Little Heroes: Project Linus

We had a small Little Heroes gathering today,  but we managed to be productive and are proud of what we ended up with.  This project is worth a look in your area because they have chapters all around the country.  It's a really great way to do something for others and you can make it as simple or as complicated as you want to:

PROJECT LINUS

Their mission statement is: 

• First:  Provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
• Second:  Provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

Our group set a time and meeting place and agreed to purchase our own materials and bring them to the meeting.  We planned to make the blankets with the kids there and possibly drop them off together.  As we were working, most of the kids quickly lost interest in actually helping and sort of hung around and played.  Personally I think it's all worthwhile, even if the kids don't seem to be interested.  I believe strongly that providing a model and frequently attempting stuff like this with and around your kids is a great way to pass the message along to them.  It sinks in, even if it doesn't seem like it is at the time.  That said, we feel compelled to make the "drop off" experience memorable for them so they can make the connection between going to the store, using our own money to buy materials, taking the time to make something for a person in need and then delivering the goods ourselves.   So, one of the group moms, Maggie is going to do some research and find out if there is a hospital or shelter in the area that would take a donation from us if we aren't associated with a specific organization.  If not, we will take them to the Project Linus drop off location with the kids and just talk it all up a bit.

We all opted to make a simple, no-sew fleece blanket but you can do almost anything as long as it's clean and in good shape.  I went to JoAnn's and headed straight for the remnants bin, found a couple of great pieces (enough for a crib sized blanket and a small "lovey" type) for only $6 and that's honestly all I needed besides a pair of good scissors.  I based my blanket off of a pattern from a book called Crafty Mama but just ended up winging it.  It's really easy to find a pattern online if you feel  more comfortable working in measurements, but it's also easy to look at the pattern once to get the idea and never look at it again.

If you are in the area and would like to join us for the rest of this project (and/or any future projects), please let me know and  I can keep you posted about when and where we plan to deliver our blankets.  You can make a blanket on your own time and join us when we drop them off together.

Zoe started out strong, but faded fast...

Emily and Sammy working together...

Most of today's small but dedicated crew.

I decided to let Zoe "design" her own blanket...which she thankfully decided on her own to keep at the house

Working together to finish up the last one!