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Reminder Assistant Editor WILBRAHAM Sue Kent, director of the Wilbraham Public Library's teen group, recently found what she described as a "great idea for a service project" for her group -- making projects for Project Linus. Named for the "Peanuts" comic strip character famous for toting around his security blanket, Project Linus has a mission of providing love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans created by volunteers known as "blanketeers," according to the project's Web site. Project Linus has a second goal as well -- providing a rewarding and fun service opportunity for individuals and groups in local communities for the benefit of children. Kent saw this opportunity and leapt on it. "This is the first year my group has done this project," she told Reminder Publications. "I got the idea from my mother-in-law, who is a member of a quilter's group. They make handmade quilts for the kids." While looking for something simple and fun for the teens to do, Kent found a no-sew fleece blanket pattern on the Project Linus Web site. Once made, the blankets are delivered to local hospitals through Project Linus' Springfield chapter. The teen group worked from 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 21 with a goal of making 20 blankets for the project. The Minnechaug Regional High School National Honor Society has made blankets for the project as well, and both groups will have their cozy creations distributed to area hospitals soon. "It's such a great thing for kids to do," Kent said. "It's easy and they can still socialize while doing it." She added that the project also focuses on patience and teamwork. "They're doing something for their community," Kent stated. "They're hoping the blankets go to kids their own age." Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts provided the fleece for the project at a discount and Kent chose the variety of patterns herself. Blankets had everything from dolphins and the alphabet to hearts and flowers on them. Wilbraham Middle School students Corinne Murphy, Paige Elliott, Alison Smith, Erika Sawicki and Minnechaug student Nicole Greene said they thought the project was a good idea as they worked on a blanket Wednesday afternoon. Neliana and Maricel Ferraro worked on their blanket together. "I think they're cool and we don't even have to sew them," Neliana said. "I think doing this makes kids in the hospital feel more at home," Maricel added. "Going to the hospital can be very impersonal." Neliana agreed. "Hospitals don't have the most welcoming blankets," she said. Donna Berrouard, family and consumer science teacher at Wilbraham Middle School, assisted with the project as well. "This project is so cool," she said. "These kids took the time from their school vacation to volunteer, so I did too. It's fun to get out and help when I can." Project Linus began in 1995, with founder Karen Loucks providing security blankets to Denver's Rocky Mountain Children's Cancer Center. There are now chapters of Project Linus in all 50 states. To learn more, visit www.projectlinus.org. | ||||||
