 |
 |
 |
How to make a MONETARY DONATION?
What kind of blankets do you need?
What do you mean by “handmade,” and why?
What type of blankets does Project Linus NOT accept?
Where can I drop off my completed blanket(s)?
Do you get together and make blankets?
Do I need to finish my blanket at the blanket day or by a certain time?
Do I have to come to a blanket day or chapter meetings?
Are there special requirements for community service hour credits?
What if I am new or not very good at these crafts?
How do I join the Collin/Grayson/Rockwall County chapter?
I know of a child (newborn to 17 years of age) who needs a blanket, what can I do?
Should I wash my blanket before it is donated?
We are a National Non-Profit 100% Volunteer Organization that provides new, handmade, washable blankets to critically ill and/or traumatized children, newborn to 17 years of age.
If you can sew, quilt, knit, or crochet: you can make a blanket 36″x36″ up to lap or twin size. Your blanket can be any pattern, any kid-friendly color(s), using 100% cotton fabric, if sewing, or acrylic yarn (no wool) if knitting or crocheting. Completed blankets may be dropped off at any of our drop-off locations or at an event near you.
Our work requires large amounts of new (not recycled) blanket making materials such as:
100% cotton fabric in kid friendly designs and colors
Quilt batting (cotton preferred)
Sewing thread
Fleece fabric (1 ¼ yard or larger)
Acrylic yarn
Ziploc brand XXL blue bags
Clear or transparent color 30 gallon recycling bags (unscented)
2 1/2 gallon plastic bags (zipper closure preferred)
Quart size plastic bags
Sandwich size plastic bags
Labels (size 1/2″ x 1-3/4″– i.e. Avery 5167)
Blue painters tape
If you would like to donate any of the above, you may drop them off at any of our drop-off locations or use the “contact us” page to let us know you have a large amount that we need to pick up!
For convenience, we do have a Wish List on Amazon, please use this link to easily view the items:
PLCollin Amazon Wish List
Thanks for remembering Project Linus!!
How to make a MONETARY DONATION?
MONETARY DONATIONS may be made on the National Project Linus website. Here is the information needed to direct the donation to this chapter:
There is a section on the online form (linked below) titled “Donation to a Specific Chapter (OPTIONAL):” where you will need to fill in:
Chapter Coordinator: Regina Forthman
Chapter Name: Project Linus Collin/Grayson/Rockwall Counties Texas
Please use this link to make a secure monetary donation thru our National Project Linus website:
Monetary Donation
Thanks for remembering Project Linus!!
What kind of blankets do you need?
The only requirements we have are that each Project Linus blanket be new, and handmade and they are smoke-free, with no pet hair and dander. The blanket can be crocheted, knitted, quilted or sewn. No-sew tied fleece blankets are an easy alternative for people who don’t know how to crochet or sew. If you choose to make this type of blanket, please cut off the selvages, and make sure you cut a 5″ square out of each of the corners of the fleece so that the blankets will lay flat. We will gladly email you instructions for making these blankets. We prefer blankets that are a finished size of 45 by 60 inches and no larger than what you would use on a twin size bed. Please be mindful of the fabric print when choosing your size. For example, you wouldn’t want to make a large blanket out of fabric suitable for an infant, or a crib size blanket from fabric that is more teenagers oriented. Since our blankets are given to children of all ages, we usually have a need for the teenage sized blankets or quilts for both boys and girls.
What do you mean by “handmade,” and why?
When we say “handmade” or “homemade” we mean something that is not commercially manufactured or purchased. Of course, home sewing machines, knitting machines, etc. are fine. It has always been the mission of Project Linus to donate only handmade blankets. We receive thousands of letters and thank you notes every year from children. They repeatedly express how touched they are that a stranger would take the time to make something for them. They really know the difference. Purchased blankets are nice, but handmade blankets are from the heart.
What type of blankets does Project Linus NOT accept?
Project Linus chapter coordinators are instructed NOT to accept blankets that are not of excellent quality. In addition they must be free from contaminants. Because some of these blankets go to critically ill children, all blankets must be smoke-free, with no pet hair and dander. If unusually strong smells due to chemicals used in detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets, mold and mildew or smoking products are apparent, most hospitals will discard the blanket rather than jeopardize the health of a patient. Always check blankets carefully for pins, and remove any embellishments, such as buttons, that could be swallowed. Thank you for helping to make sure that Project Linus blankets are safe and healthy, and will bring only comfort and security to a child in need.
Where can I drop off my completed blanket(s)?
You may leave your blankets at any of our chapter’s meeting sites or at any of the locations listed below. Please remember to place your blankets in a bag (grocery bag, shopping bag, unused trash bag, etc) or in a small box with a note to let us know who you are.
|
Blue Ribbon Quilt Shoppe |
Home a la mode |
|
Joann Stores (Frisco) |
Joann Stores (Plano) |
|
Joann Stores (Rockwall) |
Joann Stores (Sherman) |
|
Kaleidoscope Quilt Shop |
Plano Sewing Center |
|
Stitched With Love |
Texas Quiltworks |
A complete listing of the locations along with store hours is also available here.
Do you get together and make blankets?
Yes, please check our calendar page for a complete list of dates and locations for this year’s Blanket Days. We meet and have a wonderful time while working on blankets for Project Linus. Each person brings their own supplies and any equipment needed for their project.
Do I need to finish my blanket at the blanket day or by a certain time?
No, most blankets cannot be finished in one day. There are NO deadlines. This is an ongoing, loving effort. Take as much time as you need and enjoy what you are creating!
Do I have to come to a blanket day or chapter meetings?
No, meetings are fun but many blanketeers prefer to work at home or while on break at their place of employment and drop them off at our chapter’s drop off locations for donation. When the blankets are finished the blanketeers will leave them at one of our meeting sites.
Are there special requirements for community service hour credits?
We are pleased to hear that you (or your child) want to perform community service with Project Linus. Effective immediately the volunteer will need to attend one of our meetings to receive a sign off of these hours. In the past we have allowed individuals to make blankets and donate them via a drop off location but this has resulted in many sub-standard blankets which require a substantial amount of time to correct and some have been completely unusable. The volunteer is welcome to bring supplies and make blankets with our supervision or can attend the meeting and help out with many tasks that we need to have done.
Our chapter website (www.PLCollin.org) has a calendar which shows meeting locations, dates and times. Please let us know when the volunteer is planning to attend so we can be sure to have appropriate things for them to help with and/or someone to work with them on their materials. For each tied fleece blanket the volunteer will need 1.5 yards each of 2 pieces of quality fleece fabrics. Please do not purchase the really soft ultra cuddle fabrics as the nap creates problems when it is cut. Likewise do not purchase commercially finished inexpensive fleece blankets as they are too thin and don’t create a quality blanket.
Thanks so much for your interest in supporting our Project Linus chapter!
What if I am new or not very good at these crafts?
We can help you perfect your skills! Join us and discover your hidden talents. Even if sewing isn’t your thing we have lots of other volunteer opportunities in which you can participate.
First, they make a short stop with one of the volunteers where they are inspected for loose pins and stray threads. Then a Project Linus label is sewn on and the poem that appears on our Home page is attached. Next, the blankets are sorted by size and stored until needed.
How do I join the Collin/Grayson/Rockwall County chapter?
You may join us at any of our events. Simply check out our calendar and select an event that is most convenient to you. In addition, we have a Yahoo Group for communication purposes. To join the Yahoo Group, simply visit our contact page and select “Yahoo Group Sign Up” for the contact reason.
I know of a child (newborn to 17 years of age) who needs a blanket, what can I do?
Please visit our contact page or contact our chapter coordinator, Regina, at (972) 998-3378 or forthmar@msn.com
We need their name, age, reason for need, delivery address, and telephone number. Occasionally, depending on the time restraints, we can fulfill special requests for a theme blanket. For example, if the child loves animals, dance, sports, music or has a favorite color.
Should I wash my blanket before it is donated?
If you have pets or if you smoke, it is advisable for you to wash your blanket prior to donation and place it in a sealed bag upon removing it from the dryer. Keep in mind, most of our blankets go to very sick children and washing them doesn’t insure that they will be appropriate for use so it is best that you not smoke while working on these blankets. Also, please do not use scented laundry products (including dryer sheets) as these can be a problem for the children as well.
Our brochure can be downloaded from here.