September newsletter

Sept 23,2011

Blankets delivered: 7921

Dear Blanketeers,

Welcome to the new Blanketeers who have joined our chapter during the past month, we’re so glad to have you with us and hope you’ll love Project Linus as much as we do. Be sure and let Kristin or Kathy know if you have any questions.

Be sure and check out our blog - slcprojectlinus.blogspot.com. On the blog you’ll find the current newsletter, updates on blanket donations, instructions for making fleece blankets (great for people who can’t attend Make a Blanket Days and want to make fleece blankets), and do’s and don’ts.

“Make a Blanket Day” for the north VALLEY WILL be Oct .3 ... come join us at Our Saviour’s Lutheran church 3900 S. 2500 E. From 10-2. Bring your lunch – we have a wonderful time!!

The next South Valley “Make a Blanket Day” will be Oct. 18 at the South Jordan Library from 10:15 – 2:00. We’re building a nice size group, the ladies are very friendly and welcoming, AND we hope you’ll join us.

Our chapter is looking for a new coordinator: I’ve loved being the coordinator for our chapter for the past 5 years, meeting so many talented, generous blanket makers and having the honor of delivering your lovingly made blankets to the children. Each time I deliver blankets, the thanks you’s from the recipients are so heartfelt and I am humbled by the need for the love and security our blankets represent. But, the time has come for me to step down as the chapter coordinator. Kristin is able to stay on as chapter assistant coordinator and is able to share most of the responsibilities and she knows all the ins and outs of chapter management.

The coordinator should coordinate the chapter activities not necessarily DO them all. The responsibilities include picking up blankets from the drop-off locations, packaging the blankets for delivery, and then delivering the blankets. Many of you have helped with these responsibilities and Kristin and I deeply appreciate your time. We also work on publicity, fundraising, thank you note writing and answering phone calls. Headquarters requires a quarterly and yearly report filed electronically both of which take only about 5-10 minutes. I probably spend 1-2 hours per day working on Project Linus.

The new coordinator needs to have a place to store the blankets until they are delivered. Kristin and I have worked lately to get to a system so that blankets come in and go out quickly so there isn’t a lot of time with lots of blankets in my house.

Project Linus headquarters is a wonderful resource for a new coordinator and coordinators have access to a Yahoo. Groups chat site for that is full of great ideas …. You’re never alone while you’re a coordinator.

I hope you will give considerable thought to being the coordinator of our chapter. The rewards are beyond your imagining. Please give me a call (801-302-8096) or send me an email if you’re interested.

Just a note – we talk a lot about making fleece blankets but we dearly love crocheted and knitted blankets as well as quilts. So where ever your talents lie we would love to receive your gifts of love.

This year we will again participate in Shop with a Cop. We will be donating 160 medium sized blankets. We’ve been able to save up 70 blankets, so if you’re wondering what we need it would be 90 more medium blankets for boys and girls – be sure they are colorful with kid friendly prints – thanks so much!!!

Thank you to everyone who contributes to Project Linus in Salt Lake County. Whether you make blankets, sew labels on, package blankets, donate funds for shipping and stamps, or donate paper, yarn or fabric, each one of you helps to grow our chapter so we may give a little bit of love and security to a child in crisis.

Hugs to you all,

Kathy & Kristin