Volunteers make Project Linus a success

Diane Campbell put out the call, and the community responded.

Three times a year, the Snohomish County chapter of Project Linus hosts a “Make-A-Blanket Day” throughout the region where members and the public are invited to help make blankets and quilts that are donated to children from birth to 18 who are seriously ill, in distress, or otherwise in need.

On Sunday afternoon, Campbell, the Snohomish County chapter coordinator, and about 34 members and volunteers filled the Point Elliott room at Rosehill Community Center with sewing machines, fabrics, threads, needles, and almost every other sewing accessory.

It was the first time Rosehill hosted “Make-A-Blanket Day,” and based on its success, Campbell hopes it won’t be the last.

“Hopefully, we’ll be back next year.”

Volunteers made about 40 blankets and quilts; other blankets and quilts were in various stages of completion and will be worked on by members in the coming months. While many regulars attended Sunday, the event also drew several newcomers.
“We always get new people who check us out, and we hope they want to come back and help out the next time,” Campbell said.

Kelly Marshall of Bothell previously donated some quilts she made at a Project Linus drop-off bin. She was able to make time in her schedule to attend an in-person event for the first time.

“It’s such a good organization, providing for the needs of children,” Marshall said. “It’s such a wonderful cause. I’m happy to be here and to do something I love.”

Marshall made five quilts/blankets.

“I love to quilt. I’m retiring this year so I’m looking for something to do with all my fabrics.” Carolyn Carter of Mukilteo heard about the Project Linus event through a friend. Carter and two friends, who do water aerobics at the Mukilteo Family YMCA, decided to donate their time and sewing skills for the five-hour event on Sunday.

“I’ve wanted to get involved with something like this,” Carter said. “This was fun. You meet all kinds of fun people.”

Carter also finished five blankets/quilts.

“I’m going to come back,” said Carter, adding that she planned to ask if there was some homework she could help with.

Campbell noted that some people prefer to sew at home and bring their finished blankets to the chapter’s drop-off locations. The Snohomish County chapter meets monthly at Rosehill, generally from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month, though the schedule changes during the holidays. The chapter produces more than 2,000 blankets each year; nationally, Project Linus has distributed more than 10 million blankets since 1995.

The blankets go to different organizations throughout Snohomish County. The organizations focus on grief, disabilities, the military, foster care, domestic violence, sexual abuse, homelessness, and traumatic events.

For more information about Project Linus: projectlinus.org