OLYMPIA- The Washington State Senate today passed Senate Resolution 8646, honoring the participants of Project Linus, a national organization that provides handmade blankets to seriously ill and traumatized children.
Formed in 1995, Project Linus gained national notoriety in the wake of the Columbine High School shooting when organizers founded National Make a Blanket Day, sending handmade blankets to local chapters in Denver. With 11 chapters in Washington state, local blanketeers create, collect and distribute thousands of blankets to children in need every year.
“The simple gesture of providing blankets made with love to children diagnosed with severe illnesses so often brings a moment of peace in the face of pain,” said sponsor of the resolution, Sen. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, whose wife, Charlene, is a chapter member. “I commend Project Linus and every blanketeer for their compassion and heartfelt efforts to help kids in need. Thank you.”
Having grown to 296 chapters in all 50 states, Project Linus also provides blankets to homeless shelters and social service agencies and, as the organization often says, ”anywhere a child might be in need.”
“We applaud the Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap and Mason Counties Chapter of Project Linus for their efforts to deliver over 3,000 blankets in Western Washington,” said Project Linus National President Patty Gregory. “Our volunteers make our organization, they are amazing and a constant reminder that this is about so much more than blankets. It’s about people.”
National Make a Blanket Day is designated as the third Saturday in February.
