Photography courtesy of Project Linus

Linus Van Pelt, the resident philosopher of the Peanuts gang, is known not only for his holiday speeches and Great Pumpkin optimism but also for his constant sidekick—his trusty blue blanket.

An eternal source of comfort, it even became the focus of a 2011 book, Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown. We’re all like Linus to a certain extent: Who doesn’t love snuggling under a toasty covering, especially when it’s cold outside? But blankets can also improve our mental well-being; according to Psychology Today, such objects “bring psychological strength and assistance” to their users. That’s the exact impetus behind Project Linus, an organization that collects and distributes security blankets to children across the country going through challenging times.

The start of a meaningful mission

It all began in 1995, when Project Linus founder Karen Loucks read a Christmas Eve article about an inspirational three-year-old girl named Laura, who was fighting cancer and had endured chemotherapy treatments for two years thanks in large part to her security blanket. Touched by the story, Loucks began quilting blankets and donating them to kids at a local children’s cancer center. Almost thirty years later, Project Linus has provided over ten million blankets and afghans—each one handmade by volunteers—to kids up to age eighteen facing illness, trauma, or other struggles.

As you can imagine, it takes a village to make such a difference. Project Linus has over 300 chapter coordinators across the country who make sure that the items crafted by its 80,000 volunteers (lovingly dubbed “blanketeers”) reach their destinations. “A blanket can be left at drop-off points set up by the local chapter or given directly to a chapter coordinator,” explains Patty Gregory, Project Linus’s national president and CEO. “The coordinator collects, labels, and bags all blankets and then takes them to local facilities such as hospitals and shelters, which are ready to distribute them to kids.” Also helping the effort: over a dozen other businesses that are friends to the Project Linus cause, including fellow Missouri-based companies and national brands like Joann.

Putting the fun in fundraising

Project Linus feeds the creative needs of its crafters by providing classes and holding special events that not only raise money and awareness but also encourage community.

• Gregory, an avid quilter herself, hosts monthly Scrappy Sewing with Patty sessions over Zoom, during which participants work on new projects and get insights.
• Knit and Crochet Along is an annual affair in which people register to download a special pattern, which they’ll use to make a blanket. Each person works at their own pace while sharing their progress with fellow Project Linus crafters on Facebook.
• Its biggest event is National Make a Blanket Day. Held on the third Saturday in February since 1999, it’s a day dedicated to both promoting the work of Project Linus and crafting blankets at local chapters.
• The organization makes the holidays brighter every December with its Season of Giving fete, an annual push to gather blankets and raise much-needed funds.
• Every other year, Project Linus holds a retreat for its coordinators and volunteers so they can come together to bond, share ideas, and learn more about the organization.

A never-ending need

Having been with the organization for almost twenty-five years, Gregory can confirm that the demand for security blankets is, unfortunately, far from waning. “More children are born each year, many of whom will need us throughout their childhood,” she says. “Without those who support our mission—both corporate and individual—and our tens of thousands of volunteers, we could not do what we do.” As far as the impact of her organization, Gregory gets reflective. “Honestly, I can’t even put a face on the impact Project Linus has made,” she shares. “We actually don’t know who specifically ends up getting our blankets most of the time, other than it’s children who are ill and/or traumatized. When we do hear stories and get thank-you notes, we are so grateful. It gives us the energy to continue our work, knowing that we’re making a difference to children by showing them that people care and there is goodness in this world.”

For more info, visit projectlinus.org