El Paso Project Linus

Providing Security to Children One Blanket at a Time

CHAPTER NEWS FEBRUARY 2021

Greetings, Blanketeers! It's February 2021!!!
 
We did a blanket drop off this month - thanks to all who

dropped off blankets and who sent photos - 

 Great work, everyone!

Thank you for all the blankets that will be distributed.

Thru December of 2020 we have distributed 1,364 blankets!!!

For January and February we received and gave out 223 blankets. 

WE CAN DO BETTER !!!

We hit a milestone and reached 30,000 blankets - YAY FOR US!!!
 
Please join us at 8413 Moye Dr. to drop off blankets on Saturday

Mar 6, 2021 between 9:30 and  10:15 AM.    Bring your

blankets.  A lot of our members were really missed.  

Need more volunteers.    

Please join us and help more children.

Carl - we really miss you.

Now, due to Covid-19 we have made and distributed to the 

police and hospitals well over  700 masks if not more as well as 400+

ear savers.  Our first responders and and facilities are very grateful.  

Keeping everyone safe!!

NOTE to everyone:  As it stands right now we will probably not 

be able to hold our meeting in the church as, due to covid-19 

virus,  churches are closing until further notice.  We will be at 

8413 Moye Dr.  so you can drop off your hard work and pick 

up  new materials.  We will continue to take normal 

precautions and ensure that the blankets are delivered where 

they are needed.  If there are any additional changes you will 

be notified by email - so watch your email and spam.  See you 

on Mar 6.   Looking forward to seeing everyone again (soon we 

hope).

STAY SAFE!!!!!! 




More Hands on Deck, Please 
 
There are several areas in which the Chapter needs YOUR involvement to help or serve as a backup in case the current member is not available:
  • Greeters - offer a smile to new blanketeers and help them find a spot at a table with a more seasoned blanketeer; help ensure that everyone attending the meeting signs in
  • Hospitality - set up the goodie table and prep the coffee or iced tea
  • Delivery - load blankets in your vehicle and take them to one or more of the facilities where the blankets are donated
  • Kit Sign-out Table - keep track of quilt kits and yarn skeins signed out by blanketeers; check off names for blankets turned in
  • Publicity - manage the El Paso Project Linus Facebook page and get news out to local media
 
8-point Blanket Checklist
 
As a reminder to new and "seasoned" volunteers alike, please review the following points before you turn in a blanket:

  1. If your blanket is quilted, check all seams.  We get a lot of positive feedback from parents whose children really love their blankets, and we don't want the blankets to fray at the seams.
  2. Do you crochet or knit?  Please leave long tails to be woven in.  Do not make knots and then trim them, because these will come apart after a few washings.
  3. Please use the "Russian Join" when changing colors. Instructions can be obtained at this site or on YouTube.
  4. Cut all excess threads, and check to be sure all pins and needles have been removed.
  5. Wash your blanket and use unscented fabric softener or 1/3 of the recommended amount.
  6. Keep pets away from blankets.
  7. Labels will be sewn on at the meeting only.
  8. Last but not least - add an abundant amount of love and prayer.
 
Remember:
  • Goodies
  • Blankets
  • Share Table Items
 

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!!Notes of Gratitude!!
We are fortunate to have the support of Helen of Troy and thank them for including us in their community service efforts.
 
Thank you to Ms. Josephine Willard who very kindly donated 21 beautiful crochet blankets along with approximately 200 skeens of yarn.  This will make a lot more blankets for kids in the El Paso area.  Thanks again.
 
Goodies
Please remember to bring goodies if you can!  
 
Name Tags
Please wear your name tag at the meetings.  Feel free to create your very own.  To save our precious funds, paper name tags will be available to new members only.
 
PRIDE Center
A few months ago, we had a chance to learn about the PRIDE Center (Preparation and Resources for Independence through Determination with Excellence) from a representative of Child Protective Services.
 
The PRIDE Center is a comprehensive one-stop resource center here in El Paso that assists current and former youth in foster care between the ages of 16-25.  The goal of the Center is to help these young people work toward independence and self-sufficiency.  To learn more about the PRIDE Center, please see their website at: http://www.elpasohumanservices.org/pridecenter.
 
If you are interested in donating household goods, please contact the center at (915) 533-4200.  The PRIDE Center is located at 820 Montana St., El Paso, TX, 79902.
 
Teaching and Learning Opportunities
Some blanketeers have expressed an interest in learning new techniques in quilting, crochet, etc.  If there is something new you would like to learn or teach the group, please let Lupe, Denise, Pat B., or Sara know. We will try to set up a schedule and teach something new at the meetings.