February Newsletter

February, 2016

Hello Blanketeers,    

This information was taken from our National web site regarding the beginning of National Make a Blanket Day. I have been asked of its origin many times, so here it is:

HOW DID IT BEGIN?

National Make a Blanket Day began in 1999 after the terrible events that took place at Columbine High School. We found that suddenly we were in need of a very large number of blankets, and quickly. Our chapters came to the rescue, holding “blanket bees” all over the country and then sending those blankets to our local chapters in Denver. It was a huge success, and we learned that we had a national network of people who could and would help. It was decided that we would hold an annual Make A Blanket Day where each chapter could host activities in their area to promote Project Linus and to increase our inventory of warm cuddly blankets. Generally, we can attribute the collection of 75,000 to 100,000 blankets to National Make a Blanket Day! 

NWPA National Make a Blanket Day Schedule is as follows:

                                                                      

Kelly’s Sewing Corner- 3330 W.26^th Street (Village West)                         10:00-3:00

Millcreek Sewing – 6044 Peach Street                                                           1:00-4:00

Super Stitch -55 West Main Street- North East                                            10:00-3:00

Fox’s Sew & Vac Sales and Service Downtown Mall – Meadville PA        10:00-3:00

St. Michael’s Church- Greenville, PA                                                              11:00- 3:00

Zanadu Fabric, Yarn & Crafts -105 N. Fraley Street, Kane  PA (814) 561-1047 – 10:00-4:00

                                                                                                                           Saturday April 16th

In the next month or so I will be in need of our wonderful blanketeers to again help with the cutting, tracing of the muslin as we prepare for our upcoming summer events. Several bolts of muslin need to be prepared for those events. As I have the muslin ready, I will let you ladies know.

Monthly meetings:

February 3^rd-        Millcreek Sewing Center               6044 Peach Street      1:00pm- 4:00pm ( regular meeting )

February 8th -      Yaple’s Vacuum & Sewing               801 W. 26^th Street       9:00am-11:00am,

Odds and Ends:

Spring “ Sew In Day” at the Hampton Inn date is pending at this time. Possible dates end of April or early May.

Reminders: Please leave your contact information as you drop of your blankets, so that we can send out a note of appreciation.

Looking Ahead:

February 20^th            -National Make a Blanket Day-

April 9th         –           Appreciation Day- Yaple’s Vacuum & Sewing 10:00-2:00

July 27^th-                     Senior Day at the Erie Zoo

August 9^th-                  Erie Gives

August 19^th-21^st-       Celebrate Erie

 Please follow us on Facebook as well, for up to date and current events. You can find us at:

·       NWPAProjectLinus-    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

1-814-864-9389

nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

NWPA Project Linus    FaceBook

nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com    

National Make Blanket Day is coming

Saturday February 20th. 

Kelly's Sewing Corner
Millcreek Sewing
Super Stitch
Fox's Sewing
St. Michael's ( Greenville)

More info to follow soon !!!!!

A day to come together and make blankets at some of our locations or drop off completed blankets.
A day to make a difference for a child in need in our Communities. Especially during these cold winter months
A day for our Blanketeers to meet and spend time together exchanging ideas.
A blanket that is quilted, knitted, crocheted, or fleece tied, is like a warm hug to a child that is going through a trying time.

Letter to the Editor - Erie Times News

Letter to the Editor- Erie Times News

Thanks to volunteers and supporters of NWPA Project Linus:

The NWPA Chapter of Project Linus would like to thank our many volunteers (blanketeers!) and supporters for all of their time and efforts throughout 2015. We gave out over 3,000 blankets in 2015, and more than 35,000 in the last 15 years.

Our mission is to provide the comfort of a new handmade blanket to children in traumatic situations, due to illness, emergency situations, or other challenging events. Our blankets are distributed locally to Millcreek Community Hospital, St. Vincent Health Center, UPMC Hamot Hospital. Camp Corral ( @ Camp Fitch), Office of Children and Youth Services, Safenet, Crime Victim Center and many other agencies that provide a much needed service to children in need.

Our volunteers donate countless hours creating beautiful quilts, afghans and fleece blankets so that kids can have a warm hug. We would also like to thank Kohl’s for grants that support our mission, allowing us to purchase supplies. A huge Thanks also goes out to many local Quilt Shoppe’s ( Yaple’s Sewing & Vacuum, Kelly’s Sewing Corner, Millcreek Sewing, Secret Squirrel, Super Stitch, Fox’s Sew & Vac, The Gallery of Fabric and Zanadu Fabric Yarn and Craft. ) that open their doors for monthly meetings and drop off locations.

For more information about Project Linus, see- www.projectlinus.org or www.nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com, like us on Facebook (NWPA Project Linus), or contact us at nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com .

Thank you to all in the Tri-State area who support us.

JoAnn Burkhart, CHAPTER COORDINATOR, erie,pa

January 2016 Newsletter

                                                           

January, 2016

Happy New Year Blanketeers,    

                                                                        

Thank you again for an awesome 2015, with over 3,000 blankets donated and delivered to:

 Agencies: Office of Children and Youth Services, Community Shelter Services, Crime Victim Center, Safe Start, SafeNet, Women’s Care Centers, International Institute, Refuge Homeless Shelter, Sarah Reed Children’s Home, Children’s Advocacy Center and many many more…………………

Including our 3 local Hospitals, ( UPMC Hamot Hospital, St. Vincent Health Center and Millcreek Community Hospital) in their NICU, Maternity and Pediatric Units , that many children in need were comforted. We can only hope that 2016 will be filled with Blanketeers once again being so caring and generous.

I am reposting last year’s portion of the newsletter stating what makes a Blanket a Project Linus Blanket. It is very important information regarding our NWPA Project Linus Chapter.

Throughout this past year on several occasions in one way or another I have been asked “ What makes a blanket a Project Linus blanket”. Here is the answer defined by Project Linus:

                                                                 

1.    A new handmade blanket that is quilted, knitted, crocheted, or fleece tied

2.    A blanket that has been turned into one of our many local drop off locations

3.    A blanket that has had a Project Linus label sewn onto it and a Project Linus hang tag pinned to it

4.    A blanket that has been logged into our NWPA Project Linus Chapter for verification

5.    A blanket that has been logged out THROUGH NWPA Project Linus to an Agency or Hospital also verified

We are required by Project Linus National Headquarters to provide them a quarterly and annual report of all blankets In and Out. This is also required in order to maintain our Non-Profit 501C3 status.

Listed below are our current Stores, Quilt Shoppes or Individuals that have graciously opened their doors to Project Linus to be a drop off location:

Erie County:

Joann Burkhart- NWPA Project Linus Coordinator -1446 Patterson Ave Erie, PA 16508  1-814-864-9389  

Tena Pomeroy- ( Albion) 1-814-859-0033

Yaple’s – 801 W. 26^th Street, Erie PA                                Marie Bissell - ( Lake City) 1-814-774-4884

Kelly’s Sewing Corner- 3330 W.26^th Street (Village West) 

Millcreek Sewing – 6044 Peach Street            Super Stitch -55 West Main Street- North East

Crawford County:

Fox’s Sew & Vac Sales and Service Downtown Mall – Meadville PA

Warren County:

Ronnieanne Walters – 1-814-723-5408     Super Stitch 2 -113 Market Street Warren PA

Mercer County:

Linda Hajtol – 1-724-588-3289        The Gallery of Fabric- 116 N. Pitt Street  Mercer  PA

McKean County:

Zanadu Fabric, Yarn & Crafts -105 N. Fraley Street  Kane  PA

 For your convenience I hope this list will assist our Blanketeers as to where a lovingly handmade Project Linus blanket can be dropped off.

So if blankets are being given in the name of Project Linus and our numbers are incorrect, it could seriously put our local Chapter at risk.

That being said, blankets being given to children in need independently is certainly a wonderful deed.

Monthly meetings:

January  -         Millcreek Sewing Center               6044 Peach Street   NO MEETING THIS MONTH   

January 11^th -   Yaple’s Vacuum & Sewing            801 W. 26^th Street       9:00a.m.-11:00a.m.

National Make a Blanket Day- February 20^st 2016, here is a list of the Stores or Quilt Shoppes that are participating this year:

·       Fox’s Sew & Vac -                      Meadville

·       Millcreek Sewing Center –       Erie  “ Sew In” 1:00- 4:00

·       Kelly’s Sewing Corner -             Erie

·       Super Stitch -                              North East –  “ Sew In” 10:00- 2:00  *NEW*

·       Zanadu-Fabric,Yarn & Crafts – Kane, PA – April 16^th – 10:30- 2:30 “ Sew In”

Odds and Ends:

I have been asked to relate stories of children receiving blankets and how they react to them. Unfortunately due to HIPPA Laws we are unable to directly give a child a blanket. Very often when we deliver blankets to an Agency, we ring a bell and a door is open a crack and we give the attendant the bag of blankets. Occasionally, we might be told that the blankets are a big help to the children, or that the blankets are the only warmth for a new baby.  

Reminders: Please leave your contact information as you drop of your blankets, so that we can send out a note of appreciation.

Looking Ahead:

February 20^th  -National Make a Blanket Day-

April 9th         – Appreciation Day- Yaple’s Vacuum & Sewing 10:00-2:00

 This year I will try to get information out via Facebook as well. You can find us at:

·       NWPAProjectLinus-    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

814-864-9389    814-392-5583 (c)

Nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

December, 2015

Merry Christmas Blanketeers,  
                                                                             

As we begin the month of December, I look back at the year passing us by and am grateful for all of the wonderful Blanketeers and Quilt Shoppe’s that have made it possible for NWPA Project Linus to continue its mission of bringing comfort to children in need in our Community. With your caring support the statement “ It takes a village” comes to life.

Thank you to all who have donated blankets, material, yarn, a place to meet or time to NWPA Project Linus, your efforts are outstanding and appreciated.

February 21, 2016

·        National Make a Blanket Day- Here are a few points of interest about MABD-

·       Bring awareness of the need for blankets

·       Bring awareness to those in need in the winter months that may be in Shelters, Emergency Services…

·       An opportunity for Blanketeers to get together and meet one another

·       An opportunity for Blanketeers to share their ideas of blanket patterns

·       This date may seem far off at this time, but it will be here before we know it.

·        There will be “Sew In’s” or drop off locations in the next newsletter.

Monthly meetings:

December 2nd - Millcreek Sewing Center               6044 Peach Street      1:00pm- 4:00pm

December 14^th - Yaple’s Vacuum & Sewing            801 W. 26^th Street      9:00am-11:00am

December 16^th-  Secret Squirrel                               3025 French Street     10:00am- 2:00pm

ODDS & ENDS:

 Due to a recent influx of larger size blankets our need at this time is the small and baby sizes – 36 X 36.             36 X 40, 40 X 60.

As always, we need all sizes all of the times, but if you are inclined to make the baby or smaller blankets, we would appreciate it.

REMINDERS:  Project Linus National policy states that we are unable to accept blankets with religious themes.

Looking Ahead: At this time we have no other events scheduled for the remainder of the year other than our monthly meetings, but there is a new one for next year:

February 21^st -National Make a Blanket Day- more information to follow as it becomes available.

 This year I will try to get information out via Facebook as well. You can find us at:

·       NWPAProjectLinus-    Like us -and that automatically will add you to our friend list.

·       nwpaprojectlinusblogspot.com- is our web page

Warmly, 

JoAnn Burkhart

NWPA Project Linus – Coordinator

814-864-9389

Nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

November 2015 Newsletter

Hello Blanketeers,

Thanksgiving is heading our way so very quickly as it seems to every year. Summer was just a few weeks ago, and here we have already had our first snow of the season.

 NWPA Project Linus is grateful for all of our Blanketeers that have helped to make our organization be what it is today. Without your continued support we would never be able to meet the needs of the children in need in our Community. From the tiniest of babies to the big and tall teens, please know that the blankets whether they are knitted, crocheted, quilted, of fleece tied are helping bring comfort.

ODDS & ENDS:

 -Due to a recent influx of larger size blankets our need at this time is the small and baby sizes – 36 X 36.    36 X 40, 40 X 60.

As always, we need all sizes all of the times, but if you are inclined to make the baby or smaller blankets, we would appreciate it.

- We are still asking for gently used receiving blankets. These blankets are used in Car seats for NICU babies. Please contact me if you might have any that you no longer have a use for.

REMINDERS:   We cannot accept blankets with religious themes on them. (  National Policy)

Monthly meetings

November  4^th         -       Millcreek Sewing                   6044 Peach Street         1:00pm- 4:00 pm

                                   

November 9th    -           Yaple’s Vacuum & Sewing    801 W. 26^th Street           9:00 am-11:00 am

November 18th    -         Secret Squirrel                      3025 French Street         10:00 am- 2:00 pm * NEW*

Looking Ahead:

February 20^th, 2016-  National Make a Blanket Day

 This year I will try to get information out via 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

1-814-864-9389

nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

NWPA Project Linus    FaceBook

nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com

October Newsletter

 October 2015

Welcome Fall Blanketeers,

It’s that time of year for warm days and cool nights, along with Fall cleaning, please keep NWPA Project Linus in mind with material and yarn. We can always use pieces and parts to make colorful blankets for the kids.

Here again are the Quilt Shoppe’s and Blanketeers that are drop off locations for our Chapter. I often receive calls requesting this information. We are very grateful for all the time and help these Store’s and individuals donate to NWPA Project Linus.

Erie County:

Yaple's Vacuum & Sewing Center -801 W.26th Street Erie, PA 16508

Kelly's Sewing Corner -3330 W. 26th Street ( Village West) Erie, PA 16506

Millcreek Sewing Center- 6044 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509

Secret Squirrel – 3025 French Street, Erie, PA 16504

Super Stitch -55 West Main Street North East, PA 16428

JoAnn Burkhart-  1446 Patterson Ave Erie, PA 16508 

Tena Pomeroy -  1-814-969-4433 ( Albion )

Marie Bissell        1-814-774-4884 ( Lake City)

Crawford County:

Fox’s Sew & Vac Sales and Service – Downtown Mall, Meadville, PA 6335

Warren County:

Ronnieann Walters- 1-814-723-5408

Super Stitch 2- 113 Market Street, Warren, PA 16365

Mercer County:

Linda Hajtol- 1-724-588-3289

The Gallery of Fabric- 116 N. Pitt Street, Mercer, PA 16137

McKean County:

Zanadu Fabric Yarn and Craft-  105 Fraley Street, Kane PA 16735

ODDS & ENDS:

 Due to a recent influx of larger size blankets our need at this time is the small and baby sizes – 36 X 36.             36 X 40, 40 X 60.

As always, we need all sizes all of the times, but if you are inclined to make the baby or smaller blankets, we would appreciate it.

REMINDERS:   When you drop off blankets, please include your contact information.

Monthly meetings

October  7^th         -       Millcreek Sewing                   6044 Peach Street         1:00pm- 4:00 pm

                                   

October 12th    -          Yaple’s Vacuum & Sewing    801 W. 26^th Street           9:00 am-11:00 am

October  21st    -         Secret Squirrel                      3025 French Street         10:00am- 2:00pm * NEW*

Looking Ahead:

February 20^th, 2016-  National Make a Blanket Day

 This year I will try to get information out via 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

1-814-864-9389 1-814-392-5583 (C)

nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

NWPA Project Linus    FaceBook

nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com