He was very frightened.  One of the nurses brought him a Red Sox blanket from Project Linus.  He immediately attached to it as it was soft and he loves the Red Sox. Due to his autism, transitions and new things are very scary/upsetting to him.   It really helped him transition through the next 6 days and went everywhere with him.  It helped him remain calm and has not left his side since.  

 

We can not thank you an Project Linus enough.  It made a very scary time for Jacob so much less scary.  It was very appreciated!!

Donna and Kevin

 

HEARTWARMING THANK YOU

Hi Project Linus,

 

I saw a feature about you on the news and just wanted to add my thanks for the work that you do.  I was a foster parent for 8 years, often taking care of the youngest infants and children who arrived with very little to their name but usually came with a Project Linus blanket - 2 of my adopted kids still have their favorite blankies! Both made by your volunteers. So thanks a million - I couldn't be there for my kids when they were born, but you were!!

 

Alex

 

 

 

THANK YOU NOTE FROM CHILD LIFE SERVICES AT MMC

Many heartfelt thanks for the gorgeous quilts!  Project Linus quilts have made children's hospital stay cozier and more like home.  When a patient sees a product of your quilt on the bed, it makes them smile - They love them and the families are so appreciative, too!

Thank you again for the Project Linus blankets.  It has made such a difference in the hospital stay for the children.      They are gorgeous quilts, too. 

                      Blessings,   Alice Burrower, Child Life Asst. 

COTTON WEEDS & CALICO QUILTERS BLANKET DAY Oct 20

What a great day we had making a newly designed Mystery quilt organized by Heather Harden.  The group had great time choosing fabrics and making choices. 

 

A very special thanks goes to Cotton Weeds who invited us to use their wonderful second floor space.  It was so comfortable and had plenty of room for all of us.  I believe that there were 17 participating.

Thanks goes out to Hannaford which gave us a $100.00 gift card to buy lunch makings and that terrific cake.  It was our 5 year celebration and I wanted us to do something special. 

A big hello to television stations WCSH and WMTW who came and filmed our special day for their respective newscasts.  It's so wonderful for all the Blanketeers and efforts to be recognized.

Great day - I'm happy to be a part.

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

I'm so thrilled to announce that we have a contact with DHHS and now there are blankets for the children served by that agency in York and Cumberland County.   I so grateful for the work that those folks do in those difficult situations and am so happy that we can help make their clients lives a little more pleasant. 

Thanks to all of you.

AN UNEXPECTED "THANK YOU'

What a delightful surprise I got the other day. When the mail was delivered, the mailman rang my bell. He said he wanted to say a very special "thank you" to the Project Linus volunteers. His son had recently received a Winnie the Pooh blanket at the Goodall Hospital in Sanford. When he read the card with the blanket, he said "I know that woman - she's on my route!" The family is so appreciative of our kindnesses.     Thanks to all.

FROM SPRING HARBOR STAFF

Many thanks for your generous gift of quilts.  On behalf of the Spring Harbor Hospital staff, One North East, Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer Dennis King, I want to express our sincere appreciation for your generosity.  Thank you for your generous support of  Spring Harbor Hospital.


P.S.  Note - Spring Harbor Hospital is the second largest recipient of our blankets.

MORE THANK YOU NOTES FROM SPRING HARBOR

It's always so sweet to receive notes, especially from the children themselves.  Here's my latest. 


A joint card saying WE LOVE THE QUILTS'S from M, J, M, B, C, C and R


Thank-you for the quilt.  Thank-you so much for the quilts their so amazingly awesome. All of us really like the quilts that you guys made.  Thank you for taking the time to make them.  I'm really thankful for what you guys did :)    From K and all the kids there


Thank you (drew a picture of a bed/with quilt, under a window showing the stars & a moon).  From K