First Quarter Newsletter 2026
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
CHAPTER COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE
Spring is in the air, but mother nature has given us a run for our money this first quarter of 2026, be it cold or hot temperatures, ice, snow, rain (not enough). This is why we love WNC and choose to put up with daily changes. There isn’t anywhere I would rather be and feel blessed to here. In my 20 plus years of leading this chapter, February was the first time that I found it necessary to cancel a work session due to the weather, while this wasn’t a real problem it meant the March session was overwhelming, The dedicated workers who showed up were absolutely amazing knocking out a huge number of donations (over 400) in record breaking time. I do think that everyone there must have crawled home and straight to bed, maybe taking time for a drink.
Busy times are ahead for WNC Project Linus with the first big event being the rummage sale, details are in the attached flier. I do hope that you have been collecting your items to donate and pricing them reasonably. If you are unable to drop off your items on Thursday April 16 please let us know and we will make other arrangements for you. If you have any questions direct those to Romella 828-890-4889 as she is our chief in the endeavor. This year it is a two-day event plus a day of setting up. We would love to have you join us in one of our many shifts. Let Romella or myself (Ellen) know what works for you.
Our second event is our Make a Blanket Day being held on June 6 and again a flier is attached with the details. This is always a fun and favorite event for so many and since lunch is to be provided, we do need a reservation. This is the only newsletter that you will receive before that date so make your calendar and be sure to RSVP.
Janet Stewart and I wish to thank those of you who cast votes for our entries into the national virtual blanket challenge. I am so delighted to be able to tell you that Janet came in second place with her crayon quilt raising more than $500 and we are so proud of her! All three challenge winners were quilts.
KUDOS TO PAT
Pat Crawford is our contact person for Transylvania County and does a wonderful job of working with groups of young people in that area. She is not only spreading the work of Project Linus, but she is introducing the kids to the gift of volunteering. It is never too early to learn that giving a little of oneself in helping someone else comes back to you full force. What better way than making a blanket that will go to someone your age. Thanks, Pat.
If you would like to work with a group, be it scouts, classrooms, Sunday schools, reach out and let us know and we will see that you are provided with supplies.
FABRIC
One of the perks of coming to our monthly work session is that we always have a freebie table. Granted we are never sure what is going to appear on that table but there is usually yarn, fabric and surprises. We have recently received a large and beautiful donation of fabric. I know that work sessions don’t work for all and that is perfectly fine, but I would like to find a way to get fabric for those of you who are making quilts for Project Linus and would like some fabric. Reach out to me and let’s work on getting this to you.
THANK YOU NOTE
Good afternoon - My son is currently in Mission Peds and has received one of the beautiful blankets your group had made and we just wanted to say thank you so much. We truly appreciate it and it means a lot.
“YOU CANNOT DO A KINDNESS TOO SOON, FOR YOU NEVER KNOW HOW SOON IT WILL BE TOO LATE. Ralph Waldo Emerson
FIRST QUARTER STATISTICS
In Out
January 216 309
February 126 65
March 461 411
TOTAL: 803 785
With these numbers our chapter has now distributed 102,502 blankets
BLANKET DROP-OFF SITES
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ASHEVILLE:
Asheville Cotton Company 1378 Hendersonville Rd STE B HENDERSONVILLE:
Beginnings Quilt Shop 1038C Greenville Hwy
FLETCHER:
Foam and Fabric 3049 Hendersonville Rd
Grace Lutheran Church 1245 Sixth Ave West WEAVERVILLE:
5 Little Monkeys Quilt and Sew Entrance is on Florida Ave. Enter at Fresh Aire Fri & Sat 10:30-5:30 Purple Bobbin 1680 Spartanburg Hwy |
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COUNTY CONTACTS
Chapter Coordinator
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Buncombe County Janet Stewart 828-575-9195 Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800 Haywood County Mariam Howell 828-456-5154 Henderson County Vivian Andrews 224-558-4792 Jackson and Macon Counties Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800 | Madison County Nancy Fish 828-768-1344 McDowell County Mary Ledbetter maryledbetter@hotmail.com
Mitchell County Janet Jackson 661-319-8286 Transylvania County Pat Crawford 828-883-8746 Yancy County Barbara Przybylski 828-284-0209 |
Attn: Ellen Knoefel 10 Highland Pointe Drive
Weaverville, NC 28787
Phone (home) 828-645-8800
(cell) 828-231-9490
Email: gknoefel@charter.net
Website: www.projectlinusofwnc.org
Newsletter editor: Laura Moore
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