April newsletter

April 20, 2011

 Blankets delivered:     6964

 Dear Blanketeers,

Welcome to the new Blanketeers who have joined our chapter during the past month.  We have exciting news –

We’ve started a BLOG for our local chapter.   The address is 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.  Kristin Vance, our chapter assistant is the fabulous blanketeer, with loads of energy and enthusiasm who suggested we start this blog.  We’re learning about it as we go along and I encourage you visit the blog and add your input – what would you like to see there?

 “Make a Blanket Day” for the north VALLEY WILL be May 2nd ... 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 May 17th at the South Jordan Library from 10:15 – 2:00.  We’re building a nice size group, the ladies are very friendly and welcoming, AND I hope you’ll join us.

This past month we delivered blankets to; the Guardian ad Litem office downtown and West Jordan, the Neighborhood House, Primary Children’s (the NICU and PICU), Shriner’s Hospital, The Road Home, St. Mark’s NICU, and Lutheran Social Services.  Thank you so much for your continued support!!!!!!  

I’ve received some questions lately about our chapter finances. 
  We do not receive any funds from the National Project Linus headquarters, so we are always in need of cash donations and do look for outside sources of funding.  We have received several generous donations from individuals and corporations in the past.

  I looked into last year’s finances and we spent $90 for 90 brochures.  The brochures are very helpful to hand to people looking for some basic information about Project Linus.

  In 2010 we spent $100 to purchase 4000 blanket labels.  Project Linus blankets must have Project Linus label attached before it’s given to a child.

  Our donation of 135 TAPS blankets cost $217 in shipping.  We are looking into possible less expensive ways to send the TAPS blankets.

  I really dislike asking for money because you are all so generous already with the materials you buy to make the blankets.  We all love to make the blankets and give them to the children, but that is not possible without monetary gifts. Our funds are very low right now and any gift you feel you could share will be deeply appreciated.

TAPS BLANKETS need to be delivered to a drop-off location by May 6 to be included in this year’s shipment.  Thanks so much to all of you who have made the red, white and blue blankets – each one is so special.  Please know that they
will be so loved by the children!

 Four classes at Highland Park Elementary School colored pictures traced from coloring books with fabric markers on April 7th.  We will use the squares to make adorable blankets.  I hope to have pictures of those quilts as soon as they are done on the BLOG.   This is the 3^rd year we’ve worked together and the kids who color the squares have such a great time and learn that even at 9 & 10 years old, they can make a difference in another child’s life.

 On April 11^th, I presented Project Linus to the employees of American Express.  American Express was having a week of giving to our community. Heidi Falvo, using company funds, purchased enough fabric for 147 blankets.   It was a great opportunity to inform the participants of Project Linus and our mission.    Thank you very much American Express for your generous donation of time, talent and funds.

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

work days - South Valley

We had a great South Valley work day & accomplished tons!!  Thank you to all who were in attendance. I've updated the list of work days for May. South valley make note that in June our day had to move.  The library was booked on the 3rd Tuesday, so we will meet Wednesday June 22nd for our work day.

Also, keep in mind that any red, white & blue blankets for TAPS need to be to Kathy or Kristin by May 6th.  We will be shipping for the kids at Camp Good Grief.  For more information check out their website at www.taps.org.  This is the ONLY time our blankets leave Salt Lake County.  All the other wonderful blankets stay right here!  Have a great Easter weekend!!

work days - North Valley

We had a great North Valley work day!!!  Thank you to all who participated or stopped by to make a donation.  We have some amazing blanketeers!  This month we are focusing on collecting blankets for TAPS.  Our North Valley ladies have made a huge contribution of red, white & blue or military panels for this donation.  We think there are atleast 100 blankets made so far.   If you are thinking of making a blanket, we'd love any donation but still need more for TAPS.  Let's see how many we can collect to send off for the kids at Camp Good Grief in May!  We are also in need of donations to pay postage.  The TAPS blankets are the only ones we donate & ship outside of Salt Lake county.

Thanks for all you do!!  Hope to see many of you at South Valley work day April 19th!

March Newsletter

  March 23, 2011

Blankets delivered: 6661

Dear Blanketeers,

Welcome to the new Blanketeers who have joined our chapter during the past month. We have exciting news –

Kristin Vance has agreed to be the chapter assistant coordinator. We’ve grown so much in the past year and I’m thrilled to welcome Kristin and all her wonderful ideas to Project Linus. She been willing to take on everything I’ve asked. I hope you will all get the chance to meet her soon. Her contact information is: 801-386-5917 & email: kristinctmh@yahoo.com.

We’re starting a BLOG for our local chapter. The address is 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 don’t attend Make a Blanket Days and want to make fleece blankets), and do’s and don’ts. Kristin Vance is the fabulous blanketeer, with loads of energy and enthusiasm who suggested we start this blog. We’re learning about it as we go along and I encourage you visit the blog and add your input – what would you like to see there?

“Make a Blanket Day” for the north VALLEY WILL be April 4th ... come join us at Our Saviour’s Lutheran church 2500E 3900 S. From 10-2. Bring your lunch – we have a wonderful time!!

The next South Valley “Make a Blanket Day” will be April 19 at the South Jordan Library from 10:15 – 2:00. We’re building a nice size group, the ladies are very friendly and welcoming, AND I hope you’ll join us.

This past month we delivered blankets to; the Guardian ad Litem office downtown and West Jordan, the Neighborhood House, Primary Children’s (the NICU and PICU), Shriner’s Hospital, The Road Home, St. Mark’s NICU, and Lutheran Social Services. Thank you so much for your continued support!!!!!!

We also received over 80 blankets from the 3^rd graders at Channing Hall. The blankets are very colorful and well made. I met with these kids earlier and we talked about the mission of Project Linus and how they could help us give comfort and a little love to children.

Target Bank very generously donated our chapter $1500 to be used to purchase supplies to make blankets for children in low income families. Thank you very much!

I’ve received some questions lately about our chapter finances.

We do not receive any funds from the National Project Linus headquarters, so we are always in need of cash donations and do look for outside sources of funding. We have received several generous donations from individuals and corporations in the past.

I looked into last year’s finances and we spent $90 for 90 brochures. The brochures are very helpful to hand to people looking for some basic information about Project Linus.

In 2010 we spent $100 to purchase 4000 blanket labels. Project Linus blankets must have Project Linus label attached before it’s given to a child.

Our donation of 135 TAPS blankets cost $217 in shipping. We are looking into possible less expensive ways to send the TAPS blankets.

I really dislike asking for money because you are all so generous already with the materials you buy to make the blankets. We all love to make the blankets and give them to the children, But, that is not possible without monetary gifts. Our funds are very low right now and any gift you feel you could share will be deeply appreciated.

It’s time to start working on TAPS blankets. For those of you new to Project Linus, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) mission is to:

provide ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing to all who are grieving the death of a loved one in military service to America, regardless of relationship to the deceased, geography, or circumstance of the death. TAPS meets its mission by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources.

The blankets we send can be fleece or quilts of medium or large sizes. We usually send red/white/blue blankets. I found out last year that TAPS prefers no knitted/crocheted blankets because they are too bulky to travel with the children. Please deliver your blankets to the drop-off location you prefer by May 10^th. Last year we sent 135 blankets of the over 900 blankets needed. For more information about TAPS go to www.taps.org

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

Kathy

morrowchey@att.net

801-302-8096

Make a blanket days

Our chapter meets twice a month for make a blanket days. Stop by to see what's in progress, how to make a specific type of blanket and to see what our creative blanketeers have brought in for donations. You are welcome to join us for a minute or two or the entire time. Some blanketeers will just stop by & say hi and donate blankets that were completed at home, others will stay all 4 hours. No sewing experience is required, there are many steps to prepare the blankets for delivery. At a work day we fringe blankets, label blankets & package blankets. Knitters & crocheters bring works in progress and everyone shares ideas.

Our North Valley group meets at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church the first Monday of each month (only moved for holidays). They are located at 2500 E 3900 S, Holladay, UT from 10:00am to 2:00pm. You are welcome to bring your lunch, take a break & visit. Current dates scheduled are: April 4th, May 2nd, June 6th & July 11th.

Our South Valley group meets at the South Jordan Library the third Tuesday of each month (subject to availability). They are located at 10673 S Redwood Rd, South Jordan, UT (about 1700 West, next to the Pie Pizzaria)we meet from 10:15am to 2:00pm in the conference room, just in the entrance & to the left. Unfortunately, no food is allowed in the library. Current dates scheduled are: April 19th & May 17th

The creativity that flows at make a blanket days will inspire & encourage you to use your talents to make blankets for the children in crisis that our chapter donations support.

A loving work in progress

labeling & sorting

sewing labels

So, I'm still learning the ropes & recently have learned about labeling & packaging of blankets. I took a couple of pictures to show you what happens when you get more involved in a wonderful project - Linus blankets everywhere!! This is the space in my guestroom between the wall & bed, so if you are coming to visit...give me plenty of warning to clear things out! The bags are full of blankets that have been labeled or are ready to labeled. Isn't that exciting? I love seeing the bags of blankets just waiting to have the finishing touches added & then they are ready to be donated :)