Our House

OUR STORY:  By Joyce Pickett, Chapter Coordinator

While working at Edward’s Sewing Center in February, 2004, Peggy Albertson, former Chapter Coordinator, became involved in Project Linus’ National Make-A-Blanket Day.  When she discovered there was no local Project Linus chapter, she was very disappointed.  Sitting in church the following day, Peggy started to think about how blessed she was to have healthy children and a happy, healthy granddaughter.  She was so very grateful, (and still is), that her family has not had the need for a security blanket.  At that moment, she received a very strong call from God to start a local Linus chapter.

Monday Morning Peggy went to the Project Linus website to get more information on how to start a chapter.

She applied, and on April 13, 2004 received an email that she had been approved to begin one in this area.  So there we were… Except after 11 years as chapter coordinator and countless hours of dedicated work, Peggy decided that changes in her life required her to step down and turn the reins over to someone else. As her sister, I have been involved with the chapter since its inception and was able to step in and take over as Chapter Coordinator. Peggy will stay involved as a blanketeer and as my consultant, and together we will make sure our chapter continues to flourish and serve the needs of our community.

OUR STORY CONTINUES:  By Deb Heath, the new Chapter Coordinator

My name is Deb Heath, new chapter coordinator for Project Linus Fort Wayne/NE Indiana.  I am dedicated to continuing Peggy and Joyce’s work in our chapter. I became a volunteer in September 2005 and have remained very active in the group. My relationship with Peggy and Joyce goes back to growing up in the same neighborhood.  We have worked together as a team and will continue to do so, keeping our chapter active and strong.

As chapter coordinator I am actively seeking a new location for our workshop. I am excited to take on this new adventure so we can continue to provide comfort for children through our blankets.

OUR LOCATION:

Stay tuned.

CHAPTER COORDINATOR:

Deb Heath

email:  debheath@comcast.net

phone:  260-438-6575

MAILING ADDRESS:

9831 Greenmoor Drive

New Haven, IN  46774

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Monetary Donations

Donations Help Fullfill Our Mission

Project Linus is comprised of about 250 chapters across the United States. All are directed by volunteers who work from their homes. Chapter Coordinators are authorized by Project Linus National Headquarters for an assigned geographical area, and are entitled to the benefits and privileges enjoyed by our 501c3 tax exempt status. All official chapters are the fiscal responsibility of Project Linus National Headquarters.

There are three basic ways Project Linus donations are used:

1. CHAPTER EXPENSES   These are expenses directly related to the chapter. They are supported by the donations that are collected locally and submitted to Project Linus National Headquarters for deposit. Chapter Coordinators may then submit receipts for local purchases or use funds for items provided by Project Linus National Headquarters. 80% of all donations collected on the local level are available for use by the chapter coordinator at her discretion, within organizational guidelines. All monetary donations without exception are required to be submitted to Project Linus National Headquarters for deposit and to be reported to federal and state agencies.
2. GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT   20% of donations collected on the local level are retained by Project Linus National Headquarters to be used for the benefit of chapters and to support the organization as a whole. Many of these expenses are paid in behalf of chapters relieving them of that obligation locally. They include in part the following: Auditing, Bookkeeping/Clerical/Salaries, Equipment Leases and Purchases, Insurance, Office Supplies, Printing and Reproduction, Postage and Shipping, Rent, State Registration Fees, Storage, Telephone and Internet, Website Maintenance and Tech Support
3. MANAGEMENT EXPENSES   Donors can be assured that at least 92% of their contribution is used directly for program costs. Project Linus adheres to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

HOW ARE MONETARY DONATIONS USED BY THE ORGANIZATION?

There are many expenses involved in maintaining Project Linus. Normal expenses for our organization are: fabric, batting, yarn, other blanket-making supplies, blanket labels, printing, office supplies, shipping, accounting and auditing to name a few.

 

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National Project Linus

OUR ORIGINS

On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist, Eddie Adams. Part of the article featured a petite, downy haired child named Laura:

“Laura has unusual compassion for others,” Charlotte Barry-Williams of Oceanside, California, says of her daughter, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. “I guess part of the reason is that she has experienced so much pain herself.”

A special “blankie” has helped Laura, 3, get through more than two years of intensive chemotherapy. She takes it to the hospital with her when she goes for treatment. When she was first diagnosed, 97 percent of her bone marrow contained cancerous cells. Although chemotherapy has helped eradicate the cancer, she has had to endure nausea, high fevers and the loss of her hair. An allergic reaction at one point caused her to lose vital signs.

“She doesn’t understand what cancer means,” her mother says. “She’s a very joyous and happy person, very curious.” Her mother hopes Laura can start preschool next spring.

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.

WHERE PROJECT LINUS IS TODAY

About 250 chapters of Project Linus exist in the United States with over 5 million blankets delivered worldwide since 1998.

MISSION STATEMENT

Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Each volunteer and local chapter all work together to help us achieve our mission statement, which states:

• FIRST    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 and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
• SECOND   Provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

TO READ MORE

Visit the Project Linus Website www.projectlinus.org.

 

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go to the Questions/Comments tab.

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Make A Blanket

Blankets must be homemade, washable, free of pins, and come from smoke-free environments due to allergy reasons.  We encourage you to choose colors and patterns that would be cheerful and kid-friendly.

Suggested blanket sizes include:  (minimum approximately 36” x 36”)

Infant – 36″ x 36″ to 38″ x 38″

Toddler – 38″ x 38″ to 40″ x 42″

Elementary – 40″ x 50″ to 50″ x 60″

Pre Teen to Teen – 50″ x 60″ to 60″x 72″

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If you have questions or comments,

go to the Questions/Comments tab.

We’d love to hear from you.