Project Linus | Graphic by Rose Taylor | The Wright State Guardian
On Tuesday, April 9, in the Student Union Atrium, Residence Life and Housing will partner with Project Linus to make blankets for children in the hospital.
Project Linus
Project Linus is a non-profit organization that works to provide kids in need with essential materials, including cut-tie blankets. Nickole Watson, assistant director for Residential Student Development, spoke about the organization.
“Project Linus has various chapters throughout the United States, and Dayton has its own chapter who focuses on giving these tie-blankets to children in the greater Dayton area,” Watson said.
Project Linus has been partnering with Wright State University since 2004, and that is the same year the first blanket-making event happened on campus. It started in a Residence Hall lounge before moving to the Student Union (where it is currently held) in 2005.
“Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children 0 to 18 in the United States who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need,” the Project Linus website reads.
Preparing for the event
The National Residence Hall Honorary prepares the event and puts it on. Throughout the year, the Residence Life and Housing staff has put on events called “Loving Linus” to cut the fabric in preparation for their big event, Project Linus.
Project Linus has come to campus to help with the smaller events and stays in contact with WSU staff to make sure the event in April will run smoothly.
“We remain in constant communication with each other to ensure we are prepared,” Watson said.
Blanket-making marathon
The official Project Linus event will be on April 9 in the Student Union from 12 to 7 p.m. During this time, students can come for however long they can to help tie fabric together to make the blankets.
In addition to the actual blanket making, the Residence Life and Housing team will also be offering service project hours. They will be giving away prizes every hour for on-campus students. WWSU 106.9 FM, the student-led radio station, will be DJing the event.
After the event, the blankets will be going to several locations across Dayton, including Dayton Children’s Hospital, local shelters and anywhere else where it will be beneficial. The goal is to be able to donate 100 blankets this year.
“I am excited to see the immense impact that our students’ volunteering will do for the children in our Dayton community,” Watson said.
Stop by the Student Union on Tuesday, April 9, to help make these blankets and give back to the Dayton area.
