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ABOUT PROJECT LINUS

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 3,005,973 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.

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ABOUT THE MADISON CHAPTER

Anne Urso coordinates the Madison Area Chapter. Over 29,820 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.

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Disney Program is now closed.  If you are already signed up, continue making your blankets.

Single Fleece Blanket Guidelines: Purchase 1 piece of 1-1/2 yd. fleece per blanket. (2 blankets per registered participant). You choose the color/pattern of fleece. Keep in mind we serve children from 0 to 18 years of age.

1. Cut the selvedge edge off the two sides of fleece (the part where the company name or little holes are).
2. Cut a 5" square out of each corner.
3. Cut 1" wide fringe 5" deep.
4. Tie a slip knot in each of the fringe pieces.

Remember, 2 blankets per person.  This should be a great project for the entire family. 

MAKE A BLANKET DAYS
        
           Many schools, churches and other organizations sponsor a Make a Blanket Day.  The organization "budgets" for this and
            members purchase fabric to make into blankets on behalf of the organization.  Members from the Project Linus Chapter
           are happy to help with the event.  We suggest that making "no sew" fleece blankets is a great way to get many people
           involved, as there is no sewing, just cutting the fringe and tying the blankets. 

           If your organization is interested in sponsoring a Make A Blanket Day, please contact Anne Urso at 608-850-6096 or
           e-mail: info@projectlinus-madison.org.        


BLANKETS

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 Anne 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.

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WHERE TO DONATE YOUR BLANKETS

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 2001 W. Beltline Hwy, Suite 202, weekdays 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
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 Middleton Fire Department offices, 7600 University Avenue (University Avenue at the Beltline)

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 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., 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 the Stoughton Senior Center between 9 am and 5 pm. 

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DONATED BLANKETS

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 120 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.

Donated Blankets

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CONTACT US

For questions about the Madison Chapter of Project Linus, contact Anne at 608-850-6096 or
e-mail: info@projectlinus-madison.org

Rainbow and Heart Thank you for helping Project Linus help comfort kids!

 

All contents Copyright © 2005, 2008 Project Linus - Madison Chapter. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 5, 2009