Project Linus is a nation-wide organization that works to provide blankets to children that are ill and hospitalized. Wright State’s National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) decided to make Project Linus their service project this year. They will host an event in the Atrium Saturday, Feb. 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Students can go to stations to cut, tie or package blankets for transportation. There will be music, light refreshments and opportunities to socialize with others.
“I love that this project can get a lot of people involved in simple tasks that create something beautiful and heartwarming for a child in a hard time of their life,” President of NRHH Megan Rose said.
According to Rose they say it best on their website: “Provide 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, lovingly created by volunteer ‘blanketeers.’”
Since 1998, Project Linus has made over four million blankets and has local chapters in every state. Each chapter designates drop-off locations for volunteers to take blankets. The chapter coordinator researches the need in the area and distributes the blankets to hospitals or other locations.
“We hope to complete 240 blankets that can be distributed to children throughout the Dayton area,” Rose said. “We have about 15 members of NRHH working on organizing the event and hope that several volunteers will help the day of the event to make the blankets”
In the past NRHH had similar events and made over 1,000 blankets in one day. They hope it will grow again in the near future. This being Rose’s first year as President the main challenge of this project is organization.
“Those who planned the event in the past had a grasp on what needed to be done and put on an amazing event,” Rose said. “This year we are jumping back in without any returning members to share with us about previous events.”
Any student could volunteer and all materials will be available in the Atrium. Blankets are made of fleece with a fringed edge. Blankets can also be donated to local chapters as well as monetary donations needed to make the organization run. All fabrics and styles can be used, but the blankets must be new handmade, washable and come from a smoke free and contaminant free environment. They have to be in excellent quality because hospitals will not accept blankets that will jeopardize the health of patients.
“Project Linus is great for WSU because many people can come together and enjoy themselves while giving back to the community,” Rose said. “This year I hope that we create blankets that bring a smile to some children and that other students will be inspired to keep going in the future.”
