Sunday, February 21, 2016

March 2016 Newsletter

Hi Blanketeers,
      
I know it’s just February -  but it’s beginning to feel like Spring! 
Our February month was exciting and productive!  We have welcomed new blanketeers, and received blankets from volunteer groups, as well as donated fleece for us to turn into blankets.

Make a blanket days this month are:
North Valley – March 7th – at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Holladay from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. 
South Valley – March 24th – at Riverton Senior Center from 9:30 to Noon.

Come and join the fun.   Bring a piece of fleece to work on, or just come over and we will find something for you to work on.

Learning “To Give” at a Young Age



With the help of his mom Stephanie, 7 year old Aiden Barlocker made two fringed blankets - one for a boy his age and one for a girl.  He is pictured here with his little brother and the two lovely blankets.  His school encouraged the children to do volunteer projects for other children who are less fortunate than them selves. 


Brother & Sister Act!


Jayden and Coleman Moss, a sister and brother team, are doing volunteer work as they prepare for their service missions with the agency – Youth-Linc.  They will be serving with other teenagers in Peru and Madagascar.  One of their projects was to make 16 large fringed double-sided fleece blankets to contribute to Project Linus.  It is so great to see young people helping others.  


A New Quilter


Lynette Powell, who found us on-line, has contributed 10 beautiful quilts.  She inherited a windfall of fabric a couple of years ago and decided to teach herself to quilt!  She wanted to work with other Linus volunteers, but obligations kept her at home, so quilting was a natural for her.  Lynette lives in West Jordan with her husband John, and her little dog, Beauty. 
     
In looking for a recipient for the quilts she heard of Project Linus from her sister who has donated to the project chapter in Maryland. Welcome to SLC Chapter Lynette, and thank you for your beautiful contributions.   

Spotlight on Blanketeer - Patsy Bueno


Patsy, who is a new addition to SLC Project Linus, has already become active in both North and South valley blanket days as well as quilt making, label sewing, and packaging blankets for delivery.   

Patsy is a retired school Superintendent from Price Utah, who is now living in Herriman.  Patsy started in the education field as a teacher’s aide in the classroom and then pursued advanced degrees.  She worked her way up thru doing every single job in her district - with the exception of driving the school bus and cooking in the kitchen.  Her husband, Tony also retired, spent 40 years with the railroad.   They have a son, a daughter and 7 grand children. 

Patsy has always done crochet and cross-stitch but only began to sew on the machine since she began sewing for PL.   Patsy was introduced to PL this past September by one of our very active Chapter members, Jackie Cohen.    

Welcome to our chapter Patsy and thanks for jumping in with all your enthusiasm and skill.  


 


  

Saturday, January 16, 2016

February 2016 Newsletter


Dear Blanketeers,
I am excited about being asked to coordinate our Chapter of Project Linus, and I am looking forward to the continued success of our Chapter.  I want to be sure that all of you who receive this newsletter have my cell phone number: 801-656-9229. Call me anytime I can help you with a project, answer a question, pick up finished blankets or visit with you about whatever is on your mind.
Hugs to you all who work with Project Linus.
Millie
 
 upcoming blanket days



South Valley blanket day - usually the fourth Friday of each month.  Friday, January 22nd at Riverton Senior Center in Riverton from 9:30am to noon.  If you have any questions about this project day, please email our chair person Lynn Milsap lynnmilsap@gmail.com ( Friday, February 26th will be our next work day).

North Valley blanket day - usually the first Monday of each month.  Monday, February 1st at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Holladay from 10:00am to 2:00pm. 
 
   St Mary’s Catholic Church

Dr. Kathy Osler had just completed a blanket-making project with her 14 year old pre-confirmation boys and girls from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Park City.  A few days later, a baby (snuggled in his Linus blanket) was treated at her private practice office.  She was pleased to see the beautiful crochet flannel that the baby had received while in the NICU at St. Mark’s Hospital, and excited to tell the mom that she had been working on the same project – Project Linus.

                                                          
Group Participation  

This past month we have received blankets from three group projects:  Riverton Ranch Ward, Kearns 14th Ward.  Mr. Lindgen’s 4th grade class at Highland Park Elementary School, and from McGillis Elementary School.  Teachers have learned the process and then closely supervise the kids to help them to complete no-sew blankets. 
Congregation Kol Ami

     Again this year, Congregation Kol Ami has made blankets on their Shabbat volunteer service day at Synagogue.  Nicole Fenwick has been an organizer of the project for the 3rd year.  We are so happy to have regular contributors who love to make blankets for kids.

                                                              Olympia Romero
 

Project Linus gratefully acknowledges the large donation of fabric made by the family of Olympia Romero.  Olympia was an original blanketeer!  She made hundreds of blankets and quilts for her family, extended family and to those in need.  Her blankets were beautiful, lovely quilted comforters made with patience and love.  They were contemporary squares of cotton, denim and fleece that served as blankets for many children, including grandchildren, grandnieces and grandnephews.  Her blankets were fun, including sports team logos and appliqued numbered jerseys for many sports fans.   One of Olympia's greatest joys was working on projects where she could give of her talents and time to those in need.  She passed away unexpectedly after a short illness on October 5, 2015.  She is greatly missed by countless family, friends and other loved ones.  Her family is touched to know that her fabrics will continue bringing comfort to children, a cause that was near and dear to her heart.
 
To all of you who work with Project Linus - please know how much you are appreciated.  We always enjoy seeing you at our scheduled blanket days!
Millie

Monday, December 28, 2015

January 2016 Newsletter


Blanketeer’s Christmas Party

   What a great turn out for the "kick off" into the holiday season!  On December 7th we worked, had a wonderful luncheon and enjoyed sharing stories of accomplishments and successes of 2015.  These happy faces are feeling great and looking forward to 2016.  The amazing service that our blanketeers give to children is truly a huge benefit to our community.
 
 
We also want to thank Our Saviour's Lutheran Church for providing us a space to gather each month.  We have a standing place on their calendar and it's so wonderful!


 
 
A big thank you from Kristin & Millie for all that you do! We have had an amazing year and the regular volunteers keep our chapter moving forward.  We so appreciate you all!

 

North Valley blanket day (first Monday each month)

Monday, January 4th 10:00am to 2:00pm
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 2500 E 3900 S, Holladay
We have a lot of fun and would love to have you join us for some project time and fellowship.  For more information or questions, please contact Millie slcprojectlinus@gmail.com
 
 

 South Valley blanket day (4th Friday of each month)

Please join the group at the Riverton Senior Center on Friday, January 22nd from 9:30am to noon
for more information, contact our chairperson Lynn Milsap lynnmilsap@gmail.com
 
 
 
 

Changes in 2016

With the new year comes some change to our chapter.  Millie joined me in the co-coordinator role to help with the housekeeping
and other items for our chapter.  The time has now come for me to step away from coordinating and go back to blanketeer status.  It's been a tough decision, but there are only so many hours in the day.  Millie has been so amazing and taking on most all of the tasks already, so it will be a slight shift in things.  I also appreciate Dean for all of his support on the project, helping with many items that keep our chapter running.  My new job includes travel to the main office site in Playa Vista, California (near L.A.)  and balancing work, home and teenagers is a challenge!  All of you that I've met as part of this chapter are amazing!  I know you all love the chapter and will keep doing the great work you do!  I can't thank you all enough for touching my life.  I hope I can grow up to be just like you all; giving, volunteering, cultivating life long friendships.  I thank each and every one of you for all that you've done and I know it has a tremendous impact on children in our community.  Keep up the beautiful work!  I hope to join you on occasion going forward.  Thank you for being you!  - with a blanket hug, Kristin

Annual Christmas Event – “Shop-With-A-Cop”

    This is another wonderful event for children who have suffered.  We are so proud to be a participant with Darren Orr, who produces the Shop-With-a-Cop event, every Christmas season.  He writes:
          “ We had 105 children…the most we have ever had. 
             The blankets were a huge hit.  We love that this
             has become a part of our event.  The comfort that
             a child receives from a blanket is truly unique. 
             I thank you very much for your continued support.”   
                                                   Darren  Orr

A successful 2015!

Some numbers to share with you all about our distribution.  2015 was a great year for donations and distributions!  This year we delivered 2247 blankets to the children of Salt Lake County and Tooele.  What a great year!  This brings the grand total of blankets delivered, since our chapter started, to a total of 16019!!!  Every blanket you make, is a gift to a child in crisis.  Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication!
 
 
We hope you all enjoyed the holidays and look forward to health and happiness for 2016! 
 
Millie & Kristin

Sunday, November 29, 2015

December newsletter



 
 Dear Blanketeers, 
What a year it has been!  Thank you for all that you do!  As of the quarter ending in September, for 2015 we have donated a total of 1579 blankets to children in Salt Lake County and Tooele.  Isn't what wonderful?  That means on average 175 blanket per month are made, distributed and loved!  Your dedication and continued support allows our chapter to do amazing things! 

 

Please join us on Monday, December 7th at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 2500 E 3900 S, Holladay.  It's the north valley blanket day from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  We will serve lunch about noon. 

We hope you can join us, as we gather to celebrate together!

 

Bluffdale 14th Ward 

 This month, the enrichment coordinator for the Bluffdale Ward, Annie Gatrell, and relief society president, Tammy Oldroyd, organized an event to make blankets.  Thanks to them, and the volunteers at the event, we have 17 new well-made blankets
to distribute to children.  As you see by their pictures below, they are enjoying their service project and we send them a big thank you.
 

 

Project Sanctuary Retreat 

       The second year in succession we have the privilege to donate
blankets to the children of military families who gather at the National Abilities Center in Park City.   Their program includes counseling, building self-esteem, and sharing experiences with other military families.  
      Missy Hyatt who directs the program says, “Thanks to everyone at Project Linus.  Our kids love your beautiful blankets.   Thanks you so much.”
 

Happy 20th Birthday Project Linus!!!
It's hard to believe it's true!  On December 24, 2015, Project Linus will celebrate its 20th Birthday. On Christmas Eve 1995, Karen Loucks Rinedollar, our founder, was inspired by a simple article in a weekly paper that perhaps....perhaps children could be touched, loved, and comforted by a warm snuggly handmade blanket. She quickly realized that she couldn't do this alone and would need volunteers to help. At the time, Karen didn't really have any volunteers, but what she did have was a vision, and friends, and an idea. She was able to put into motion a grassroots effort that has over the years transformed into a nationwide blanket-making army of approximately 75,000 people.
By the time our 20th Birthday arrives, Project Linus will have donated close to 6 MILLION blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or in need. 6 MILLION.
Millions of children and adults have either received the comfort that a handmade blanket can bring, or have been uplifted in the service of children. We are thrilled that Project Linus has grown into the force for good that we know today.
from the Blanket Beacon, October 2015 (Thank you Carol for sharing the article)
 

 

Itineris Early  College High School

  High School student, Emilee Hansen, is leading a group of student volunteers in a month long service project making for Project Linus.  Emilee and three teachers met with Millie at their West Jordan campus last week. 

They learned and practiced the no-sew fleece blanket technique.  Their plan is to teach it to other students who plan to make blankets over the coming month.   The trend for students to become involved in service projects is a positive one.  Thanks Emilee. 

     

Saint Mary's Catholic Church

 Dr. Kathy Osborn, took time out from her busy practice as a pediatrician, to come to Millie’s house last month to learn the no-sew blanket process.  She, and the young women she sponsors at Saint Mary’s Church in Park City, made blankets at their annual service day event on November 15th.  Her girls wanted to do something nice for children to get started on their Christmas season giving.  Thanks Dr. Osborn and your young women.       


It's been a great year!  We hope you are able to join us for our luncheon and spend some time together.  We appreciate each and every one of you!

Kristin & Millie
 

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Christmas luncheon

Save the date!  We will enjoy Christmas lunch together at the North Valley blanket day on Monday, December 7th.  Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Holladay.

Please join us for some blanket making and time together!  Lunch will be served about 12:00pm.

We hope to see you soon!

Millie & Kristin