July 2026 Newslette

 

 

July 2026

Hello Blanketeers,                                                                                                                                       

Once again we would like to send a big thank you and shout out to all of our “Blanketeer’s” for their continued support by making so many lovely handmade blankets for children in need in our community. Because of your continued support we are able to deliver over 200 a month. With that being said, it has recently been announced by National Headquarters, that over 10.7million new handmade blankets have been given to children in need nationally. We are a mighty “ Village”.

                                               

                                                             

 

Erie Gives is fast approaching-  Tuesday August 11, 2026

 We would ask that if you give to a charity throughout the year, that you would consider donating to NWPA Project Linus on that day. As each year goes on, there are many new non profits that are a part of the Erie Gives. We are a very small fish, in a very large pond. Over all 11.3 Million dollars were raised in this 24 hours of fund raising for ErieGives during last years event. That is an incredible amount and we continue to have a very generous Community.

Your donation to NWPA Project Linus would assist us to purchase blanket making materials, such as batting, yarn, fleece, flannel and cotton material to help us meet the growing need in our Community of children in need.

 

We would greatly appreciate if you all could forward this email onto your contacts, to spread the word about this awesome event.

                                                              

 

**** Once again this year for Erie Gives, you will be able to donate from 12:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. So if you are and early bird or night owl the opportunity to make your donation just became easier. ***

 

**** Effective Immediately Doug Yaple’s Vacuum Center at 1815 E. 38^th Street will stop being a drop off location. They are moving to a new Location. Next month we will provide the address to their new store *****

                      

                                                               

RIMINDERS:

 

·        Fleece blankets need to be single, 1 ½ - 2 yards makes a great size blanket if you are tying the blanket. Remember to trim the 2 selvage sides of the fleece before you start to cut your strips and cut out the 4 corners as well.

-                                                              

 

·       It has been brought to our attention, that we need to be cautious with the patterns of crocheted or knitted afghans. Due to little fingers that may get caught in the holes of aghans that have a more open pattern. Sometimes it may only be reducing the needle size. We are very grateful for the beautiful afghans that we receive.

·       As always, we need boy blankets of all sizes and kinds

·       Be watchful of leaving pins in a quilted blanket

 

    Update:  The web page is up to date with current information about our Chapter

 

 

Looking Ahead:

 

August 11^th-              Erie Gives

February 20^TH -         National Make a Blanket Day (2027)

 

Updates via Facebook and our Blog as well. You can find us at:

 

·     NWPA Project Linus -    Like us -and that automatically will add you to our friend list.

·       www.nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com-  

NWPA Project Linus  

  FaceBook

nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com  

 

Warmly,

 

JoAnn Burkhart

Coordinator NWPA Project Linus

1-814-392-5583 

June Newsletter 2026

 

                                                                                                    

June, 2026

Good Afternoon Blanketeers,

This June Newsletter is going out a bit early due to my surgery tomorrow and being in a sling for 5 weeks will make it difficult to type. Hope everyone enjoys the Memorial Weekend.

Every year Erie Gives has grown, now with nearly 450 non profits listed  This kind of makes NWPA Project Linus a small fish in a very large pond. Your continued support of our organization is much needed and appreciated. We are so excited to be apart of this event on August 11th, NWPA Project Linus has a very unique opportunity for this one day online event- Erie Gives from 12:00am – 12:00pm @ Eriegives.org for a thirteenth year. We have qualified and are registered for this event.

 

                                                      

                                                                

We would ask that if you give to a charity throughout the year, that you would consider donating to NWPA Project Linus on that day.Over all last year 11.3 Million dollars were raised in this 24 hours of fund raising here in Erie. That is an incredible amount and we continue to have a very generous Community.

Your donation to NWPA Project Linus would assist us to purchase blanket making materials, such as batting, yarn, fleece, flannel and cotton material to help us meet the growing need in our Community of children in need.

 

*** Update- Due to technical difficulties we are unable to make any updates or changes to our blog. We do put the monthly Newsletter into the blog. But at this time we are not able to make changes to our drop of locations, meetings, or places that receive our blankets. It may take awhile to get it updated.***

REMINDERS:

 -Due to children's allergies and possible respiratory issues, please refrain from the use of dryer sheets, fabric softeners and scented bags when either laundering or storing blanket making material.

 

*****Our entire Chapter, which included Erie, Crawford, Mercer , Western Warren and Western Chautauqua counties still have a need of small baby size blankets. These are approx. sizes that are needed.******

PREEMIE/ NEWBORN        30 X 30       36 X 36

We always need all sizes big and small as we do give blankets to children from birth to age 18. It seems like lately we have more of the larger size than the smaller ones. Once again we are very grateful for all that our Blanketeers do for our organization.

Another reminder, when you crochet or knit an afghans for babies or small children, remember to use a pattern that may not be too airy. This is for the safety of little fingers or getting stuck on hospital equipment. Sometimes you only need to adjust your needle size.

If you have any questions regarding blanket sizes or types of blankets, please contact me

 1-814-392-5583

*** We have muslin squares that are all ready to be traced for upcoming events this summer and fall. If anyone would be so kind as to take a bag and trace some for us, would be greatly appreciated. These squares, once they are colored by students , go into a Kids Helping Kids quilt. Please give me a call to make arrangements for pick up.***

There are still many kits available for pick up, please contact me @ 814-392-5583

Thank you so very much.

Looking Ahead:

 

August 11 ^th-              Erie Gives

 

 Follow us on Facebook as well. You can find us at:

·       NWPA Project Linus -    Like us -and that automatically will add you to our friend list.

·       www.nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com- is our web page

 

Warmly, 

JoAnn Burkhart

NWPA Project Linus – Coordinator

  814-392-5583

Nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

May Newletter

 

  

May Newsletter , 2026

Hello  Blanketeers,

Usually in May we have our annual Kit Pick up Day. This year it will be a bit different due to me getting ready for shoulder surgery. All of the kits named below will be available for pick up only. I would ask that you contact me to make arrangements. 1-814-392-5583

There will be many types of sewing kits with matching flannel backs:

·       Super 9 Patch

·       24” exploding square

·       10” squares  ( 4 across – 6 down)

·       Disappearing 9 Patch

 Yarn will also be available.

I look forward to hearing from our many Blanketeers requesting kits or yarn.

Thank you to all of our wonderful “ Blanketeers” for your continued support of NWPA Project Linus. Without your amazing quilts, knitted and crocheted afghans and fleece blankets, we would not be able to deliver nearly 200 new hand made blankets monthly.  You are a mighty Village.

******* We have a great need of baby size blankets at this time. There are many agencies that we deliver to that only have a need for baby blankets. The sizes that we need are approx.******

                           30” X 30”     36” s 36”  These blankets can be knitted,  crocheted, quilted or fleece

                                                                                         

Looking Ahead:

 

August 11^th – Erie Gives Day                                                    

ODDS & ENDS:

 

-        If you are doing any Spring Cleaning in your Sewing Room- please consider NWPA Project Linus. We can always use pieces and parts of material and yarn. 

-        Project Linus’ mission statement is that we provide new handmade blankets to children in need. We are unable to accept gently used blankets or store made blankets.

-        If you have these types of blankets, there are organizations that would gladly receive them.

-        Shelters, Salvation Army, Women’s Care Centers to name a few.

REMINDERS:

·       If blankets are coming from a home that someone smokes in, or has animals that may be around your project, we ask that these blankets be laundered with scent free detergent for the safety of the children receiving them, that may have respiratory  issues.

·       The same applies with storing or bagging blankets, that they are not stored in scented bags or have used scented fabric softener. We know that they leave a pretty scent, but for our kids, it may not be healthful for them.

·       VERY IMPORTANT- Please remove the 2 selvages sides of fleece prior to cutting the strips for tying. We receive many blankets that have the selvage on the blankets that need to be trimmed before we can give that blanket to a child in need. Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

 Follow us on Facebook for updates. You can find us at:

·       NWPA Project Linus -    Like us -and that automatically will add you to our friend list.

·       www.nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com- is our web page

 

Warmly, 

JoAnn Burkhart

NWPA Project Linus – Coordinator

1-814-392-5583 ( c)

Nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

April Newletter 2026

 

         

                                                 

April, 2026

Welcome Spring Blanketeers,                                                                            

If you are Spring cleaning your craft or Sewing room, please keep NWPA Project Linus in mind, We are always happy to receive pieces and parts of cotton material, Flannel, yarn or fleece. They make for very cheery and fun blankets.

ODDS & ENDS:

-        There is still a need for boy blankets of all types and sizes. When we deliver blankets, we always try to put a mix of boy and girl blankets, so that the hospital or agency has a variety to pass out to their patients or clients.

-        Our blankets need to be kid safe and friendly, so , no buttons, ribbons or long fringe. And as always, please check for pins.

-        Knitters, crocheters and those that crochet around fleece blankets, we have a good assortment of yarn. Please contact me to make arrangement for pick up at 814-392-5583

REMINDERS:

-        Please be cautious of the crochet or knitted patterns, along with the type of yarn and needle size, so that the finished afghan doesn’t have too big of “holes” in it or too loose. It was brought to my attention that “Little fingers” can become entwined in them or caught on hospital equipment. If you are making an afghan for an older child, then most patterns will be fine.          

 

-        Due to children’s unknown allergies, Respiratory issues and sensitivities please be cautious of perfumes, dryer sheets, fabric softeners and scented bags in regards to making, storing blanket making material or dropping off a blanket. These are things that we may not even think of that could set off a medical situation for a child.

Looking Ahead:

 

August 11^th-                 Erie Gives

 

 Follow us on Facebook for updates as well. You can find us at:

·       NWPA Project Linus -    Like us -and that automatically will add you to our friend list.

·       www.nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com- is our web page

 

Warmly, 

JoAnn Burkhart

NWPA Project Linus – Coordinator

814-392-5583

Nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com