Shop with a Cop - S. Jordan

The children took their blankets shopping with them.  I love seeing children "hug" their blankets!  Thank you to all the blanketeers who made this project possible.  You each make such a difference in the life of a child!

Shop with a Cop 2012

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  Blanketeers, warming hearts and bodies

  South Valley Journal 11/29/2012
  
  By Nathaniel Bingaman
  
  
  
  
  
  Volunteers recently made blankets for Shop with a Cop participants.

“Blanketeers” will take the place of elves for some children this Christmas season.
The South Jordan Police Department has requested 110 blankets to give to children as part of its participation in the annual Shop with a Cop event.
A national nonprofit organization called Project Linus has been asked to make blankets for Shop with a Cop. The mission of the group is to provide homemade blankets for children in need.
Shop with a Cop will take place on Dec. 8. The event partners up a child ages 4 to 8 with a police officer. The cop then escorts the child around a department store to purchase gifts for the participant’s family.  This year, each of the children will also receive their own blanket.
Kristan Vance, coordinator of the Salt Lake County Chapter of Project Linus, said she put her best people, or “Blanketeers” as the blanket makers are called, on the South Jordan project.
“It’s rewarding to get together with others who have a common purpose,” she said.
Volunteers from all over the valley of different ages, genders and beliefs came together to complete this project before Thanksgiving. Groups from the Friday Women’s Fellowship, Country Park Second Ward, the Jordan Parkway Ward, Mountain Vista United Methodist Church, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and many individual South Jordan residents came together to make 110 blankets.
On average, each blanket made by the group cost $10. This year, the Shop with a Cop program donated the money needed for the blankets.  Along with each blanket, the child receives a card with a poem and the name of the person who made their blanket.  Vance said the card stock material used to make those cards was donated anonymously.
Vance is in her third year as coordinator. She loves getting feedback from parents and children and enjoys being able to make a difference to those who receive the blankets.
One of the volunteers explained why she gave of her time and talents to this project.
“You never know where the blanket will go, or the arms it will end up in,” Kathy Morrow, a volunteer who enjoys “Blanketeering” said.

Kristin's corrections....Kristin's one year anniversary as coordinator for our chapter will be February 2013 & I've been involved with Project Linus atleast 3 years (I can't remember when Edrie introduced me to Kathy)  Kathy, our amazing previous coordinator, started the chapter in January 2007, so we will soon celebrate our 6th anniversary & are getting close to 10,000 blankets delivered.  The individual residents who helped with blankets live all over Salt Lake County.

Ditzy Chicks

a great day for making lots & lots of blankets!

friends, food & blanket making!  Thank you ladies for all your work & 30 blankets completed for South Jordan's Shop with a Cop event!

December newsletter

Nov 25, 2012                                       Blankets delivered:    9905      

 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, Melissa or Millie know if you have any questions.

“Make a Blanket Day” for the north VALLEY WILL be Monday december 3rd... come join us at Our Saviour’s Lutheran church 3900 S. 2500 E, holladay From 10am-2pm. 

  (801) 278-1412

south valley make a blanket day has been cancelled for december

i hope everyone can join us in north valley for our christmas lunch & dessert.  We'll get some blanket making done, but enjoy some time for visiting and to support the 2nd part of project linus' mission: to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for the benefit of children.  if any south valley ladies want to carpool, contact kristin

A nOTE FROM HEADQUARTERS to chapter coordinators:

I just want to take a quick moment in the hustle bustle of this Thanksgiving Eve to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I have so much to be grateful for, and right up there is my work with Project Linus and my association and friendship with all of you. I'm thankful for your continued support (and patience) and for all the work you do to bring comfort and love to children. Thank you for joining with me in furthering the Project Linus mission.
Whatever your plans for the holiday, I hope you have a great day. I count you among my most treasured blessings.
Carol Babbitt

So much to be thankful for this week.  I hope you have all had a wonderful Thanksgiving & were able to spend it with family or friends.  I'm also excited to share that were able to do some extra deliveries this month for Christmas.  We regularly deliver to Neighborhood House and this month we added some extras for their book & blanket night event in December.  We are also delivering to Lutheran Social Services for the younger children for Christmas.  It makes my heart feel so good that we can reach out to others this holiday season.  Thank you for all of your extra work and dedication to our chapter.  Each of your contributions make a huge difference as a whole.

Thank to all who helped complete the Shop with a Cop service project.  We were very fortunate to receive the funding for the materials and many helping hands came together to complete 110 blankets in just a few weeks.  We gathered some extra groups and project days to pull it all together.  Thank you to our North Valley & South Valley ladies...you are so dedicated!  Thank you to the students of Rowland Hall, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church ladies, Mountain Vista United Methodist Church ladies & Jean Ann, Country Park 2nd Ward & Kari, Charing Cross Ward, Women's Fellowship, Jordan Parkway Ward,  Paige & Andrea Shipman & the Ditzy Chicks.

There's a group of ladies that call themselves "The Ditzy Chicks" and they whipped out 30 fringed blankets in a happy work day that included lunch, hours of visiting, and the satisfaction of creating something lasting for kids.  One of the Ditzie’s, Beverly Cook, is also an accomplished poet.  She was very touched by the project and sent her reactions in the form of a poem for us all.  Here are some of her stanzas.

                        THE GIFT OF LINUS BLANKETS

                        Caring and willing women

                                    prepare,  plait,  and tie

                                    fringes on fleece blankets.

                        Their happy flying fingers create

                                    blankets that cling and caress

                                    soft and warm – to ward off fright.

                        The blankets bring smiles and comfort

                                    to the often forgotten ones

                                    and a twinkle to the eyes of ladies.

Keep a close eye on our blankets donated number...we are so close to 10,000!  Our chapter was started by Kathy in January 2007, so I know we'll meet that milestone before our 6th anniversary!

Hugs to you ,

Kristin, Melissa & Millie

November newsletter

October 29, 2012                                    Blankets delivered: 9804    

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, Melissa or Millie 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.  *** also check the blog for pictures, we try to include  few of the blankets that stand out or are completed by children *** We see so many beautiful blankets that we want to share!!  You ladies are a talented group!

“Make a Blanket Day” for the north VALLEY WILL be Monday november 5th... 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 tuesday november 13th at the South Jordan Library from 10:15 – 2:00.  ***notice this is a week earlier than normal, due to the thanksgiving holiday *** sorry, no food at the library.

We have a new drop off location!!  Millie contacted Hancock Fabrics located at 700 East and 3300 South.  We have a box in the store, so if you are unable to make it to a blanket day and have a finished blanket (or would like to donate materials, like no-sew fleece), this is another location to leave it for us to pick up.  Please place any donation in a bag with a note including your name, contact phone, e mail or mailing address so we know who to acknowledge.  Also, if you shop Hancock Fabrics for PL supplies, ask them for a teacher discount card & show them you Project Linus volunteer card.  This provides an additional 15% discount off sale prices for your materials you donate.  Please only use them on materials you are donating.  They are kindly offering this for help in the cost of materials to benefit Project Linus.  Thank you for your support!

It's been a busy month, with lots of blankets being made.  Kristin, Kathy, Millie & Millie's friend Linda enjoyed working with the student of Rowland Hall, for their half day of service.  It was a great, enthusiastic group!  The students all bring a piece or  two of fleece & any fabric not finished, they send with us as a materials donation.  Rowland Hall donated 43 finished blankets & 26 pieces of fleece!  I have posted a couple of pictures on the blog.  I really loved their t shirts which were printed with "WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE DO, BUT WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE," Sir Winston Churchill

Our other big project currently underway are the blankets being made for South Jordan's Shop with a Cop.  Last year we provided medium size blankets to at least 100 deserving children in their program.  These children have had some contact with law enforcement, sometimes not always positive.  This program allows them to have a good experience & some fun with the police officers.  We are in process of fulfilling the request for 110 blankets & we were ecstatic that all supplies were purchased by the Shop with a Cop program!  We are the blanket makers for this project & that is the best part.  Thank you to all the loving blanketeers making this project possible!  I'm hoping all blankets are completed by Thanksgiving.  Please turn in all blankets to Kristin. 

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for fall to come back!    Unfortunately I've lived here long enough to know that's not happening...so now that it's chilly I won't  feel like I need to do yard work, but I'm ready to settle in with my steamy mug to keep warm & crochet or stitch.  I have several unfinished projects that are requiring my attention, now I need to get organized! 

I want to send an extra thank you to one of our drop off locations, the Cotton Shop.  They recently were a part of a Quilting event & were demonstrating a new machine which stitches a fun edge on fleece blankets.  When participants played with & learned to use the machine they stitched several blankets that were donated to us!  They are fun & beautiful solid colored blankets with a rainbow stitched edge.  We appreciate the Cotton Shop's foresight to make blankets out of the practice materials and to hand out our cards & include our poster at their event. 

As we approach the holiday season (I'm not ready to see Christmas trees & decorations in the store, but no one asked me!)  Please keep Project Linus in mind.  Do not feel obligated to do more than you want, and there is no way we could function without all the blanketeers who are dedicated and blanket make with us every month.  Your regular and continued support is what keeps our chapter functioning.  I know lots of charities send out notices & ask for donations during this time of the year.  When you think of your favorite charity, think of our Salt Lake County chapter of Project Linus!  There are a handful of things we need to purchase to take care of the little things.  Things like blanket labels, blanket tags, printer ink, cardstock & paper, stamps, cutting blades, masking tape & new scissors.  All of us use lots of our personal items, but for work days we have to restock our supply boxes through the year.  Cash donations are greatly appreciated for these types of items.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to Project Linus in Salt Lake County.  Whether you make blankets, sew labels on, package blankets, 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,

Kristin, Melissa & Millie

Rowland Hall 2012 Half day of Service

thank you to all the students who participated, it was a great afternoon!

  

dedicated, to the very end!!

October Newsletter

Sept 30, 2012

Blankets delivered:    9695    

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, Melissa or Millie know if you have any questions.

I hope you are able to see our newsletter on the blog.  It's been an easy way for it to be viewed & also for additional notes to be posted to the blog.  Let me know if you have any suggestions to keep our blanketeers up to date or aware of things coming up.

“Make a Blanket Day” for the north VALLEY WILL be Monday october 1st... 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 tuesday october 16th at the South Jordan Library from 10:15 – 2:00.  sorry, no food at the library.

Thank you to our blanketeers who are always there, month to month.  We are able to keep doing amazing things, because of all your hard work & dedication.  Don't ever think we've forgotten you, you are all so important & we so appreciate you!!

As we move into fall, I hope everyone is slowing down from the pace of summer & taking time to enjoy the cooler weather.  I'm loving my windows being open & the crisp mornings of fall.  I'm just crossing my fingers that the snow is not around the corner & we enjoy the fall for a few more weeks.  The needs of children are always year round, but I know for me I get more projects accomplished when it gets darker earlier in the evening & snuggle under a blanket to crochet an edge while spending the evening with my family.

Help needed!!!  We are looking for some blanketeers who are willing & able to work on denim quilts.  We received a large donation of denim and we need to make it into teen size denim quilts.  Please let me know if you are interested.  The denim needs cut into squares, sewed, backed, tied & binded.  I've received some input on different styles or ways to do denim quilts, so let me know your ideas & if you can help!!  Also, I'm in need of volunteers to help prepare blocks for a coloring book quilt day with elementary students.  We need to iron muslin, trace a coloring book picture with sharpie & iron onto freezer paper.  Let Kristin know if you can help with either of the projects above.

Donations needed!!  As part of getting our denim quilts made, we also need fabric to back the denim.  Keep an eye out for flannels that are teen appropriate.  These quilts will be made larger for our teen age group.  If you have any scraps or are able to donate larger pieces, we will make good use of the materials!!

A thank you to share....from Rebecca.  Dear Mountain Vista Church Ladies, You're awesome! Thank you so much for the beautiful blanket!  We recently became foster parents to a 4 months baby boy.  Originally we were expecting older children, so we were not prepared for a baby.  We had no baby stuff, so the baby blanket really helped us out.  Thanks again for sharing your talents and time with us.

Here are a couple of others who have mentioned us in their blogs.  

http://www.lifeshouldcostless.com/2012/09/you-made-your-own-cloth-diapers-now-what.html

http://www.kids4quilts.com/index.html

http://blackberry-bramble.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-05-07T18:09:00-07:00&max-results=7

On September 13th, Melissa & I met with a group of high school students & another blanketeer Karri who helped organize the work day.  Karri's son Nick, a freshman at a private school called  Realms of Inquiry high school,  is doing his Eagle Scout project to benefit our chapter.  He's been volunteering & making blankets & doing an awesome job! Nick gathered students from his high school for a few hours of service.  We labeled, packaged & made blankets.  We also started to cut up jeans into usable pieces for our denim quilts.  We are happy to get a few teens involved & helping with Project Linus!

Thank you to everyone who contributes to Project Linus in Salt Lake County.  Whether you make blankets, sew labels on, package blankets, deliver 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,

Kristin, Melissa & Millie

email: slcprojectlinus@gmail.com

Kristin cell 801-386-5917