Project Linus of Gulf Coast Alabama
Handmade blankets for children in our community who are seriously ill, traumatised, or otherwise in need. A blanket is like a hug when you need it the most.
The work
Project Linus of Gulf Coast Alabama is a charity dedicated to providing love and a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children in our local community who are seriously ill, traumatised, or otherwise in need — by gifting them with new, handmade blankets.
Our blankets and quilts are lovingly crafted with care and given to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies and beyond.
We are always looking for new volunteers to join us in this mission. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our organisation, and the blankets they create truly make a difference. The children and their caregivers love them.
Help us spread warmth and comfort to children in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Join us — we need you.
How to help
We accept, and are in need of, finished blankets, supplies to make blankets, and funding to buy supplies for our Blanketeers.
Finished blankets, made to the guidelines below. I am happy to receive blankets for donation at any time.
New fabric, fleece, yarn, batting and thread for our Blanketeers to work with.
Monetary gifts are handled by Project Linus National Headquarters, a registered 501(c)(3). Donations are tax-deductible.
Giving money? Monetary donations are handled by Project Linus National Headquarters so that everything is properly accounted for and your gift is tax-deductible — see Give Online below for how to make sure it reaches our chapter.
If you have a group who would like to volunteer, please get in touch and I will happily arrange a Make a Blanket Day for you. We serve Mobile and Baldwin counties.
Blankets and supplies
If you have handmade blankets to donate, please email me at stewardshipandstitches@gmail.com — until we have designated drop-off locations set up across Mobile and Baldwin counties.
You can also schedule a pick up for blanket-making supplies, such as fabric or yarn. If you have materials that are no longer of use to you, or you are destashing for any reason, please consider passing them to our Blanketeers. They will be put to good use.
For local businesses
We need store locations across Mobile and Baldwin counties willing to act as drop-off points for our Blanketeers’ handmade items. If your business could help us in this way, please let us know.
I make regular trips to collect donated blankets from around the Gulf Coast, then organise and label them and bring them straight to our local hospitals, shelters, police stations and other facilities serving seriously ill or traumatised children.
Monetary gifts
Make a tax-deductible donation online today.
Please name our chapter when you give. On the Headquarters donation form, specify Project Linus Gulf Coast Alabama — otherwise your gift will not reach us. Funds are held at Project Linus Headquarters in a special account for our chapter, which we draw on for blanket-making supplies.
Please do consider giving. We often have Blanketeers who are able to make the blankets but cannot afford the materials themselves. Thank you.
Gather your people
Volunteers — known as Blanketeers — create and donate new, handmade blankets for children in crisis. Coming together for a Make a Blanket Day really does feed the soul of a Blanketeer, and it makes a wonderful service project for all ages.
If you can quilt, crochet, knit or tie, please consider joining us for a Make a Blanket Day — or hosting one for a group in your own area.
You do not have to be an expert to make a blanket that is beautiful to a child.
“Whoever said nothing in life is free never met a Project Linus blanket.”
Where it began
On Christmas Eve 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade magazine, written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Eddie Adams. Part of it featured a small, downy-haired three-year-old named Laura, who had been diagnosed with leukaemia in 1993. Her mother described a special “blankie” that had helped Laura through more than two years of intensive chemotherapy — she took it with her to the hospital every time she went for treatment.
After reading the article, Karen Loucks-Baker wondered whether other ailing youngsters would like security blankets. The answer from the Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Centre was a resounding yes. Within three months Karen’s effort had received national attention, and Project Linus grew from a Denver project into a nationwide one.
Project Linus was named after the security-blanket-toting character from the Peanuts comic strip. Creator Charles Schulz knew of the effort and was delighted to have Linus inspire blanket makers to comfort children in need.
The goal is simple: to provide a blanket of security to children facing substantial distress. Originally focused on cancer patients, Project Linus has since widened to include any seriously ill or traumatised child. The list of recipients grows daily.
From those who receive them
I am an RN in a small children’s hospital in the Midwest. We are the lucky recipients of many Project Linus blankets. I have seen with my own eyes the comfort and happiness these blankets can bring. Our kids are allowed to choose just the right one from the stash, some taking lots of time and care to do so.
When blankets arrive, the staff ooh and aah over them, and we marvel at the generosity and talent of their creators. Thanks for all that you do. It really does matter, and your creations really do brighten the lives of children.
— A paediatric nurse
On December 11, our seven-year-old daughter Caitlyn underwent surgery to correct a malformation in her leg bones — and a four-day stay on the paediatric floor. She did very well with the surgery but was in an immense amount of pain afterwards. The child life department brought her a few things to help her feel better. One was a beautiful tied blanket with horses on the front. I was astonished — how did they know Caitlyn loved horses?
Over the next several days she kept that blanket close every moment, and when a nurse removed it for a procedure she asked for it back immediately. It truly became her security blanket. When I saw the Project Linus tag I was overcome, knowing someone had lovingly made it for my daughter. We are home now, and grateful.
— Caitlyn’s mother
Much to our surprise, our son was born nine weeks early. On one of our first visits to see him — at least the parts of him we could see through tubes and wires — one of the nurses said, “look at the brightly coloured blanket I picked out for him.” It was a bold, hand-quilted piece, and it warmed my heart to think of the love someone had put into a quilt that now lay over my son’s isolette.
It is comforting to know someone is thinking of you when you are facing a premature or sick infant. You feel so helpless and alone. Thank you for the warmth that has filled my heart through a time so trying. You will never know how much it meant to me.
— A mother in the NICU
Before you sew
Wondering what size to make, or what materials to use? Everything you need is here.
We accept only blankets made with new, clean, washable materials in infant, child or teen-friendly colours — crocheted, quilted, knitted, fleece, or tied comforters. These blankets are meant to be colourful, cheerful and cuddly. Every item donated must be entirely new.
There is no size we specifically need. This is a guide — do your own thing. We can use any size.
For blankets, supplies, drop-off locations or a Make a Blanket Day, write to stewardshipandstitches@gmail.com.