Fourth Quarter 2025 Newsletter
- projectlinusofwnc
- Jan 5
- 6 min read
CHAPTER COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE
My goodness, 2026 has arrived. I feel like I am reading a book and it is time to turn the page to the next chapter and discover what is happening.
We had a lovely Volunteer Appreciation event in October as you will see from the pictures. Another fun gathering was our December work session that was preceded by a yummy potluck lunch. I hope that more of you will make plans to join us for these occasions.
Our work session is still on the first Wednesday of the month at the Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden. We meet from 1:00-3:00ish. This is where we process all the donations that have been collected and get them ready for distribution.
Have you ever wondered when donating to an organization how much money goes to the mission and how much goes into overhead? Happily, I can assure you that the majority donated to Project Linus goes toward the mission of providing blankets to children who are seriously ill or going through some type of trauma.
CHARITY NAVIGATOR is a non-profit organization who polices non-profits. They help donors make an informed decision by evaluating charitable organization based on their financial health and accountability. Project Linus was given a 4-star rating, the highest rating one can receive, and their overhead is at a minimum and they excelled in all categories.
It’s that time of the year when we start to think about taxes and as a reminder if you wish to receive an in-kind-tax receipt it is necessary to request one as they aren’t automatically sent out. You can call me at 828-645-8800 or 828-213-9490 or email at gknoefel@charter.net.
We have a new contact person in Yancey County, a big welcome to Barbara Przybylski and thanks to outgoing Vickie Fox for helping these past years.
BLANKET SIZES
I am sorry for any confusion that I might have caused last quarter when I was talking about blanket sizes, and I will try to clarify. Of course, we still need small blankets but not in large quantities. We also prefer if they are no smaller than the 35”x 45” the same size we like for the small sizes. Little ones grow so quickly that even if a blanket goes to a newborn, we hope that child will soon need this larger size.
Small: 35” x 45” and up
Medium: 40” x 50” and up
Large: 45” x 60” and up
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PROJECT LINUS
December 24 is the 30th birthday of PL, having begun in Colorado on this date. To celebrate this occasion our national office spent hours working with the patent holder of Peanuts to get them to agree to a new T shirt that would signify this achievement. The picture shows you the two final products that you can order from the national store. These will only be available for several months so if you are interested go to projectlinus.org and click on store. Happy shopping!
Another event planned is A VIRTUAL BLANKET SHOW/CHALLENGE and is a fundraiser for National. There are times that we fail to recognize the expense that they must go to keep all the chapters running. Registration begins on January 17th. The first 50 submissions that meet the requirements will be accepted. The suggested theme is “Celebrating 30 Years”. Voting will begin on February 9th with votes costing $1.00 with a $10.00 minimum. You can spread your votes around meaning that all ten dollars doesn’t have to be on one blanket.
Rules: one submission per person
blankets must be 40”x 40” up to 55” x 60”
blankets can be quilts or afghans (no fleece)
There will be some great prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
For more information go to the website at projectlinus.org.
THANK YOU NOTES
It has taken me years to send this email, not because it has skipped my mind, but every time I start writing this my daughter is usually sick and grabbing her blanket. In 2022 my daughter was diagnosed with PANDAS after a trip to the pediatric ER at Mission. This was one of the most traumatic events either of us have had, as she was jerking and growling uncontrollably. The NA who brought us back was one the most compassionate souls, and she made sure to get Zoe to a safe location quickly where she wouldn’t become a spectacle. She left and returned with a blanket from your chapter. Zoe has clung to the blanket with every flare up and every illness since. I wanted to say THANK YOU for providing comfort to strangers in the darkness of uncertainty. Your kindness will never be forgotten. Merry Christmas, I hope this season brings every bit of your heart’s delight.
Hello! I just wanted to give a heartfelt thank you for the beautiful blanket gifted to my child! Her 2nd grade class experienced the devastating loss of a classmate at just 7 years old last Friday. We also still have another beautiful crocheted blanket from when she had a minor procedure done a year and a half ago that she sleeps with at night. Thank you to Mariam Howell and everyone else who creates these comforting works of art. May your kindnesses be returned to you tenfold. Thank you, Lauren Burnette
RUMMAGE SALE
Yes, you read that right, we are gearing up for our third annual sale, and we need each of you to help us out. The dates are April 17 and 18, a change from last year as this will be a two-day event. Drop off will be on Thursday the 16th in the morning. It will once again be held at the First Congregational Church in Hendersonville (1735 5th Avenue W). We are going to need help from each of you and if you speak to someone who has worked on this in the past, they will tell you what fun it is. Please start collecting those unwanted and never used treasures that you have in closets, cabinets, basements, attics etc. No clothing, electronics or heavy items. Items need to be reasonable priced, and we ask for you to do this before dropping off. Romella Hart O’Keefe is once again our leader in this endeavor, if you have any questions pass them on to me and I see that Romella comes up with the answer.
BOOKS FOR GOOD
I realize that there are some that aren’t aware of this wonderful bookstore located in Fletcher that works with non-profits. You take your used books to them, let them know that they are for Project Linus and when they are sold some of the sales come back to us. They have been a very generous supporter of our chapter since the beginning (2013). They are located at 50 Heritage Park Drive and although well hidden it is worth your while to search them out. They are open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 12-5 and Saturday 10-2. They prefer newer books (less than two years and paperbacks but if you plan to bring more, they want only one Ingles box at a time.
FOURTH QUARTER STATISTICS
In Out
October 207 266
November 314 295
December 332 271
TOTAL: 853 832
With these numbers our chapter has now distributed 101,717 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 Ennis Julian 702-499-3567 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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