Project Linus is a non-profit organization, dedicated to "Providing Security Through Blankets," for ill or traumatized children and teens. Inspired by a picture of a three-year-old cancer patient holding her security blanket, Project Linus was begun in 1995 by Karen Loucks. Nationally, Project Linus has donated more than 2,000,000 handmade blankets to help comfort children in need in hospitals, shelters, and hospices. Project Linus has over 400 chapters in the United States. Project Linus was named after the adorable security blanket toting character from the Peanuts comic strip.
The Project Linus national website has a great listing of patterns for you to use.
Christine Popenhagen coordinates the Madison Area Chapter. Over 23,000 blankets have been donated through the Madison Area Chapter to children in Wisconsin.An article appeared in the November 13, 1998 edition of The Capital Times about Project Linus. To quote Mary Kaminski, child life director at American Family Children's Hospital,
It's great to see the kids' faces when they pick out a blanket. These blankets give them comfort, a sense of worth, both physically and emotionally. Having them made by someone is a big factor. They realize the time it took. It's kind of like bringing someone who is ill homemade chicken soup instead of buying a can. It makes the parents feel that the kids are being cared for.
Blankets should be homemade of all-new washable materials (Do not use any recycled materials or wool.) in child or teen-friendly colors or prints. About 45” by 60” is our most needed blanket size, but blankets of many sizes are useful. Blankets should be at least 36" by 36" for infants, 45" by 45" and 45" by 60" for older kids, up to a maximum of about 54" by 72". Blankets may be knitted, crocheted, fleece or quilted. For fringed fleece blankets, it is best to start with a one and one-half yard length of 60-inch wide fleece.
If you would like to make blankets for Madison's Neonatal Intensive Care Units, please contact Christine by phone or email (see Contact Us section below) for instructions or click here for a .PDF version.
For more blanket-making tips, suggestions and ideas, click here.
For a printable list of helpful facts and drop-off information, click here.
Project Linus volunteers sew a Project Linus label on each blanket before it is given to a child.
Drop off blankets in Madison from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily at these Madison Fire Stations ONLY:
421 Grand Canyon Drive
4418 Cottage Grove Road
1517 Troy Drive
Other drop-off locations for Madison :
Prudential Community Realty weekdays 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 9:00 a.m. until noon. 625 N. Segoe Road.
Hans' Sewing and Vacuum, during store hours. 1625 Williamson Street.
M & R Sewing and Vacuum, during store hours. 6115 Odana Road.Drop off blankets in Middleton from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the temporary Middleton Fire Department offices, located in the Hart DeNoble Building at 7927 Airport Road, west of the US Highway 12 Airport Road interchange, on the south side of Airport Road.
Drop off blankets in Sun Prairie from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. weekdays (Saturdays by chance) at the Sun Prairie Fire Department 122 North Bristol Street. If you have questions, contact: Angela at (608) 837-5066 OR: Drop off blankets at Prudential Community Realty, weekdays 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 9:00 a.m. until noon. 3392 Brooks.Drop off blankets in Fitchburg from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. weekdays at Fitchburg Fire Station #2, 5415 King James Way (off of Verona Road, near the intersection of King James Way and Kapec Road).
Drop off blankets in Oregon from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Oregon Fire Department, 131 Spring Street.
Drop off blankets in Beaver Dam at Nancy's Notions Retail Store, during store hours. 333 Beichl Avenue.
Drop off blankets in Stoughton at Stoughton-Area Senior Center, weekdays 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. 248 W. Main Street..
Here are some of the many beautiful blankets that were lovingly made for the children. During the fourth or fifth week of each month we deliver about 230 handmade blankets to delighted children at American Family Children's Hospital and about 120 more to St. Mary's, Madison for hospitalized children. The children and their families are always deeply touched by the obvious love and the spirit of generosity with which these blankets were made. Madison-Area Project Linus also donates blankets to Ronald McDonald House, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, and other area agencies.
For questions about the Madison Chapter of Project Linus, contact:
Christine at 608-836-1572 or e-mail: info@projectlinus-madison.org
Thank you for helping Project Linus help comfort kids!
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Revised: July 1, 2008
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