Project Linus makes blankets for kids in need

When a child is facing a traumatic situation and is in need of comforting, sometimes the little things can make a difference. That is the idea behind the Project Linus's "Make a Blanket Day" campaign. The national campaign, which happens each year on the third Saturday of February, will once again be hosted in Discovery Bay.
"The mission of Project Linus is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets," said Jeanne Akin, new coordinator of the event.
Akin recently took over as coordinator of the Project Linus chapter that meets in Discovery Bay after retiring and decided she just couldn't sit at home. "I saw the article in the newspaper, attended a meeting and I was hooked," she said.
Project Linus is an all-volunteer organization that needs the help of local citizens to make their goal a success. On Saturday, Feb. 21, the East County group hopes to put together 100 or more blankets to donate to area hospitals and medical centers. The Make a Blanket Day, invites community members, not just those from Discovery Bay, but all over East County, to spend come together to make as many blankets as possible on this one day. Everyone from the most experienced quilter to the novice is welcome to attend.
"We are making everything from quilts to blankets that just tie together," Akin said.
Project Linus is named for the Peanuts character Linus who always carried his trusty blue security blanket everywhere he went. The group was started on Christmas Eve 1995, when an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Eddie Adams wrote it. The article featured a child who had been going through chemotherapy and stated that her security blanket helped her get through the treatments. After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children's Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.
To this day Project Linus has delivered over 1 million blankets to children around the world and has over 350 chapters in the United States.
"Community involvement is vital to the success of this event and it is hoped that as many people as possible will come and help make these blankets," Akin said.
Volunteers are requested to bring their own sewing supplies such as thread, needles, fabric, yarn, and scissors. Some materials are on hand to make blankets for this event. Akin said that she joined a quilting club this year that hosted a clean your closet sale and found some great bargains on some nice pieces. She also received some discounts and donations from JoAnn Fabrics in Antioch.
Blankets are made out of quilts, crochet and fleece material. Anyone with the know how to make these styles of blankets are encouraged to attend for just a couple of hours or all day. Anyone who wants to learn to make quick blankets to help the cause can also come and give a hand. The event will be taking place at the Fellowship Hall of Delta Community Presbyterian Church, 1900 Willow Lake Road, Discovery Bay.
Akin said that anytime volunteers can give between 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. would be greatly appreciated. Reservations are not required to attend. For more information on Project Linus call Akin at 510-459-7457 or e-mail her at jakin@pacbell.net.