Here is a summary of our good work since our chapter’s beginning in June 2000!
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Total Blankets Distributed By Our Chapter 50,593 |
Blankets Received April – June 367 |
Blankets Distributed April – June 367 |
Hello Blanketeers! May 28, 2025
For those of you interested in scrappy quilting, you can still sign up through Saturday for the Scrappy Sewing with Patty fundraiser. Patty has done several challenges so the total number of patterns that will be issued has gone up to 10! That is 10 patterns for $20.00! The last pattern comes out this Saturday, May 31. After that, the patterns will be available in a booklet in the Project Linus Store for $25.00. Once you register, the patterns are yours forever to use. You can sign up at https://projectlinus.org/scrappy.php.
On June 14, we will have an in-person Blanket Day and Volunteer Appreciation Event to celebrate 25 years of Project Linus in the New River Valley! We hope you have marked your calendar! We will be at Grove United Methodist Church (1020 Tyler Avenue, Radford, VA) from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. We will have blankets to make, labels to sew on, and of course will accept any and all donations of blankets (quilted, knitted, crochet, fleece), fabric, batting, thread, yarn, etc. A flyer is attached with more details. This will be a special time of celebrating our Project Linus chapter and we hope you will be able to join us for at least part of the day.
If you would like to assist with setup or food for June 14, please contact Laura Eanes at 540-639-3775 (leave a message), message our Facebook page (NRV Project Linus) or reply to this email. We can use some people to help with setup on Friday!
Set up: Friday, June 13, 4-6 pm – a few folks to help move tables and set out supplies would be terrific
Food for Saturday: Project Linus will provide finger foods, drinks, and cake in celebration of our 25 years! If you would like to contribute a finger food/reception-type item, please let us know, but there is no obligation to do so.
We look forward to seeing you next month on June 14!
Thanks to each one of you!
Sincerely, Penny Sweet, chapter coordinator Laura Eanes, assistant
We also have three locations that accept blankets for NRV Project Linus regularly:
Sew Biz (540) 639-1138 7327 Peppers Ferry Blvd., Suite A, Fairlawn, VA Monday-Friday: 10am – 6pm Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Volunteer Montgomery (540) 382-5775 210 S. Pepper St., Ste. D, Christiansburg, VA Monday-Friday: 9am – 4pm Radford Public Library (540) 731-3621 30 West Main Street, Radford, VA Monday-Thursday: 9am – 8pm Friday-Saturday: 10am – 5pm Thank you to each one of you for all that you do to support our Project Linus chapter! We deliver blankets each month to several facilities and we appreciate everyone who makes quilts, blankets, and afghans all year long so that we can continue to provide comfort to local children!
Next month, instead of a blanket collection day, we will have a Community Blanket Day and Volunteer Appreciation event. Please hold the date of Saturday, June 14, when we will celebrate 25 years of New River Valley-Radford Project Linus! More details to come soon!
Sincerely, Penny Sweet, chapter coordinator Laura Eanes, assistant
Blanket Drop Off Locations
If you are interested in contributing blankets to our chapter you can bring completed blankets to any Blanket Day or drop off at the following locations. You should see a bin or box labeled Project Linus. The following locations have generously agreed to be drop off points for Project Linus Blankets. Please make sure each of your blankets have your name. Please include your address if the blanket recipient chooses to send you an acknowledgement.
Beginning on Saturday, April 12, 2025, we will have monthly blanket collection days on the second Saturday of each month. We will be at the Sew Biz parking lot from 10am-12pm and at the Joann’s parking lot from 2pm-4pm (145 Shoppers Way, Christiansburg, VA). Please stop by and say hello and we will happily accept your blanket donations!
Sew Biz
(540) 639-1138 7327 Peppers Ferry Blvd., Suite A, Fairlawn, VA Monday-Friday: 10am – 6pm Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Radford Public Library
(540) 731-3621 30 West Main Street, Radford, VA Monday-Thursday: 9am – 8pm Friday-Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Volunteer Montgomery
(540) 382-5775 210 S. Pepper St., Ste. D, Christiansburg, VA Monday-Friday: 9am – 4pm
Would you like some Project Linus Swag?
Visit the Project Linus store
for blankets/quilt patterns, cards and pens, clothing, skip-stich blades and tote bags.
Who Receives Our Blankets?
Blankets are distributed to a variety of locations in the New River Valley. Sheriff’s Departments and local police departments carry blankets with them to provide comfort to children in crises situations. Fire departments have blankets to distribute in times of need. Social services distributes blankets to children who have to be relocated on an emergency basis. Local hospitals distribute blankets to children who have received outpatient surgical departments. Blankets are given to children who have parents deployed in the line of duty. We also contribute to national disasters, such as hurricanes, fires, and other emergency situations when many children are affected.
In addition to responding to emergency situations, we also make weighted blankets (upon request) for children in need.
What are the “requirements” of a blanket?
Blankets Need to be “Homemade”
When we say “homemade”, we mean something that is not commercially manufactured or purchased. Of course, home sewing machines, knitting machines, etc. are fine. It has always been the mission of Project Linus to donate only new handmade blankets. We receive thousands of letters and thank you notes every year from children.
What Types of Blankets does Project Linus Accept?
Our Chapter Coordinators accept NEW HANDMADE, WASHABLE, blankets and afghans for giving to children ages 0-18 years. Project Linus blankets are not donated to adults. As a national policy we accept all sizes and styles, although some chapters may have more narrow requirements based on the needs of the facilities to which they donate. Project Linus blankets must be of excellent quality and free from contaminants. Special care should be taken to ensure that blankets are free of smoky smells or any chemicals which could cause problems for a child. Ensure that blankets are free of pet or animal hair. Hospitals will not accept these blankets, and they will most likely be discarded. Recent studies show that laundering these blankets does not remove contamination, and in some cases can even make it worse. Always check blankets carefully for pins, and remove any embellishments such as buttons that could be swallowed.
What About Sizes?
Project Linus donates blankets to children, infants through teens. Many blanket sizes are appropriate, depending on the needs of your chapter and the organizations it supports. For example, blankets could be as small as 36″ x 36″. The majority of Project Linus blankets are about 40″ x 60″, or what is called ‘crib size’. Blankets can be as large as twin size for teens. Local Chapters may have certain preferences depending on the facilities to which they donate. Visit the ‘Find Chapters’ page on www.projectlinus.org to locate contact information for your local Project Linus Chapter so that you can ask about specific current needs.
Now that JoAnn Fabric has closed, here are some other options people have found helpful
For Fabric: www.thousandsofbolts.com, www.marshalldrygoods.com For thread and scissors: www.wawak.com Other. useful sites: www.fleece-fabric.com code LINUS2025. The contact is Stan 646-727-8361. current prices: now offering 10 and 22 yard bolts with free shipping for 40 yard or higher orders. Pricing as follows: Anti-pill printed fleece in 10 yard bolts at $5.99/yard and 22 yard bolts at $5.63/yard Anti-pill solid fleece in 10 yard bolts at $5.90/yard and in 22 yard bols at 5.54/yard Double brush printed fleece in 22 yard bolts at $5.76/yard Double brush solid fleece in 22 yard bolts at $5.40 yard www.yourfleece.com in another source Yarn www.primieryards.com Linus30 is the code for 30% off any non-sale yarn. www.lionbrand.com Our contact person is Lori.Naidich@lionbrandyarn.com. Contact her for a price sheet. There may be a minimum order.
Need Pattern ideas?
The Project Linus website contains patterns, challenges and additional information about the organization. www.projectlinus.org
Click here to go to NRV Project Linus pattern page or visit the projectlinus.org website
MISSION STATEMENT Project Linus is a volunteer non-profit organization with a two-fold mission:
FIRST, it is our mission 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 and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers”.
SECOND, it is our mission to provide rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children. Anyone, any age, can help these children. It is within your power to make a difference. Nearly 400 chapters of Project Linus exist nationally, with more than 10 million blankets donated to children.