March Newsletter 2024

Happy (almost) spring!

With the arrival of March comes the familiar ritual of turning our clocks forward, signaling the promise of longer days and warmer weather ahead.

Reflecting on February, we are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our blanketeers and the local community.  Thanks to their efforts, over 200 blankets were either donated or lovingly crafted by our dedicated blanketeers.  These blankets have brought warmth and comfort to over 180 children across various organizations within our community.  In the upcoming months we will be spotlighting some of the organizations to which we donate.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce our participation in the upcoming "Pay It Forward" event this fall where local law enforcement and staff host children from the Salt Lake City School District.  They anticipate approximately 80 children participating in two events scheduled for August and December.  We are committed to providing each child with a blanket of their own.  This initiative not only exemplifies our mission to serve our community but also underscores the importance of spreading kindness and support to those who need it most.

Our blog will be undergoing some exciting updates and getting a fresh new look in the coming months.  While we work behind the scenes to enhance our site, please note that our blog may be temporarily "under construction".  If you have any ideas or suggestions for content you would like to see on our refreshed site, we'd love to hear from you!  Please send your ideas and feedback to our email address at slcprojectlinus@gmail.com.

Lastly, all are welcome to join us at our upcoming "blanket making days":

Thursday, March 21st, 1:00-3:00, Mountain Vista Methodist Church, 8931 S 3200 W, West Jordan

Monday, April 8th, 10:00-1:00, Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 2500 E 3900 S, Salt Lake City

Enjoy the wonders of spring!

Karen & Millie

In Memoriam

 In Memory of Shirley Geary

June 25, 1936 - February 21, 2024

Last week we said goodbye to our dear friend, Shirley Geary.  She was a talented and productive member of our Salt Lake County Chapter of Project Linus.  She joined our chapter when it was opened in 2008.  She created beautiful crochet and fleece blankets continuously to the last week of her life.  She has given comfort to countless little children.  How fortunate we have been to have enjoyed these years with her.  We will miss her every day.

February Newsletter 2024

Greetings Blanketeers!

Happy February! With Punxsutawney Phil not seeing his shadow, it looks like spring might be just around the corner! As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of warmer days and blooming flowers, we're also undergoing some exciting transitions within our chapter.

It's with nervous excitement, I announce that I, Karen Heaton, will be transitioning into the role of Project Coordinator for our chapter. I'm excited about this opportunity to further serve our community.

However, I wouldn't be able to embark on this journey without the support and guidance of an exceptional mentor. That's why I'm grateful to announce that Millie Martensen will remain an active and vital part of our chapter as the assistant. Millie has been an invaluable source of knowledge and inspiration, and I'll be relying heavily on her expertise to maintain the high level of service to our community that she has consistently achieved.

As we transition roles and gear up for the upcoming spring season, I encourage each of you to bring forth your ideas, enthusiasm, and dedication. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community and continue to uphold the values of our chapter.

Thank you all for your ongoing support and commitment. Here's to an exciting journey ahead as we embrace the changes and hopefully welcome spring soon!

Please feel free to call, text or email me if you have any questions, concerns, ideas, etc., at 801.573.5271 or slcprojectlinus@gmail.com

Regards,

Karen & Millie

January Project Linus Newsletter 2024

Dear Blanketeers,

      Well, here we go again!  Are you ready to jump into 2024?  Before we start, we want to congratulate all of you for your amazing work during 2023.  Here is a summary of what your cooperative work accomplished in blanket deliveries to kids in need.

 Dontions to:

    Health and Hospitals            828

    Social Services                    1511

     Military Families                189

     Emergencies                        17

Total Donations in 2023        2545

Total since opening chapter    36,249

    Pretty amazing ins't it?  This is what you have created out of compassion for those little ones who need the security of a blanket hug.  Congratulations and thank you to all of you.  You Know Who You Are.  We hope you can feel the love.

                            Blanket Making Days 2024

     We will be maintaining our usual meeting days to work on blankets.  North Valley volunteers meet the first Monday of every  month at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.  South Valley volunteers meet the third Thursday of every month at Mount Vista Methodist Church.  Anyone interested is certainly invited to either or both.  Thanks goes out to Jackie Cohen for her leadership of this productive Riverton  arm of our county chapter.  

  North Valley  OSLC 10:00 - 1:00            South Valley MVMC  1:00 - 3:00

January 8                                                     January 17

February 5                                                   February 15

March 4                                                       March 21

April 1                                                        April 18

May 6                                                          May 16

June  3                                                         June 20

July 1                                                          July 18

August 5                                                    August 15

September 9                                              September 19

October 7                                                  October 17

November 4                                              November 21

December 2                                              December 19  

     We Celebrate Your Participation and Generosity.  

Best wishes for 2024

Millie and Karen  

                    

Nov/Dec Newsletter

  November 25, 2023      

Hello Blanketeers 

                    Where We Are and What’s Next       

     Wow! Year 2023 is flying by!  Already we are planning our   Christmas deliveries to kids - starting right after our December 4^th Blanket Making Day.  

     Put it on your calendar and please plan to come see everyone on blanket making day – the first Monday in December – that’s the 4^th. We will work on blankets from 10:00 to 12:00 and then pause for our annual sharing of a Christmas lunch.  

     Since we will be planning for food - it would be great to know if you are planning to attend.  Thanks for a heads up. 

 

                  Blanket Making Days for 2024

     

     Karen Heaton and I sponsor the Millcreek one at OSLC, and our meeting days are listed here:  

January 8, February 5, March 4, April 8, May 6, June 3, July 8, August 5, September 9, October 7, November 4, December 2. 

      

     Jackie Cohen and Chris Nash sponsor the Riverton blanket making day.  Their meeting days have been the third Wednesday.  This year they may have a change of date – to be announced.  

     You are welcome at either or both days. Sometimes these dates are flexible depending on other events or holidays. 

 

                      Quilts Donated by “Megs & Me”

     Meagan Taylor and her mom Kristi Castagno started in 2010 designing quilt patterns.  They say that making designer quilts, “mostly was an excuse to spend more time together.”  They love applique and embroidery quilts.  They found Project Linus and were happy to support our great cause.  They donated 33 beautifully done baby and small quilts for us to give to babies. We are so happy to be able to give these beautifully made quilts to kids.  Thanks Megs and Mom.

 

         Stretching to Reach the Many Needy Children   

     Thanks for your diligent devotion to kids who need a blanket hug. We project that when we finish delivering in December, we will be over 2500 blankets out to kids.  This only happens because of your work and contributions.  You are all to be congratulated.  

                           Where Do Our Blankets Go?

     They are delivered anywhere a child is in crisis or in need.  Here are some of the places we regularly deliver for these children. 

                  St Marks NICU

                  Alta View New Borne

                  Riverton Hospital 

                  Guardian ad Litem

                  Children’s Justice Center

                  Family Road Home

                  Refugee Services   

                  Hearts Knit Together

                  DDI Vantage Program

                  Joyful Welcome

                  Military Families

                  Disaster Relief

                  Royal Family Kids

                  Individual Kids in Crisis

                  Disaster victims 

                  Emergency and Police

                  And maybe others when a need arises.   

Your giving, and your work for these kids is important, appreciated and needed.  

 

         Sending you all wishes for a wonderful December. Happy Christmas,

Millie and Karen

 n         

 

October Newsletter 2023

 Hello Blanketeers,

                ANSWERING THE CALL

      Our thanks and appreciation to all of you for your excellent response to our need for more blankets last month. We are trying to add more to our distribution – to include Riverton Hospital as well as Children’s Justice Center in Riverton.  

     Our Riverton group, under Jackie Cohen’s direction, organized an additional blanket making day at Mountain Vista Church.  The plan was to create as many fringe fleece blankets as possible to make in one afternoon.  They were assisted by the quilters of MVMC and together gave our project a huge boost.  

      In addition to the fringed fleece created, the MVMC quilters donated a large number of quilts.  All of this made it a successful month.        

See you at the MVMC Boutique:

                   Blanket Days      

 Our next blanket day at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church – November 6^th, 2500 East 3900 South 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Fabric will be provided for you to work on, thanks to Walmart Stores for their grant to our chapter.  

            Christmas is Coming 

Mark your calendars for our annual Christmas luncheon on our blanket making day December 4^th.  We will have food and fun planned.  

        Smith’s Inspiring Donations. 

     At this time we have only five families who have attached their rewards card numbers to benefit Project Linus.  If you are not attached to another charity – lets sign you up.  It costs you nothing and will benefit our chapter.  We can show you how to attach when we meet on the 6^th.  

      You are an important part of our Project Linus Chapter as we work hard to provide security blanket hugs to kids in need.

     Thanks, Millie and Karen

      

September Newsletter 2023

 Hello Blanketeers,

     Another Autumn season is upon us.  Soon the leaves will be turning beautiful colors, we will need to wear a sweater, and some kids will need a warm security blanket!

 

     Many of our blanket makers were on vacations during July and August – and the number of hand-made blankets declined.  We are low on inventory and anticipating your contributions this month.  Looking forward to your participation.

 

     Next blanket making day is scheduled for Monday the 11^th - at 10:00 am - at OSLC – 25th East 39th South in Millcreek.  We have fleece for you to work on.  

     Remember the next blanket day for our Riverton Group will be September 20^th at 1:00 pm – at MVMC – 30^th West 90^th So.

Will have fleece there also for you to work on.  

                                 

                           Summer Camps

     Kids Camps are all over for the summer.  We are so happy that we have been able to gift the children at camps with quilts and fleece blankets.  You made them all by hand.  This is the first summer that we have added a new summer camp for the children of deployed soldiers. 

     These kids had a great time.  We have blurred the faces to offer privacy – but – trust me - those faces were all smiling.  

Let's Keep Our Chapter Active.  GIVING TO KIDS IN NEED IS OUR GOAL!

 

Millie and Karen