April Newsletter 2024

 April Newsletter 2024

As April welcomes us with open arms, the air is filled with the sweet scent of cherry blossoms, heralding the arrival of spring - a season synonymous with rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings.  Mother Nature also treated us to a solar eclipse!

It's been a busy early spring for our Blanketeers.  In addition to the consistent blanket donations from our dedicated Blanketeers, the quilters at Mountain Vista Methodist Church and the quilters of Sweet Charity Sisters have generously donated many lovely quilts for our cause.  We are deeply grateful for their contributions that have made a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.

We are often asked, "Where do your blankets go?"  Over the past month, we have distributed approximately 180 blankets to children in need through the following organizations:

• Alta View & Riverton Hospitals
• Children's Justice Center
• Guardian Ad Litem (West Jordan & Salt Lake City)
• DDI Vantage
• Hearts Knit Together
• Joyful Welcome
• Refugee Services

While making our deliveries, we often hear heartfelt stories of how meaningful the blankets are to the children and how grateful they are to receive something so beautiful and lovingly made for them.  These blankets are not just pieces of fabric; they carry with them the hope of brighter days and the promise of a new chapter in the lives of these young ones.

In March, several of our dedicated Blanketeers participated in the World Wide Quilt Day event at the Sandy Senior Center.  We had the opportunity to connect with fellow quilters and quilting groups in our community.  During the event, our Blanketeers were hard at work, diligently piecing together quilt tops and sharing our mission and their skills with others.  It was a day filled with camaraderie, creativity, and the joy of giving back.

We are excited about the possibilities that spring brings and the opportunity to continue making a positive impact in the lives of children through our blanket donations.  Together, we can make a difference - one blanket, one child at a time.

And lastly, I want to share the beautiful Easter Sunday sunrise at Dewey Beach, Delaware!

Happy Spring,

Karen & Millie

Easter Sunday Sunrise

Dewey Beach, DE

March Newsletter 2024

Happy (almost) spring!

With the arrival of March comes the familiar ritual of turning our clocks forward, signaling the promise of longer days and warmer weather ahead.

Reflecting on February, we are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our blanketeers and the local community.  Thanks to their efforts, over 200 blankets were either donated or lovingly crafted by our dedicated blanketeers.  These blankets have brought warmth and comfort to over 180 children across various organizations within our community.  In the upcoming months we will be spotlighting some of the organizations to which we donate.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce our participation in the upcoming "Pay It Forward" event this fall where local law enforcement and staff host children from the Salt Lake City School District.  They anticipate approximately 80 children participating in two events scheduled for August and December.  We are committed to providing each child with a blanket of their own.  This initiative not only exemplifies our mission to serve our community but also underscores the importance of spreading kindness and support to those who need it most.

Our blog will be undergoing some exciting updates and getting a fresh new look in the coming months.  While we work behind the scenes to enhance our site, please note that our blog may be temporarily "under construction".  If you have any ideas or suggestions for content you would like to see on our refreshed site, we'd love to hear from you!  Please send your ideas and feedback to our email address at slcprojectlinus@gmail.com.

Lastly, all are welcome to join us at our upcoming "blanket making days":

Thursday, March 21st, 1:00-3:00, Mountain Vista Methodist Church, 8931 S 3200 W, West Jordan

Monday, April 8th, 10:00-1:00, Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 2500 E 3900 S, Salt Lake City

Enjoy the wonders of spring!

Karen & Millie

Annual Knit & Crochet Along

 Attention Knitters & Crocheters!

Announcing the “Project Linus Annual Knit & Crochet Along” 

The annual "Knit & Crochet Along" is a time where you can create a beautiful knit and/or crocheted blanket.  Registration is now open and runs through Friday, March 22, 2024.  You can register for either the knit or crochet pattern, or you can register for both.  Each pattern will be a $20 donation made at registration.  When you register, please indicate to apply the donation to the Salt Lake County UT chapter!  Go to www.projectlinus.org to register or for more information.

In Memoriam

 In Memory of Shirley Geary

June 25, 1936 - February 21, 2024

Last week we said goodbye to our dear friend, Shirley Geary.  She was a talented and productive member of our Salt Lake County Chapter of Project Linus.  She joined our chapter when it was opened in 2008.  She created beautiful crochet and fleece blankets continuously to the last week of her life.  She has given comfort to countless little children.  How fortunate we have been to have enjoyed these years with her.  We will miss her every day.

February Newsletter 2024

Greetings Blanketeers!

Happy February! With Punxsutawney Phil not seeing his shadow, it looks like spring might be just around the corner! As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of warmer days and blooming flowers, we're also undergoing some exciting transitions within our chapter.

It's with nervous excitement, I announce that I, Karen Heaton, will be transitioning into the role of Project Coordinator for our chapter. I'm excited about this opportunity to further serve our community.

However, I wouldn't be able to embark on this journey without the support and guidance of an exceptional mentor. That's why I'm grateful to announce that Millie Martensen will remain an active and vital part of our chapter as the assistant. Millie has been an invaluable source of knowledge and inspiration, and I'll be relying heavily on her expertise to maintain the high level of service to our community that she has consistently achieved.

As we transition roles and gear up for the upcoming spring season, I encourage each of you to bring forth your ideas, enthusiasm, and dedication. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community and continue to uphold the values of our chapter.

Thank you all for your ongoing support and commitment. Here's to an exciting journey ahead as we embrace the changes and hopefully welcome spring soon!

Please feel free to call, text or email me if you have any questions, concerns, ideas, etc., at 801.573.5271 or slcprojectlinus@gmail.com

Regards,

Karen & Millie

December Project Linus Newsletter 2024

Dear Blanketeers,

      Well, here we go again!  Are you ready to jump into 2024?  Before we start, we want to congratulate all of you for your amazing work during 2023.  Here is a summary of what your cooperative work accomplished in blanket deliveries to kids in need.

 Dontions to:

    Health and Hospitals            828

    Social Services                    1511

     Military Families                189

     Emergencies                        17

Total Donations in 2023        2545

Total since opening chapter    36,249

    Pretty amazing ins't it?  This is what you have created out of compassion for those little ones who need the security of a blanket hug.  Congratulations and thank you to all of you.  You Know Who You Are.  We hope you can feel the love.

                            Blanket Making Days 2024

     We will be maintaining our usual meeting days to work on blankets.  North Valley volunteers meet the first Monday of every  month at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.  South Valley volunteers meet the third Thursday of every month at Mount Vista Methodist Church.  Anyone interested is certainly invited to either or both.  Thanks goes out to Jackie Cohen for her leadership of this productive Riverton  arm of our county chapter.  

  North Valley  OSLC 10:00 - 1:00            South Valley MVMC  1:00 - 3:00

January 8                                                     January 17

February 5                                                   February 15

March 4                                                       March 21

April 1                                                        April 18

May 6                                                          May 16

June  3                                                         June 20

July 1                                                          July 18

August 5                                                    August 15

September 9                                              September 19

October 7                                                  October 17

November 4                                              November 21

December 2                                              December 19  

     We Celebrate Your Participation and Generosity.  

Best wishes for 2024

Millie and Karen  

                    

Nov/Dec Newsletter

  November 25, 2023      

Hello Blanketeers 

                    Where We Are and What’s Next       

     Wow! Year 2023 is flying by!  Already we are planning our   Christmas deliveries to kids - starting right after our December 4^th Blanket Making Day.  

     Put it on your calendar and please plan to come see everyone on blanket making day – the first Monday in December – that’s the 4^th. We will work on blankets from 10:00 to 12:00 and then pause for our annual sharing of a Christmas lunch.  

     Since we will be planning for food - it would be great to know if you are planning to attend.  Thanks for a heads up. 

 

                  Blanket Making Days for 2024

     

     Karen Heaton and I sponsor the Millcreek one at OSLC, and our meeting days are listed here:  

January 8, February 5, March 4, April 8, May 6, June 3, July 8, August 5, September 9, October 7, November 4, December 2. 

      

     Jackie Cohen and Chris Nash sponsor the Riverton blanket making day.  Their meeting days have been the third Wednesday.  This year they may have a change of date – to be announced.  

     You are welcome at either or both days. Sometimes these dates are flexible depending on other events or holidays. 

 

                      Quilts Donated by “Megs & Me”

     Meagan Taylor and her mom Kristi Castagno started in 2010 designing quilt patterns.  They say that making designer quilts, “mostly was an excuse to spend more time together.”  They love applique and embroidery quilts.  They found Project Linus and were happy to support our great cause.  They donated 33 beautifully done baby and small quilts for us to give to babies. We are so happy to be able to give these beautifully made quilts to kids.  Thanks Megs and Mom.

 

         Stretching to Reach the Many Needy Children   

     Thanks for your diligent devotion to kids who need a blanket hug. We project that when we finish delivering in December, we will be over 2500 blankets out to kids.  This only happens because of your work and contributions.  You are all to be congratulated.  

                           Where Do Our Blankets Go?

     They are delivered anywhere a child is in crisis or in need.  Here are some of the places we regularly deliver for these children. 

                  St Marks NICU

                  Alta View New Borne

                  Riverton Hospital 

                  Guardian ad Litem

                  Children’s Justice Center

                  Family Road Home

                  Refugee Services   

                  Hearts Knit Together

                  DDI Vantage Program

                  Joyful Welcome

                  Military Families

                  Disaster Relief

                  Royal Family Kids

                  Individual Kids in Crisis

                  Disaster victims 

                  Emergency and Police

                  And maybe others when a need arises.   

Your giving, and your work for these kids is important, appreciated and needed.  

 

         Sending you all wishes for a wonderful December. Happy Christmas,

Millie and Karen

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