Are you familiar with National Make A
Blanket Day being celebrated on Saturday? I wasn’t either. I was introduced to the nonprofit organization Project Linus, the sponsor of National Make A Blanket Day, through Laura and Angela Stockman from the Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference blog.
I was intrigued by the mission of Project Linus and the ability for almost anyone to get involved. I had the privilege of interviewing Christine Lewandowski, the coordinator for the
Erie & Niagara Co. NY Chapter of Project Linus. The following is what she had to say about the organization, her reason for supporting it, and how you can get involved:
Q: What is Project Linus?
A: Project Linus is a 100% volunteer non-profit
organization with a two-fold mission: First to provide love, a sense of security, warmth
and comfort to any children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in
need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by
volunteers. It is also to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for
interested individuals and groups in local communities for the benefit of
children.
Q: What is your role?
A: A few of my responsibilities as coordinator for the
Erie & Niagara Co. NY Chapter of Project Linus are all administrative duties
including being the primary contact person. Also, to find facilities to receive
blankets, informing the public how to become involved, and
fundraising.
Q: Why did you get involved?
A: I became involved because my granddaughter, Lily,
was born with a health problem but with medical care was able to make a full
recovery. I was looking for a way to ”pay back’ for the blessing we received. I
heard about Project Linus and decided that it was exactly what I was looking for
and became a volunteer and eventually coordinator.
Q: What is Make a Blanket Day?
A: Every February Project Linus has a National Make A
Blanket Day. It is a workshop for volunteers to spend the day making
blankets, sharing ideas and meeting fellow "blanketeers". With the help of my assistant Karen Weishaar and our volunteers we were able to
bring comfort to 2644 children in our area last year.
Q: Do I have to be great at sewing and quilting to participate?
A: Project Linus is an organization that includes all
ages and talents. You don’t have to know how to sew, knit or crochet. There are
many ways you can help. If you know of a school, office or organization that would
be willing to sponsor a dress down day, penny drive, bake sale, car wash or any
other form of fundraising have them contact the coordinator of the chapter. Each
chapter is responsible for it’s own fundraising. Also gift cards from quilt
shops, office supply stores, Cosco, BJ’s, Sam’s Club and Walmart is another way to
help.
Q: How can I get more information about Project Linus?
A: To get more information about Project Linus and a
chapter near you go to the National Headquarters site at www.projectlinus.org. For anyone living
in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY area contact me at buffalo.ny@projectlinus.org.
making blankets and also gifting them to the very poor are very nice and kind gestures the world is forgetting.Good projects here..
Great Blog! I really appreciate your thinking, its a very great idea to make a National Blanket Day, I think its a very brilliant work that to make a Blanket and donate it to Poor people. Thanks for sharing!!!