July 2023 Newsletter

Hi Blanketeers, 

 

     Of course we realize that it’s really going to be hot this month, and no one needs a fleece blanket to keep warm. But our blankets are not just for warmth – they are security and comfort hugs for kids as well. So our work goes on. 

 

     Our next blanket day will be Monday July 10^th at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  

     Riverton Group will meet at Mt Vista Methodist Church on July 19^th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  

 

                        A fun “Thank You Note”

    This from a child at DDI Vantage program where we have given blankets for several years.  

Don’t know if you can read the message – but it says:

      “Dear Shomwon  - Thank you so much for the blanket It is perfect for a picnic.”  

                          Fund Raising

     The fund-raising part of our chapter is important.  Our blanketeers want to be busy making blankets, but their own private funds can only go so far.  

     Jackie has taught me how to apply for Walmart grants that are designed for nonprofit organizations that serve the needy.  We have been approved for two so far,  at $500 each.  Funds will transfer in a couple of months thru the P.L. national office. 

 

                                 Quilting/Quilts

     Making a quilt is one of the most creative types of sewing possible.  There are no rules about color, sizes of fabric pieces put together, backing, or batting.  They can be tied throughout, stitched on a sewing machine, or stitch throughout by a long-arm machine.  

     A “make a quilt day” was held at Chris Nash’s house in June.  Everyone was assigned a particular part of the quilt process – the design, the cutting, the ironing, the backing, the sewing, the batting, and finishing.  Here is one of them.

 

                   Kids Summer Camps

     Again this summer, we are pleased to have contributed to the “Royal Kids Camp” that was sponsored by WICK program.  Also, we have delivered quilts to the Camp Williams summer camps for kids.  

     We are still delivering blankets to children thru age 18, at Riverton Hospital in all areas from Emergency to In-Patient and Out-Patient areas.  We are happy to be helping kids survive their trauma and have the comfort of a security blanket while they are being treated at the hospital.  

 

Thanks to all of you who contribute to the happiness and comfort of children.  

 

Millie and Karen 

 May/June Newsletter 2023

Hi Blanketeers,

 

     Well, somehow I lost the month of April!  Surgery will do that to a person.  But, the work of the blanketeers did not stop in my absence.  

                            

                                          Buying Wisely

      Jackie Cohen has taught me how to shop for fleece on-line and get great prices by buying bolts of fabric and having it delivered to my porch.  We are always looking for ways to save

our donated funds and stretch them.

    Speaking of finances – we also accept donated cotton and fleece fabric as well as yarn.  Batting is our most expensive item.  We are often lucky enough to receive the benefits of someone’s down-sizing or retiring from sewing or quilting.  If you ever have unneeded or excess supplies, just send us a note.

                                  Involving Youth

         Last month Jackie received an invitation to attend a junior high sewing class to tell the students about PL. As part of this visit, she demonstrated quilting ideas and students participated.    

From the teacher:  

      “Thank you so much for your time with my students and for        everything you do for the community. Through sewing classes, I’ll slowly introduce the younger generation to Project Linus and quilting.”

                            Riverton Blanket Day

     Attendance at Mount Vista Church blanket day is growing.  Our blanket makers work on fringed edge fleece while the Mt Vista quilters work on cotton.  Friendships have blossomed and we are so appreciative of this shared space arrangement.  Next meeting will be at 1:00 pm on June 21^st – the first day of Summer!  

                          

                              OSLC Blanket Day

  Join us on June 5^th from 10:00 to 1:00, as we create fringed fleece blankets.  No need to bring anything as we have the supplies for this work-day. 3900 So. 2500 E.  

 

                              Sweet Charity Sisters

     We are enjoying our cooperative blanket work with Claudeen Luckart’s charitable service organization.  Her quilt makers have put together more than 100 quilt top kits for PL.  The kits were designed, cut, created, and distributed by Chris Nash and Jackie Cohen.  As they are returned, they are ready to line with

 batting and sew into quilts.  Very creative and innovative idea.  

                                          

                           Make a Quilt Day

      On June 10th a quilt-making event will be sponsored and held at Chris Nash’s home.  On this day you will be able to participate in each step of making a quilt - from the design to cutting to sewing, and finally to putting in the batting and edging the quilt.   It’s a fun social day – plan on lunch there.  Call Chris if interested call 801-550-9916

 

     Our next “push” will be getting ready for the summer kids camps  sponsored by various charitable organizations.  Thanks for all you do.  

 

Blanketeers are amazing!

 

Millie and Karen

Happy Snowy Spring

 Spring Newsletter 2023

Hello Blanketeers,     

     It seems like everyone is off somewhere on spring break this month, but…..we are still planning to have a blanket making day on Monday, April 3^rd.  Hope you can make it over to Our Saviours Lutheran Church 10:00 am.

     Not only do we have lots of fleece to work on, but it is a convenient time for some of you to deliver the blankets you have completed. 

              

                      Group Quilting Day 

      Last month Chris Nash (and her sister Jackie Cohen,) hosted a group quilting day at her home in Riverton.  The plan was to teach our volunteers the process of quilt making.  They created quilts and quilt kits from start to finish.  They covered  every step from designing, sewing, batting, ironing, cutting, and finishing. 

            

                 

         

  Quilts for Soldier’s Kids

     We are well on our way to accumulating the number of quilts needed for the summer camps and for children whose fathers/mothers have been deployed to distant assignments. 

 

  Hospitals

    Our Riverton Hospital Children’s program has expanded to include the NICU as well as In-Patient, Out-Patient, and Emergency, at that hospital.  Now we are looking forward to expanding to the NICU at Alta View Hospital.  

 

                Mtn Vista Methodist Church

       MVMC blanket makers have always exclusively donated their blankets to PL  They meet every Wednesday. These church quilters for many years, have exclusively donated their quilts to PL.  

     Now our no-sew blanket makers, who comprise the “Riverton Group” have joined them - once a month. Their next meeting will be the 19^th of April at 1:00pm. Sisters Jackie and Chris are enjoying great success with many new blanketeers joining their blanket days sharing MVMC space to work. 

 

                             World-Wide Quilt Day

    Sandy Senior Center hosted this event on the 18^th of March.  Quilters from all over the county showed up with sewing machines and projects to work on.  Representatives from many organizations that make quilts as gifts to kids and adults attended.  They shared their ideas, their dreams, and their works of art.  And, of course, enjoyed a fun lunch together. 

 

     I had a moment at the mike to mention PL and give people brochures in case they wanted to donate quilts to our cause.  There were representatives from “Sweet Charity Sisters”, “Quilts for Kids”, “Square Corner Quilters”, “Quilts of Valor”, and other charitable organizations that support women, kids, and those in need.  It was inspiring to participate.  Here is a Valor Quilt- I thought you would enjoy seeing,  

 

Happy (Snowy) Spring,

Millie and Karen

P. L. February Newsletter

 Newsletter February 2023 

Hi Blanketeers,

              Wow!  What a busy month January was!  There are lots of things we want to share with you.  First let me say that if you ever have a question and cannot reach me - Millie - you can contact Karen Heaton, official assistant, in our chapter at 801-573-5271.   

                           

                                   Make a Blanket Day

     February 18^th has been declared “National Make a Blanket Day”.  In response to this call two of our active quilt-makers have decided to invite you all to come on over and quilt with them on that day.

     Jackie Cohen and Chris Nash have invited us all to this event.  They are planning a fun social and work-day. You are invited to bring your sewing machine (she has lots of room) if you would like. And if not just come and help.  They are planning to cut, sew, iron, and produce quilts!   And, of course enjoy a pot-luck lunch.  Call Chris for address 801-550-9916.

 

                              Thanks to the Natter Family  

     Kim Natter, family and friends, have joined our efforts to provide security blankets to kids in need.  They are coming regularly to the Riverton Blanket Making group, organized by Jackie Cohen.  They meet at Mtn Vista Methodist Church on the third Wednesday of every month.  This picture of Kim is shown with the quilt she made. 

             

                        Chapter Blanket Days

    In case you are not sure of the meeting days, check this blog for the December message – the planned monthly dates are listed for the entire year.  If something needs to be changed on a designated date– we will put out a message on this blog.

     

                     Smiths Inspiring Donations

Smiths will apply .5%of all your purchases to our chapter of Project Linus.  You just have to choose us and it costs nothing.  Just attach your rewards card number tor alternate ID to Project Linus Salt Lake County.

    Here is how you do it:

Go to SmithsFoodandDrug.com/inspire

Sign in or click “Create an Account”.  Fill in the info

         Link your Rewards Card to us by entering Project Linus number – VJ225

 

                         Fund Raising 

     Raising funds to cover our expenses is difficult.  We use a lot of fabric, yarn, supplies and most of it is donated by the participants.  It is also important that we help raise enough money for National Project Linus to operate.  

     We have been very fortunate to receive two donations this past month – one from Thrivent Insurance Company of $403.00 and another from Bonneville Asphalt Company of $500.00.  Thanks to all of you who make this possible. 

 

                           Long Arm Quilting

    This is a wonderful way to finish quilts but requires a lot of thread as well as a long arm quilting machine which is extremely expensive.  As a chapter we wanted to thank Cherilyn Bramall for her donated time and work.  She has been putting designs on quilts that our chapter has made – using her long arm machine.   Here she is with some of these

quilts.

                   Quilt Making Kits

         Jackie and Chris have been putting together quilt top kits.  So, if you want to have one (or some) just let them know.  They are cut, matched, quilt strips and squares that you can just sew together and create a quilt top.   

          The Sweet Charity Sisters quilters have put several of these together and returned them to be finished into quilts.  This group of chartable workers also submits a large number of quilts to our chapter for distribution to kids. 

 

                  Drop off Spots for Blanket Donations

     Last week we had a special invitation from the District Manager of JoAnn Fabrics to set them up (at the 33^rd South and 2300 East location) as a drop off site.  We are pleased to work with JoAnn Fabrics at two locations. 

 

     Thanks for your participation and devotion to our Chapter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                           

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Project Linus Newsletter

  

December 15,2022

Hello and Merry Christmas Blanketeers, 

 

                          Year End Report

    Today- closing off the business of 2022 and getting ready to start the new year of 2023.  The total blankets delivered to children in 2022 was 2696! Our chapter has delivered a grand total (since its inception under our founder Kathy Marrow) of 33,696 blankets.  

    We have developed new delivery sites and lost some of the older ones.  Change is the only constant it seems.

     We also have welcomed our new partner to our chapter this year - our new official assistant:  Karen Heaton.  Happy to have a partner.  

                           Christmas Fun

    This month at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church we enjoyed a blanket making day complete with Christmas lunch as a thank you to our volunteers.  Yesterday, the Riverton group of blanket makers also had a lovely day with the quilters at Mountain Vista Methodist Church – a brunch and blanket making.  

     Here is the planned schedule for blanket days next year.  Of course, it always depends on weather, holidays, and other unexpected events.  But this is the plan.

OSLC 10:00 to 1:00                      MVMC  1:00 to 3:00

January 9^th                                   January 18^th

February 6^th                                 February 15^th

March 5^th                                     March 15^th

April 3^rd                                       April 19^th

May1^st                                          May 17^th

June 5^th                                        June 21^st

July 10^th                                       July 19^th

August 7^th                                    August 16^th

September 11^th                             September 20^th

October 2^nd                                 October 18^th

November 6^th                              November 15^th

December 4^th                              December 20^th

                          

                           Shop with a Cop

     This year the officers did not contact me about delivery. I tried to reach them I found that my contact officer was no longer in charge of the Pay it Forward program.  The new one had no clue that we have always donated and been a part of that special day.

      Detective Hadlock is now in charge of outreach programs and was sorry to miss us.  But, now we have a new idea!  She wants to pick a school where there are low-income families and homeless children.  She will give blankets to a couple of kindergarten classes before Christmas break. I agree that it is a good thing for Children to see police officers in a positive role.  She also wants to have Linus blankets in the patrol cars so they can give comfort to kids on the scene of an encounter.  

 

                           Hospitals  

      Recently hospitals have been so overwhelmed with junky blankets - fleece tied in knots or cut every which way- that several hospitals have refused to take any blankets at all.  

     The LDS Hospital is scheduled to close soon and scheduled to be rebuilt further south in the city.   The new-born unit in Salt Lake Regional downtown has no need for the gifts at this time.  

     However, Riverton Hospital, under the direction of their Children’s Program coordinator Kristine Hatton is flourishing.  She has organized deliveries to every part of the hospital from newborn to out-patient etc.  She needs anywhere from 60 to 80 blankets a month – all fleece and no quilts. 

     Alta View Hospital gives our blankets from the gift shop to moms who check out with their new babies.

       The key to being successful in getting the blankets to the needy ones in the hospitals - is to have one person on site who directs the program.  Otherwise, they get lost in the maze of care giving. 

             Social Services

 

     We also deliver many quilts and blankets to social services in the County.  

      Children’s Justice Center in Riverton has been very happy to have our blankets – 60 last month.  But again, fleece only, and only large size. They are a comfort for a child who has just endured a forensic exam.  

      Guardian ad Litem program has been distributing our blankets for at least the 10 years that I know of.  They go to children who have been assigned an attorney to represent them.  They are distributed at the rate of about 40 to 60 a month and are very comforting to a child in that stressful situation.  

     Family Road Home is a gracious recipient of quilts.  They never put them with the stacks of general donations – but put them inside in a special space. 

     Refugee Services is always in need of quilts – larger ones.  Hearts Knit Together is happy to have small quilts.  

    So, there is a place for every blanket made with love and care.  With your help we plan to keep them coming. 

 

See you all Next Year,

Millie      

      

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 November 2022 Newsletter

Hi Blanketeers,

                              Good News for our Chapter.  

     We now have an Assistant Coordinator to help us in our quest to supply children with security blankets.  Karen Heaton has volunteered for the position; and has been approved by the National office.  Many of you know her already, but here is a bit of background about her that you might enjoy reading. 

     Karen is from Maryland, and relocated to Sandy, Utah in 1996.  She has two daughters, and her husband JD has 5.  They have 10 grandchildren.  She loves to sew, crochet, make fringe blankets and quilts.  She has an interesting and varied career working in human services.  She retired from the State of Utah, in May of 2021, after holding various positions In The Department of Resource Management.

         We welcome her participation, her hand-work skills. AND - her computer skills are a great help.  WELCOME Karen!    

 

                 

               Blanket Making Days

 

Next meeting at OSLC November 7^th 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

 

Next meeting at MVMC November 16^th - 1:00 pm  to 3:00 pm

                         

 

                  Mtn Vista Church Fall Boutique 

    The quilters of this church donate scores of handmade quilts to our PL chapter every month.  They also invite you all to visit their annual fund raiser event.  They will have handmade items,  art, Christmas gifts, clothing, music, a variety of vendors, and there is the wonderful food.  It will be great fun.  Saturday, November 5^th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  

 

                             Holiday Season 

    The holidays will arrive starting in November and we must be prepared in advance to distribute to many locations.  This is a busy time for all of us, but we want to be ready, in advance, with blankets for kids.  

     The shopping event where kids shop with officers of Unified Police Force is one event in which we participate annually.  We wouldn’t want any child in any crisis situation to be without a PL security blanket during the holidays.                       

 

                         P L Blanketeers              

Many thanks for all that you volunteers do.  It may be making blankets, labeling, packaging, delivering, purchasing and donating supplies, fund raising, preparing fabric, recruiting workers, and, of course, enjoying blanket making days.  I wish you all a happy  

Thanksgiving.

 Blessings, Millie

 

         

 September 5, 2022

Hello Blanketeers,

 

If you want to attend a fun social with other women – come to blanket making days.  You don’t have to bring any fabric or equipment.  

 

Looking forward to blanket making days in September.  We are scheduled to meet together at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on Monday September 12^th from 10:00 to 1:00 pm.   

 

Also, Jackie Cohen has scheduled her Riverton Group to meet at Mtn Vista Methodist Church on September 21^st from 1:00 to 3:00.  Everyone is invited.  

 

There are lots of ways to become involved in our non-profit to provide security blankets for children in crisis.  If you prefer not to make blankets but want to help – consider:

          Labeling on your sewing machine

         Assisting with packaging

         Cutting fabric to prepare for blanket makers

         Punching holes around fleece fabric for crochet work

         Delivering to some sites

         Hemstitching flannel for crochet

         Long arm quilting services

         Donating child-friendly fabric – fleece, flannel, cotton 

Fund raising – is always welcome.  

 

                  Quilting – then and now

 

    Modern day hand-made quilt design has become an art form in the era of reliance on technology.  Yes, you can buy a quilt from Walmart – but you won’t have the hands of your grandmother or mother or aunt putting love and art into your quilt- designed specifically for you. 

 

     In the days of settlement of the Western U S, quilts were made from anything women could get their hands on. Potato sacks, flower sacks, worn out clothing, old curtains, -you name it.  

   Of course, those quilts were used to keep warm, but they also served as room dividers, window covers, wagon cushions, and doors.  Quilts were done in groups – quilting bees, or alone, like this one. 

     This is a picture of a quilt made in 1913 by Mollie Hale of Sumpter Valley Oregon.  The machine she sewed with was a modern piece of equipment in those days.  

  

     We give our thanks to the several quilters and quilting groups who deliver beautiful quilts to our chapter of PL every month.  (Mount Vista Church Quilters, Square Corner Quilters, and Sweet Charity Sisters) We also want to thank all  the individual people every month who donate their hand-made quilts to PL for us to give to children.

 

Blessings,  Millie