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Community Corner

Windsor Group Provides Warmth One Blanket at a Time

A neighborhood group makes blankets for babies, kids and adults in need.

No matter how old you are, there is nothing more comforting than wrapping up in a blanket after a tough day. That's the concept behind Project Linus — to donate handmade blankets to babies, children and even adults, providing them with a sense of love, security and warmth as they battle through trauma or illness.

Project Linus, a national, non-profit organization, started in 1995. Sue Ellen Hewitt heard about it while visiting West Virginia and brought the idea back to the ladies of Windsor's River Town Village community in September 2009. "We wanted to do something useful," says Hewitt, and they have. In less than 18 months, the nine "blanketeers" have snipped, clipped, stitched, quilted, knitted and crocheted over 160 colorful blankets.

The blankets will evenutally find their way to a local police or fire department to be distributed to those (mostly children) who have recently suffered from trauma, such as a house fire. The blankets are also given to those in shelters for women and children.

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Hewitt, the group leader, has already delivered 110 blankets to the pickup spot at Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts in Manchester over the past year and now there are 51 ready to go in the Hewitt's basement recreation room with a few more just getting their finishing touches.

The River Town Village Linus Ladies meet the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month in Hewitt's rec room for two hours to pick up fabric, drop off blankets and work on their projects. The room is set up with two large folding tables elevated to counter height for pinning and cutting the blankets, a sitting area for convivial working, plus two camouflaged twin beds.

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Guests will find it difficult to sleep on either of the beds. The first is piled with donated fabric pieces of fleece and flannel. The second is hidden by the completed blankets waiting for transport. 

The group receives donations of fabric, yarn  and funds for the blankets and can't resist a fleece sale at Jo-Ann's. To donate or start you own Linus group you can contact the chapter coordinator.

The materials for the blankets must be hypo-allergenic and washable. Even the carefully stitched quilts and knitted afghans are machine washable and dry-able so that the recipients can enjoy their blankets without worry.

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