NOVEMBER 2024 

Greetings to all,

Just a reminder that our last drop off will be Thanksgiving ‘Saturday’ 11/30. Usual place, FSEC, normal time, 9:00am to 12:30pm.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. 

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OCTOBER 2024

Blankets in:         380                             Blankets out:       346

 

Happy Sunday! Hope you have enjoyed the past couple of days of the lovely Autumn weather! So happy ‘the end’ is in sight! 

        Not much news for you. Thank you for all of the blankets brought in for Billy’s Place, Shop with A Cop etc.. We are getting closer to our goals. 

        As of today, the Chapter does not have a new Coordinator. Most of you know that we always take December off, resuming drop off days the end of January. If there is anything new to tell you, I will inform you on the website. Yes, I plan on letting you know if and when we have a new person in charge, giving you information about who she/he might be and where to send emails. 

        October drop off day will be Saturday, 26th, same place, same time. The last drop off day of the year will be Thanksgiving weekend, November 30th. Please note, there are five Saturdays in November. 

        Looking forward to seeing you. 

​September 2024

Good evening, 

      Thank you for the many kind words you said to me at the end of August, understanding why I have decided to retire from the Coordinator position of our Chapter of Project Linus. It took a great deal of soul searching to announce it, bittersweet as you can imagine. I also received kind emails and phone calls, thank you.

      We still have a few weeks of blanket making before the end of November. Please, please make sure that all pins are removed before you turn in your blankets. Patty (President of P L) announced last week, that two sets of parents were upset enough to phone Patty. The reason? Pins were found in their child’s donated blankets! One parent found TWO pins in their particular blanket. As you will realize, this is not acceptable. For many years we have used a portable metal detector and yes we have found the occasional pin and been able to remove it. However, I did learn an easy way of ‘counting’ pins, use a pin cushion with an amount of pins (maybe 10), write down how many you have used or write on the pin cushion (10 and only use 10). As you sew and remove the pins, make sure you have the ‘ten’ that you started with. Another safe way, use clips instead of pins! 

      We are still needing blankets for Billy’s Place. This organization loves receiving our blankets for their Winter Wonderland event. The blankets can be Christmas, Hanukkah, winter themed. I believe we have donated 60 so far but they are in need of 150 (maybe more) so I am asking for help. 

       Shop with a Cop blankets will be needed by the end of November also. We normally supply 50 for Peoria Police Dept.. 

       Some of you asked what we will do with any extra blankets that we will have left over at the end of November. If someone takes over being Coordinator, they will obviously be given to him or her. If not, we will give them to our recipients, they will receive extra! Also, I have been asked if I know of any other organizations that would accept handmade blankets. The only one I know of is Az Blankets for Kids. I’m not sure if they are still in business. We have received blankets for them when they have not been collected. 

       Our Chapter has been honored by Sleep in Heavenly Peace. If you remember, we have supported this organization for many years by providing large quilts, afghans or fleece for the beds that SiHP build for children. I was invited to go and visit their build workshop (down by the airport) and tour the facility. An amazing operation, from a bare piece of wood, to be used as a frame, sanded, joined together, stained and then stacked ready for assembly at the children’s homes. Bedding is provided and an extra blanket to lay on the bed. Sometimes it is a single bed, sometimes bunk beds. Our name has been added to their Dream Wall. A wall with all their supporters, etc on it. Project Linus is now added. 

 

Next drop off day, September 28th. Same time, same place. I look forward to seeing you then. 

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August 2024

Blankets in:-    763                            Blankets out:-    490

​Happy mid-August, it’s almost September, which I know we are all looking forward to. 

 

      Hope everyone is well, keeping cool and busy while hibernating. 

      I have an announcement which is going to be difficult to write. After much thought and soul searching, I have decided to step down from being Coordinator of the Phoenix West Valley Chapter of Project Linus. I have held the ‘job’ since March of 2010 and quite frankly, I’m tired. 

      I have discussed this with my immediate ‘team’ and we decided that November will be our last drop off day. None of us are getting any younger and the ten of us are finding it difficult to continue. 

     We may have enough blankets to deliver at the end of November but just in case we don’t get enough in October, we will need to collect at the end of November. Don’t forget that we collect for Billy’s Place (Winter Wonderland party) and Shop with a Cop with Peoria PD. These are needed at the beginning of December and are extra blanket deliveries.

      I am hoping that we may have someone who may be interested in taking over the Chapter. They will need to find a new storage / meeting / drop off location as they will not be able to continue to use the FSEC office. I am so grateful to FSEC, they continue to let us have the use of the storage room and use of the office on drop off days but they are growing and will need our ‘space’. As many of you know, our space has been shrinking over the past couple of years. The employees of FSEC, are wonderful. They see us arrive and they are there immediately to help us unload our cars and carry the many bags inside. They are all so kind and helpful. THANK YOU FSEC! 

     WE have donated over 82,000 blankets over the past 14 years. I’ll have a final count after the November drop off. Just think how many children we have reached, giving them some extra love. Not to mention happy parents, grateful for our selfless ‘work’.

THANK YOU for all your support, your friendship and most of all for your love for children that are in crisis. 

     Please don’t forget that there are five Saturdays this month, drop off day will be August 31st. Looking forward to seeing you then. 

 

​July 2024

Blankets in for April / May  667                Blankets out for April / May. 906

       Happy Saturday! I hope you are ‘hibernating’, perhaps creating blankets for Linus?

       My life is settling down, not so many boxes to unpack and I’m beginning to enjoy and love my new house.  I appreciate all the kindness you showed me at the end of May, agreeing to ‘miss’ June’s drop off day. I certainly needed some time to ‘decompress’! 

       You may remember I was going to the Project Linus retreat, I was able to attend even though I came down with Covid, ten days before I was due to leave. No fever, or other known symptoms except for a headache and ‘funny’ throat. Tested neg twice, third time, positive. Why am I telling you this - be vigilant, I have heard of many cases in the past month or so. 

       Retreat was fun, enjoying visiting with old friends, making new ones. The best announcement - Project Linus has now donated over 10 million blankets! What an achievement! It makes me so proud to be part of this wonderful organization. 

      We donated 85 blankets to Williams Syndrome children who with their parents were in Phoenix for the W S convention. I had an email from my contact who thanked us profusely for our donation of beautiful blankets. 

      Please remember NO pet or human hair, smoke or other odors on your blankets. On crocheted or knitted blankets, a 6 inch tail, woven in backwards and forwards, no knots. The knots at the end of your work come out! Knot if you must but leave a tail and weave in! Blankets need to be at least 36”. Blanketeers work so hard on their blankets, which are often no bigger than 18” or 24” square, we have nowhere to donate these too, much too small even for a preemie. We can’t join together because they are all differently done! So, one good size blanket that we can use or 8 that we can’t - that’s an easy answer. 

     No other news. Summer is always quiet! I’m looking forward to our next drop off day - Saturday July 27th from 9:00am to 12:30pm at the FSEC office. See you then! 

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June 2024

Good evening, 

 

Thank you to everyone that ventured out over Memorial weekend to drop off blankets. As always, much appreciated. 

 

Normally I would let you know the amount of blankets collected and how many donated. As most of you know, I have moved. If I can offer any wisdom, it would be not to move! I have downsized, trying to cram all my treasures into a smaller house does not work. I’m still making trips to the thrift store!! Thank goodness for the family, who have given me so much support over the past few weeks. So much to do but they were a great help even though they all had jobs to go to! My office is a disaster, can’t find anything including my Linus ‘stuff’! 

 

No news, a boring newsletter this month. 

 

I have made an enormous decision, after chatting to everyone during the last drop off day, we are NOT going to meet in June. I need a break, mentally and physically. Still have a lot to do in the new house. So, we will see you at the end of July. 

 

It’s the time of year for the desert dwellers to hibernate and I hope create Project Linus blankets. Believe it or not, we always get a lot of blankets at the end of July! I’ve learned to crochet with my work on the side instead of on me! 

 

Next drop off - July 27th. Hope to see you then. 

 

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May 2024

Hello all!

​

It's Sam, Eve's daughter. She is in the middle of moving so there isn't much to report. Thank you to all who celebrated our achievement of making over 80,000 blankets last month. Hope you got a cupcake and a tasty drink when you stopped by.

 

Next Drop off Day, Saturday May 25th. 9:00am to 12:30pm at the FSEC office. Hope to see you then.  

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April 2024

Blankets in :    489                                       Blankets out :  420

Good evening, 
My goodness, I really wish I had more hours in the day!  As most of you know, I am moving soon. After being in this house for 29 years I have accumulated many treasures! Some may say garbage but to me I can’t imagine being without them! LOL! 
Actually I have been purging! I apologize for delay in writing the newsletter. I know you will all understand how busy I am! 
One thing I need to mention once again, baby blankets! We have been receiving tiny blankets, most of which would not cover a baby. Please, if you wish to create a baby blanket, sewn, crocheted or whatever way you would like make one, it needs to be at least 36” x 42”. Crib size if that is easier to think about the size. 
Not much news, oh, wait, I forgot! If you have been paying attention to the newsletters, you will be waiting for an announcement. The first quarter of the year is over, Project Linus report time. It is with much excitement and happiness that I announce to the wonderful Blanketeers of the Phoenix West Valley Chapter of Project Linus that since March of 2010, our Chapter has donated 80,749 blankets to children in crisis so that they will feel love and comfort in their time of need. What can I say? I am so proud of all that we have accomplished. THANK YOU to each and every one of you that help to make our Chapter what it is! 

Next Drop off Day, Saturday April 27th. 9:00am to 12:30pm at the FSEC office. I hope to see you then. 

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March 2024

Blankets in :          453                         Blankets out :       485

Happy St. Patrick’s Day for those that celebrate, Happy Sunday to the rest of you!

Not much news today.
For circumstances beyond my control we will not be donating blankets to Camp Corral this year. Makes me sad because I know how much the campers love our blankets, however, we have many other children we can reach out to who will love our blankets just as much! 
As mentioned in the last newsletter we do need baby / toddler blankets for the William’s Syndrome convention. This will be held in Phoenix in July. 
Thanks to everyone who donated to our yearly fund raiser. 
For the ‘yarn’ Blanketeers, please remember to weave in your tails. So many knitters / crocheters just end their work with knots. Wear and tear, washing, drying cause the knots to come undone. Even though you think they are tight! 
Just recently, the daughter of one of my FSEC ‘family’ members was admitted to Thunderbird hosp. Waiting on the bed, Project Linus blanket! Sandra and her daughter were very happy to receive the blanket, especially as Sandra ‘knows’ about all the wonderful work we all do. 
Please remember, five Saturdays this month. Next drop off day, March 30th. 
As always, thank you to each and everyone of you! Happy blanket making! 
 

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February 2024

​Blankets in:               722                      Blankets out:     485

Good afternoon, hoping everyone is feeling well. 
Before I start this newsletter, I may need to apologize to some of you. As I hope you all know, I am so very proud of our Chapter. I have always said that I can’t do this ‘job’ by myself. I try to thank you every month for supporting our Chapter. I was recently told by one Blanketeer that she doesn’t feel as though she is part of the Project Linus Team. We are all on the same team, providing as many children as we can with some extra love, in the form of a new handmade blanket that they can have for their very own. I do have a small group of immediate helpers that in the past I have called "my team" and I apologize if anyone else has felt like an "outsider". This was never my intention. This small group is made up of a few individuals that volunteer their time in so many additional ways and from now on, I will refer to them as PLT, not my team. If anyone is interested in doing more than just making blankets, and wants to be more consistently involved, please reach out to me directly. I will be listing at the end of each month's newsletter openings as they become available. 

​Just a reminder, we are unable to host monthly Bees as we did pre-covid, which is crazy to think is almost 4 years ago now! FSEC is still kind enough to let us use a closet for storage of our supplies and ready made blankets, but they have grown exponentially and do not have an open space for us to use and congregate. This does not mean that you can't come in and say a brief hello. We'd love to see you.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace received 105 of our blankets last week. Our blankets are paired with sheet sets and then placed on the children’s beds - brand new beds that the volunteers of SiHP create. I have been asked by Karen and Donna to thank each of you that make blankets for Project Linus, some of which get donated to them. They are so happy to receive our beautiful quilts and afghans etc. 
It’s February again, the time of the year that I hate because I have to ask for money from you. As most of you know, each Chapter is responsible for collecting $500 every year. This money helps Project Linus run smoothly. Each state has different licensing rules, insurance rules etc etc.. The money raised by us is put towards these different items at HQ, we however, get to keep the rest which is then put into our ‘account’. I use this money for batting, yarn, fleece, some fabric, office supplies, labels and other items. I am asking each of you to please donate $20 again this year. By asking for a ‘one time payment’ we reach our goal very quickly and I don’t have to bother you again. Thank you to everyone that donated in January. 
We have two events coming up in the next few months. Camp Corral will be in June. Camp Corral is a summer camp for eligible children who have suffered a loss of a military parent or their parent was injured, while serving our country. Under circumstances beyond our control, we did not donate last year, but we need to this year. The campers are between 8 and 15. If you could make an extra blanket or two that would be great. Our second request is to support Williams Syndrome National Convention which is to be held in Phoenix this summer. Our blankets are needed for the daycare that looks after the children of parents attending the Convention. They are going to need 60-65 toddler and 15 baby blankets. This group was planning on coming to Phoenix in July of 2020, obviously they had to cancel because of Covid. Williams Syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. Again, we are going to need extra blankets so we can help these organizations. 
On Friday I attended the Happy Trails quilt show. My goodness there are so many talented quilters that participate in the show. As I walked around, I saw many quilts ready for Project Linus. Happy Trails is one of our biggest supporters, donating approximately 300 quilts a year to our Chapter. Thank you Ladies for your continued support and dedication. 
While I was at the quilt show, I was able to ask a couple of the vendors if they would like to become a drop off location for us. Both are more than happy to help us so a huge welcome to The Sewin Asylum and Cactus Quilting. Thank you!
Last month it was brought to my attention that there was an issue with the pattern page on this website. I have no idea what the problem is/was but it has now been fixed.
Thanks everyone, for all your help. Over 700 blankets last month, awesome!
I’ll see some of you next Saturday, February 24th, 9:00am - 12:30pm. Please note, there are 5 Saturdays in March, the drop off day will be March 30th 2024

​OPEN PLT POSITIONS (aka - HELP NEEDED)

Phoenix Children's Hospital - Delivery

Ronald McDonald House - Delivery

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January 2024

Happy New Year, alright, I’m a little late but it was only 17 days ago. I had the upper respiratory infection and just getting over it. I hope you have escaped it - it was awful. Just glad it wasn’t RSV, the flu or Covid. 

Blanket totals :   November in 453                   November out 595

Now the exciting part, total donated for the year 5,437 blankets

We donated to Shop With A Cop (53) and Billy’s Place received 190

No news as we start another year of Project Linus. We will continue to have Drop Off Days, the last Saturday of every month (except for December, when we don’t meet at all). For those Blanketeers who visit us often, they know that there is no room at FSEC to hold meetings. We are so very fortunate to be able to have storage for our blankets etc. So many Chapters have to pay for storage. 

A reminder, no pet hair or smoke / odors. 
100% acrylic yarn that can be washed and dried in machines. Child friendly colors. Please remember, weave your ‘tails’ in, no knots to end a row or after you have changed colors. Please no chenille or bulky blanket yarn. 
100% cotton fabric, fleece or flannel. Again child friendly colors and patterns. No seasonal themes, except for Christmas / winter. 1/4 inch seam allowance and please no ‘rag’ quilts. 

I need to thank my ‘publisher’, my daughter Sam who helps me produce these newsletters and set up my computer for keeping track of all our blanket donations. As you know, it can be frustrating teaching people to use the computer, I know I cause her some ‘moments’! (To say the least!) 

Thank you to my ‘team’ for all their help, at least once a month, sometimes twice. Labeling blankets, making kits, bagging, delivering, sorting donations, whatever needs to be done. Mostly without complaining, not that I would listen! 

I haven’t announced a total of blankets that we have delivered for a while. It’s now time and I am so excited to give you the number. This total is from March of 2010 until December of 2023 …….. drum roll, trumpets blaring, ready?     79,369!  We will be reaching 80,000 before too long! This is an amazing number and I really need to thank each and everyone of you, who have supported our Chapter, dedicated many hours to make sure we reach as many children as possible who are in crisis and need some extra love by receiving a hand made blanket. 

I started this newsletter a few days ago. As I said at the beginning I haven’t been well, at the same time my beloved dog, Whitley wasn’t well either. An overnight stay at the Emergency Clinic, vet visits, ultrasounds, fluids and med at home (thanks Sam). I spent two nights with very little sleep but unfortunately Whitley deteriorated and I had to say goodbye to her on Saturday morning. As with all volunteer jobs, family comes first - sorry for the delay.

First drop off for the year, this upcoming Saturday, January 27th. 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. 17621 N 25th Avenue, Phoenix. I look forward to seeing you.