2025 October Newsletter

Welcome to October!

The leaves are turning, pumpkin spice is in the air, and there's no better time to cozy up with stories that warm the heart. In this fall-filled edition, we're sharing a touching story from a nurse about the comfort our blankets bring; a behind-the-scenes peek at the beautiful creations made by cruisers aboard Holland America Line; and how we're wrapping our support around the incredible families of Snowball Express.

So grab your favorite blanket, a mug of something warm, settle in and enjoy this months newsletter!

Karen & Millie

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The Ripple Effect of a Blanket

At Project Linus, we often focus on the joy our blankets bring to the children who receive them but their impact goes far beyond that. Each blanket carries with it a ripple of love and connection, touching lives all along its journey: from the hands that create it, to those who deliver it, to the moment it's lovingly placed in a child's arms.

This truth really hit home for me last month during a special visit. My daughter and two of her best friends were visiting from Maryland and we had a whirlwind few days together. We explored from Sandy to Snowbird to the stunning red rocks of Arches National Park. We experienced all kinds of weather and obstacles but persevered through it all. One experience was especially unforgettable thanks to the pouring rain. The massive waterfalls pouring over red sandstone cliffs were absolutely breathtaking!

During our travels, we had lots of time to talk and catch up. As I shared updates about Project Linus, my daughter's friend (who happens to be a pediatric nurse) lit up with her own story. She recalled how, during her time working at a hospital pediatrics unit, the nurses would get genuinely excited to enter the blanket storage room. It was a joyful ritual. They choose the right blanket for each child. They placed it gently on their bed and watched their eyes light up when they realized it was theirs to keep. A blanket made just for them. Filled with love. Something they could take home and keep forever.

Her story reminded me how many hearts are touched by these blankets, far more than we often realize. The blanket creators and makers, the volunteers who deliver them, the healthcare workers and organizations that present them and of course, the children who feel comforted, seen, and loved.

We truly touch a lot of lives with every single stitch.

Blankets, Boats & Big Hearts: The Story of Mary, Gail, and a Ship Full of Stitchers

Jackie Cohen shared this story from her friends Donna and John, who sail world cruises every January.

What do you get when you mix a three-month world cruise, hundreds of skeins of yarn, and a bunch of crafty cruisers with big hearts? You get one of the most heartwarming high seas traditions we've ever heard of!

Meet Marty and Gail, a dynamic duo from Florida. They have made world cruising with Holland America more than just a vacation. It's become a floating blanket factory for a great cause! Years ago, they launched a clever campaign aboard their long-haul voyages to support Project Linus. They rallied fellow passengers to knit and crochet blankets for children in need.

With months at sea and plenty of downtime, Mary and Gail saw the perfect opportunity to do something meaningful (and a little cozy). Holland America jumped on board - literally - offering meeting space, supplies, and support. Marty and Gail even bring loads of yarn from their local Project Linus chapter. Returning cruisers often arrive with finished blankets in their suitcases, ready to dive back into stitching at sea.

The ship is now a hive of creativity: daily knit-and-crochet gatherings, projects in progress at every lounge and lido deck, and a whole community of kind-hearted crafters clicking their needles together as the shop crosses the globe.

Toward the end of the voyage, a few lucky blankets go up for auction. The proceeds are used to buy more yarn for the next journey. Talk about full-circle generosity!

Turns out kindness really can travel the world - one stitch at a time.

Want to learn more? Check out the full article here:

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/newsroom/newsfeed/news-051024-holland-america-line-cruisers-knit-blankets

Snowball Express

Each year, the Gary Sinise Snowball Express event brings comfort and joy to children of our fallen military heroes and Project Linus is honored to be a part of it. This special event will be held in December 2025 at Disney World. It is one of just two nationwide efforts where Project Linus provides blankets to support these incredible kids. In total, about 2,000 cozy, handmade blankets are donated!

Our chapter was proud to contribute blankets for this years event. Many thanks to the tireless coordination of Jackie Cohen, one of our amazing blanketeers. In addition to making blankets for the event, she helped gather blankets from others who donate to our project. She prepped the blankets, secured the funds for shipping and shipped our chapter's beautiful patriotic-themed blankets with care and love.