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Project Linus

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Written by Mark Collins Friday, 07 December 2007

Project Linus gives children security in blankets

Even though Linus spent most of his time with Charlie Brown and Lucy, his best friend was definitely his blanket. The blanketeers of Project Linus sew, knit and crochet blankets for children newborn through 18 years old from all over Williamson and Travis Counties.

“We believe that the person making this blanket is somehow putting their love into the blanket, so when the child wraps themselves up or hugs the blanket, they feel the love put into it,” said local charter coordinator Diane Whitehouse.

Project Linus, a national organization, began in 1995 when a Colorado woman read an article about the comforts a little girl felt from her blanket while going through intense chemotherapy. Touched by the story, the woman donated blankets to the Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.

Now the organization has grown to include about 400 chapters across the United States, and has donated more than 2.2 million blankets to children in need.

Whitehouse began the local chapter in 2003 when she went to Austin Sewing for thread and saw information about Project Linus.

“I couldn’t believe there wasn’t a chapter in Austin, so I started with phone calls and getting some friends together who liked to do crafts,” Whitehouse said.

Four years later, the Austin chapter of Project Linus has donated 2,800 blankets to local organizations serving children, including those who have lost a parent or whose parents are going through a divorce.

The only problem with helping so many children, Whitehouse said, is now the demand for blankets is higher than ever.

“I only need someone who is willing, has a big heart and loves children,” she said. “Project Linus is open to everyone. We have grandmothers, we have mothers and we have kids all working toward the same goal. Even if you can’t sew, you can do the packaging or the labeling.”

Many people have contributed to Project Linus, including Girl Scout troops and senior citizens. Whitestone also accepts monetary donations and uses the funds to purchase supplies and materials to create more blankets.

“Some people can give 20 blankets, and some give one, and that’s fine,” she said. “That single blanket is one more child that we can touch.”