Oneota Co-op shoppers are invited to “Round Up at the Register” for Project Linus of Northeast Iowa from Monday, Jan. 9 through Monday, Jan. 23. This national nonprofit organization has a two-fold mission, notes Chapter Coordinator Elise Skellenger of Decorah. “First: to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need through gifts of new, handmade blankets, lovingly created by our ‘blanketeers.’ Second: to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.”
Wrapping Area Youth in Blankets: Project Linus of Northeast Iowa
Local chapter welcomes volunteers, youth groups to create handmade blankets; teen sizes are especially welcome
By Tanya O’Connor
The inspiration for Project Linus was born in Denver, Colo. on Christmas Eve, 1995. That evening, Karen Loucks read a story in Parade magazine. Its author was photojournalist Eddie Adams (most notably known for capturing the Pulitzer Prize winning photograph documenting the execution of Viet Cong prisoner Nguyen Van Lem in 1968 Saigon). Adams’ career was one of shaping how the world views wars, politicians, celebrities and the circumstances of everyday human life. The story Karen Loucks picked up that Christmas Eve was the latter.
Adams wrote of a child with leukemia named Laura. Three-year-old Laura owned a special “blankie” for comfort during her chemotherapy treatments. Adams observed that Laura conveyed an unusual compassion for others. Laura’s mother said her child was happy – joyous in fact. Laura’s father believed that the blanket was key to Laura’s survival. Loucks was moved and she began sewing; she donated her first blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center and Project Linus was born.
Today, every U.S. state has at least one Project Linus chapter. Iowa has four, one of which is Project Linus of Northeast Iowa. Learn more about Project Linus – and how you may participate – from Chapter Coordinator Elise Skellenger is this Co-op Q&A:
Oneota Co-op: Tell us about the founding of our Project Linus chapter? What area does it serve?
Skellenger: Our chapter was started in 2019 by Anna Runestad. Around that same time I was looking for a way to get involved with a charity using my hobbies of knitting and sewing. Anna asked if I would help her get the chapter off the ground and together we started gathering donated blankets and finding partner organizations to help us distribute. When her family was relocated in 2020, she asked if I would take over the chapter so it wouldn’t have to close and I agreed. We distribute blankets to the six counties of NE Iowa, but primarily in Allamakee, Howard and Winneshiek.
Oneota Co-op: Could you please speak to the level of need for this service in our area?
Skellenger: Since our chapter opened in 2019 we have distributed over 450 blankets to kids in our area! There is a large need and we provide blankets to kids aged birth through 18. My “blanketeers” keep me well stocked; I have been able to meet all requests for blankets since our chapter opened. All blankets donated are delivered to local children, with the exception of a few unique situations. The school shooting last May in Uvalde, Texas was one of them. Their chapter wasn’t able to fill the need. Our national headquarters sent a call to chapters around the country for extra blankets. Project Linus of Northeast Iowa was able to send 50 blankets so that every child had a blanket sitting on their desk on the first day of school.
Oneota Co-op: Elise – could you tell us how Project Linus has personally impacted you?
Skellenger: I have been to many different clubs, organizations and groups to present on Project Linus and I always start my talk with the same question: ‘Raise your hand if you (or a younger sibling, or your children, or grandchildren) have/had a blanket or stuffed animal that you slept with every night.’ Everyone raises their hands – whether I’m talking to a group of young children or a group of adults.
This is always so rewarding to see. It shows that all of us understand the comfort that a blanket can bring. So – imagine how much more comfort it can bring to a child who is going through a tough situation. We work with a few local hospitals, fire departments, foster care groups, etc. to find kids that are really having a hard time. I was presenting at a Girl Scout troop meeting a few weeks ago and a few of the girls had been recipients of blankets when they were ill and hospitalized when younger. The impact of Project Linus came full circle when these Scouts were able to tie up fleece blankets for other children. It was very sweet.
Oneota Co-op: A person says: “I’d love to get involved in Project Linus! What are my options?”
Skellenger: Make a new, handmade blanket! Your blanket can be knit, crochet, sewn, tied, quilted, etc. About the smallest blanket size we take is 36″x36″ and from there we accept sizes all the way up to young adult. Bright, fun, kid-friendly patterns are lovely. Follow us on Facebook for updates and email eliseandemerald@gmail.com if you want to be added to the newsletter. Completed blankets can be dropped off at Harman Realty, Red-Roxy Quilt Co., or Blue Heron Knittery – all in Decorah.
Oneota Co-op: A person says: “I’m able to donate financially; how do I know the impact of my dollars?”
Skellenger: A donation of $20 will make a single layer fleece blanket.
A donation of $25 will purchase two packages of baby blanket batting.
A donation of $40 will purchase yarn for an afghan.
A donation of $50 will purchase fabric for a quilt top.
A donation of $60 will pay to send a box of blankets to children impacted by a natural disaster.
A donation of $75 will pay for a complete quilt.
A donation of $100 provides up to five children with a blanket.
A donation of $150 will purchase a large roll of batting (the middle of quilts).
Oneota Co-op: Are there Project Linus partnerships we should be aware of? Local events?
Skellenger: I am currently working with Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC). This began when I picked a child whose family utilized NEICAC from a holiday tree last year. She had asked for a blanket. I emailed NEICAC to let them know that all their kids could receive Project Linus blankets. This effort amounted to over 400 blankets created in our six-county area. We’ve been working to support NEICAC efforts throughout the year; as of this writing I am dropping off another 75 blankets! We receive many smaller blankets, so teenager-sized blankets are especially appreciated.
This autumn I have worked with various youth groups and clubs on fleece blanket kit requests. Our chapter supplies the material and they supply the labor. This makes for a great service project. I am happy to supply other groups if they are interested.
Also: Save the date for Saturday, Feb. 18 2023. This will be Make a Blanket Day. Please watch our Facebook and local media for details closer to the date. Here is how to contact our local chapter: https://www.facebook.com/projectlinusneiowa
Elise Skellenger
eliseandemerald@gmail.com
563-380-1388
Oneota Co-op round up campaigns are intrinsically tied to the Co-op’s community service commitment as outlined in the Co-op Missions and Ends statement. Co-op shoppers are provided the opportunity to round up to the nearest dollar to support this organizational end, which reads as follows:
Oneota Community Co-op Organizational End number seven: “Our members are diverse and engaged, working together and sharing time, energy, and resources to build a resilient and thriving local community.”
