Fourth Quarter Newsletter, December 2017
CHAPTER COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE
Another year is history, now we must focus on all the happenings for 2018. My wish to each of you is that this will be a healthy and peaceful year for you and your family. Year 2017 was our best yet and I owe that to you. We had many fun and good times while providing that blanket “hug”. We gave out our largest number of blankets, 4,901, to the children in WNC. In the 20 years of Project Linus in this area our total number of blankets distributed is 65,051, an incredible accomplishment. However, the need continues to grow so we will have to keep those blankets coming. Reach out to your neighbors, friends, and family to join our list of “blanketeers” and to share in the love we experience. We will need to give out ONLY 4,949 blankets in 2018 to reach 70,000!!!!!
CAMP BOB
We have started to put aside large blankets for Camp Bob which will be delivered in July. This camp entertains children who have parents in the military and another group who have parents who are incarcerated. Many of these children come with very little so the camp has a clothes’ closet to help them with their needs. Another situation that they have is that many read well below their grade level and once again the camp plays a large part in helping with this, as they maintain a library and set aside time every day for reading. As you go about your daily routine if you come across some gently used clothes or some appropriate books keep Camp Bob in mind. The ages of the children are 7-17, no little ones. Books for Good have been generous in their donations of boxes of books that we can deliver to the children. Books for Good is the wonderful gem that sells books that have been donated by local non-profits and gives a % of the sale back to the non-profit. Project Linus has received almost $3,000 from them since they first opened three years ago. Please visit them and let them know how grateful we are for all they do for us. The more you purchase the more we receive. They are located at 50 Heritage Park Drive in Fletcher.
BLANKET SUPPLIES
With the financial support that we receive from Books for Good and other gracious donors we can help you with the supplies that you might need to make blankets. We will need to work out the logistics of getting what you need into your hands, but if you email or call me we will work it out.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY MAKE A BLANKET DAY
This will be the only newsletter that you will receive before the annual Buncombe County Make a Blanket Day. It is scheduled for Saturday, March 17th at Eliada Home from 10:00 until 2:00, so when you have finished reading this newsletter be sure and mark your calendar. The address is 2 Compton Street. If this is your first MABD you will have the opportunity to get together with fellow “blanketeers” and work on blanket projects. If you are a knitter or crocheter you might want to bring your own project. All supplies will be provided as well as snacks and a light lunch. You do not have to be a resident of Buncombe County to join in this fun day. If you have any questions, call Ennis Julian at 704-499-3567 or Ellen Knoefel at 828-645-8800.
WORRYING DOES NOT TAKE AWAY TOMORROW’S TROUBLES, IT TAKES AWAY TODAY’S PEACE.
NATIONAL FACTS
6,673,024 blankets have been delivered by Project Linus nationally since 1995. If 60% of these were fabric that would translate to 12,011,443 yards of fabric. If 40% were afghans it would translate to 21,353,676 skeins of yarn.
THANK YOU
We never expect a “thank you” for what we do; however, when we do receive a note it always gives us inspiration to do more. This note was received at the National Office and I think that it will touch the heart of all.
“Hello, I received one of your blankets from the hospital. I got it when I had a rape kit done shortly after a rape. I haven’t slept without it since. It makes me feel protected and strong. It reminds me of how far I have come in life and how something small can help anyone. Truth be told I fear the day that my blanket will be unusable. I don’t go anywhere without it and refuse to sleep unless I have it. According to my family I have slept much better at night and seem to be at ease when I have it with me. The blanket and the project are an amazing thing.”
There are times during the quarter that we email information between newsletters.
If you would like to be on our email list, send your request to Helen McConnell at:
jhmcconnell@bellsouth.net
As you know, each quarter I send out an in-kind tax receipt to all of those that have made a blanket or a donation during the quarter, along with a copy of the newsletter. If you do not need this receipt, please let me know and I will remove you from the list and save the stamp. I would encourage you to be on the email list so that you will still be able to read the newsletter.
COMPROMISE IS ALWAYS WRONG IF IT MEANS SACRIFICING A PRINCIPLE.
BLANKET DROP OFF SITES
Asheville:
A.C. Moore Craft Store
River Ridge Shopping Center
Hendersonville:
Grace Lutheran Church
1245 Sixth Avenue, West
Joann Fabrics
Blue Ridge Mall
1800 Four Seasons Blvd. (leave at the cutting counter)
Weaverville:
5 Little Monkeys Quilt & Sew
32 North Main Street
FOURTH QUARTER STATISTICS
In Out
October 387 418
November 285 292
December 448 399
4th Quarter Totals: 1,120 1,109
With these latest numbers. Our local chapter has now distributed 65,051 blankets!
Number of knitted dolls donated and distributed
this quarter: 102
Weighted blankets donated to date: 939
CONTACTS:
Chapter Coordinator
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Buncombe County Contact
Ennis Julian 702-499-3567
Cherokee, Clay, and Graham County Contact
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Haywood County Contact
Mariam Howell 828-456-5154
Henderson County Contact
Helen McConnell 828-890-3067
Jackson and Macon County Contact
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Madison County Contact
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Mitchell County Contact
Janet Jackson 661-319-8286
Transylvania County Contact
Pat Crawford 828-883-8746
Yancey County Contact
Asta Jeffcoat 828-682-4373