Thursday, May 23, 2019

 June Newsletter 2019        
Hello Blanketeers, 

 Hearts Knit Together 

We are so pleased to have discovered another place through which to distribute security blankets to children in crisis.  Hearts Knit Together is a 501c3 non-profit. The Executive Director is Linda Simmons. The focus of this volunteer organization is on the YWCA Women in Jeopardy program for battered women and children.  

They put together separate kits of necessary and comfort items that are placed on the beds of women who check into the shelters for help.  These women usually have their children with them. 
Linda was in need of blankets for the children’s kits.  She prefers fleece, one and a half yards – using the fringe loop pattern we use, but only fringed on the two longer ends of the fabric.  That makes them less bulky and easier to fit into the kits. They also have been pleased to accept crochet edged blankets and receiving blankets.  

She sometimes receives fleece that is not made into blankets.  This has become a win-win partnership.  She will send the fleece thru us to work on and we will return them as beautiful blankets.  Kits pictured Here

 The Magic of a Security Blanket

Recently I had occasion (not a happy one) to be waiting in a California Emergency Room for several hours. Here is something I learned. 
People of every age and ability came in for service during that time.  At lease half of the people who came in for help, also carried with them their security blankets – most of them fleece:  

..A woman with an 18 month old and a new baby (both snuggled in fleece blankets.)
..An older woman in a wheel chair who had her head and shoulders covered with her blankets
..An older man who put the blanket over his knees
..A 13 year-old boy who had his fleece blanket wadded up in his lap and his phone on top of it to play on 
..An older teenage girl 
..A 4 year-old boy 
..A young adult woman – all with blankets for comfort.  

These blankets were not made by Linus volunteers – but it made me realize how much comfort the blankets are when people need hugs and security.    
     
       JUNE BLANKET MAKING DAYS
We are looking forward to working with you soon: 

OSLC  - June 3rd– 10:00 to 2:00  Join us to work – we will have fleece for your use that day.  

Riverton Senior Center – June 28th9:30 to noon.  Jackie will be back to guide you.  

Happy June,   
Millie and Patsy