Sunday, February 2, 2025

February 2025 Newsletter

 


                                                          

February, 2025

Hello Blanketeers,    

Once again, I am re-posting the information that 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! 

All locations this year will again be drop off only.

We are looking forward to a very successful Make a Blanket Day, please come out and support our Local Chapter and the many stores that provide a Drop Off location for finished blankets.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15TH NATIONAL MAKE A BLANKET DAY

NWPA Project Linus National Make a Blanket Day drop off ONLY locations are as follows:

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

JoAnn Fabrics -7200 Peach Street  Erie                                                           9:00- 7:00

Fox’s Sew & Vac Sales and Service Downtown Mall – Meadville PA        9:30-2:00

JoAnn Fabrics - 18921 Park Ave Plaza  Meadville                                         9:00-7:00

Doug Yaple’s Vacuum- 1815 E. 38th Street                                                    10:00- 2:00

Doug Yaple’s West    2301 W. 12th                                                                 10:00-2:00

Super Stitch – 10429 W. Main Street North East, PA                                   10:00-3:00

Saint Michael’s Church 85 High Street Greenville, PA 16125 (M-F)           9:00-3:00

Children’s Aid Society 350 W. Market St  Mercer, PA  (M-F )                      9:00- 4:30

 

Odds & Ends:  

·       We are still in need of Boy Blankets ( All sizes and types)

·       Baby blankets

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, or dropping off completed blankets. Although they may have a pretty aroma, the scents absorb into the materials, which may be difficult to remove.

  • When making a Single Layer Fleece No Sew Blanket we recommend at least 1 ½ to 2 yards of Fleece fabric. And most important, before you start to cut the strips that, FIRST you TRIM the 2 SELVAGE SIDES, then from there you have options in how you wish to tie your blanket.

 

                 




                      
                                

I put this reminder in occasionally, as we receive many blankets with the selvage still on the blankets. We then have to trim each strip of the selvage before that blanket can be delivered.          

 

Looking Ahead:

 

February 15th            -National Make a Blanket Day

May 21st                     Spring Kit Pick up Day 

August 12th-               Erie Gives Day

 

 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

814-392-5583 (c)

Nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

Saturday, January 4, 2025

January 2025 Newsletter






January, 2025
Happy New Year Blanketeers,                                                                            
I hope that everyone enjoyed a Merry Christmas and wishing you all a very Happy New Year!!
With the help of our generous Blanketeers many Agencies have benefited with new handmade blankets that have brought comfort to children in need in 2024. In fact we delivered nearly 1,000 blankets in the 4th quarter alone. That is only made possible by your continued support.
Office of Children and Youth Services, Community Shelter Services, Crime Victim Center, Erie Free Store, Safe Start, SafeNet, Women’s Care Centers, Nurse Family Partnership, International Institute, Refuge Homeless Shelter, Children’s Advocacy Center, Millcreek Community Hospital) Pediatric Unit, W.I.C. Erie, Foster Erie, Project Love, Shriner’s Hospital, UPMC Hamot, St. Vincent’s Hospital  and many many more…………………a complete listing can be found on our web page –
We can only hope that 2025 will be filled with Blanketeers once again being so caring and generous.
 Listed below are our current Stores, Quilt Shoppes or Individuals that have graciously opened their doors to NWPA Project Linus to be a drop off location:
Erie County:
Joann Burkhart- NWPA Project Linus Coordinator -1446 Patterson Ave Erie, PA 16508  1-814-392-5583  
Tena Pomeroy- ( Albion) 1-814-859-0033
Doug Yaple’s – 1815 E 38th Street, Erie PA                                Marie Bissell - ( Lake City) 1-814-774-4884
Doug Yaple’s West 2301 W. 12th Street
Kelly’s Sewing Corner- 3330 W.26th Street (Village West) 
Super Stitch -10429 W Main Street- North East
JoAnn Fabric’s- 7200 Peach Street
Crawford County:
Fox’s Sew & Vac Sales and Service Downtown Mall – Meadville PA
Jo Ann Fabric’s 18921 Park Ave Plaza  Meadville Pa
Sew Frannetastic   20292 East Street  Saegertown, PA
Warren County:
Ronnieanne Walters – 1-814-723-5408    
Mercer County:
Linda Hajtol – 1-724-588-3289       
St. Michael’s Church 85 N High Street Greenville, PA 16125
JoAnn Fabric’s 2481 E. State St. Hermitage, PA 16148 Closing 1/19/2025  NO LONGER A DROP OFF LOCATION
Children’s Aid Society 350 W. Market Street Mercer PA 16137
For your convenience I hope this list will assist our Blanketeers as to where a lovingly handmade Project Linus blanket can be dropped off.
Monthly meetings:
January 16th      Doug Yaple’s Vacuum                   1815 E. 38th Street    10:00-2:00
National Make a Blanket Day- February 15TH, 2025
New handmade blankets can be dropped off on this day at all of our drop off locations that were stated above. This is a drop off location event ONLY.
Odds and Ends:
- We are still in need of Boy blankets- All sizes and types ( knitted, crocheted, quilted and fleece tied)
Reminders:
- When knitting or crocheting an afghan please be aware of the needle size and yarn weight, so that your finished item isn’t too loose or “holey”, due to little fingers and hospital equipment.
If you are making fleece tied blankets, the 2 selvage sides MUST BE TRIMMED prior to cutting the strips. Otherwise we have to trim each strip individually before a child receives that blanket. This is very time consuming. We ask that these directions are followed.
- Project Linus blankets are new handmade blankets
Looking Ahead:
 
February 15th  2025      - National Make a Blanket Day
August 12th      2025      - Erie Gives Day
·       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
 1-814-392-5583
nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

NWPA Project Linus    FaceBook
nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com    

Sunday, December 1, 2024

December Newsletter

 



December Newslettter, 2024

Hello Blanketeers,                                                                               

Hope that you are all staying safe and warm during this Thanksgiving snow event. One bright thought with having to stay in during this storm, is , it may give us more time to work on Linus blankets.

To date we have delivered  over 70,000 blankets in our 26 years as a chapter, to hospitals, emergency shelters, group homes, women’s care centers, and many other agencies that provide aid and comfort to children in need that would not have been possible without our wonderful Blanketeers and Quilt Shoppe’s that support NWPA Project Linus. With your caring support the statement “ It takes a village” truly does comes to life.

Thank you to all who have donated blankets, material, yarn, a place to drop off blankets or time to NWPA Project Linus, your efforts are wonderfully appreciated. That is an amazing amount of knit and purl, knitted blankets, single and double crocheted afghans, thousands of tied knots on fleece blankets and countless bindings on quilts.

 

February 15, 2025

·        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…

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

·        There will be only drop off locations in the next newsletter.

 

ODDS & ENDS:  

 

-We are still in need of Boy blankets of all sizes and types from baby to the big kids.

 

 

REMINDERS:

  

-        Due to children’s allergies and possible Respiratory Issues we need to refrain from using dryer sheets, scented bags when storing blankets and blanket making materials. Although they make for a pretty scent, it may trigger an episode for a child receiving that blanket.

-         

-        When making a Fleece No Sew Single layer Blanket we recommend at least 1 ½ to 2 yards of fabric. And most important, before you start to cut the strips to, FIRST ,TRIM the 2 SELVAGE SIDES, then from there you have options in how you wish to tie your blanket.

Looking Ahead:

 

 February 15th, 2025-       National Make a Blanket Day

 August 12th, 2025-          Erie Gives Day

 

 

 

Follow us on Facebook for updates 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

814-392-5583

nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

Monday, November 4, 2024

November Newsletter

 November 2024 Newsletter





November 2024
Hello Blanketeers,
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you !!!!
We are very “ Thankful” for all of our truly generous Blanketeers for their generosity and continued support as well as the many quilt shops, stores and individuals that take in blankets for our organizations. When we say that it takes a “ Village”, we really mean it. Your support allows our organization to deliver between 200-300 new handmade blankets a month.
 During these next few months we usually receive requests for large amount of blankets from several agencies. We ask that if you have blankets that you haven’t taken to a drop off location yet, to please do so. Our blankets not only bring comfort but also warmth to many children in need.  
REMINDERS:  
- If there are any groups that are interested in making fleece blankets as a Service project, please contact me so that I can email you directions for single layer fleece blankets.
1-814-392-5583
Odds and Ends
·       If you have pets in your home, please check your blankets before you donate them for animal fur. Due to children’s allergies, we ask that you launder them with unscented detergent and fabric softeners. This is greatly appreciated.
·       We are still need of baby size blankets at this time.
 
Monthly meetings
                             
November 21ST       -       Doug Yaple Vacuum             1815 E. 38th Street         10:00-2:00
 
Looking Ahead:
 
February 15th, 2025-  National Make a Blanket Day
August 12th, 2025        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
  1-814-392-5583
nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com

NWPA Project Linus    FaceBook
nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com