Second Quarter Newsletter, June 2022
CHAPTER COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE, Ellen Knoefel
HOT, cool, wet, dry, humid, comfortable this is our ever-changing weather. I am not a meteorologist, but I know that there is constant change here in the mountains. Yes, we are blessed to live here. There is one thing that is steady and that is my appreciation for each of you and what you do for Project Linus. So many have had challenges to deal with over the past few years, but you have maintained your loyalty to Project Linus.
I am so delighted to be able to let you know that we have scheduled our long-awaited Volunteer Appreciation Event. Mark your calendar and plan to join August 10 for an ice cream social with treats from Howdy Homemade Ice Cream. It will be at the Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden from 2:00-4:00. Beside the delicious treats, we will have games, craft sale, raffles, door prizes, party favors, well you get the idea, a fun afternoon. Terry from ISHARPENIT will be in attendance to sharpen your scissors or knives. There is a charge for this so bring cash, check, or credit card. Your invitation will arrive by email soon, a RESERVATION is necessary. You can call or email me. The information will be included in the invite.
UVALDE TEXAS
I know that this small city has been in our hearts since that dreadful day in May. I wanted to let you know what Project Linus is doing to send love and support. Soon after this tragedy took place our National Office sent out a request for 4,300 blankets for each child in the school system and 725 extra-large blankets for teachers, administration, security guards bus drivers; anyone involved in this was and is suffering trauma. Although the mission of Project Linus is for children it was felt that all needed that extra hug. The request for the blankets was filled within 4 ½ hours, before our chapter had an opportunity to get involved. For this I am sorry, I want you to know what is happening. It was decided that the blankets would be given out on the first day back at school in August. The top administration from our National Office will be in Uvalde that day to personally hand out all the blankets, so feel good that PL is going to be involved.
THANK YOU NOTES
“Just wanted to send a note of thanks for the generosity of the Project Linus volunteers. I have two boys, and both have loved their blankets, both had tube surgery and one had an overnight stay at the hospital for RSV. They were both under two for all these events., The blankets were such a comfort and for the parents too. Thank you for your kindness and carefully crafted security blankets. They are very meaningful and appreciated.”
A THOUCHING MOMENT
This is a note shared by BJ Winchester one of our blanketeers. “I had recently buried by father in CA and just came back so that night I did not feel like cooking. My husband and I went out to a local restaurant and I was wearing my PL T-shirt. One of the workers immediately came over and told me how much he appreciated what we do. He explained that the prior weekend his daughter had a brain injury and went to the hospital, they did not know if she was going to make it. A blanket was given to her, and an MRI revealed that day that she would be fine. He told me she slept with that blanket and will not let it out other sight. He then proceeded to buy us dessert. When I asked him about the blanket and what it looked like I knew exactly which one it was. It was the one that I had turned in last month.”
EMAIL ADDRESSES
We are now communicating by email and realize that we lack quite a few of these addresses. If you know of someone who is not getting the newsletter, please let me know so that we can add this to our spreadsheet. Helen McConnell does a wonderful job sending out information, but if we do not have your address, you are not going to receive it.
CRAFTS
Join in the fun of making and providing craft items for the Volunteer Appreciation Event. The sale of these items helps us with our expenses during the year. Put your creative talents to use and let us offer them to those in attendance. You can bring them to one of our workday sessions, the first Wednesday of the month at the Lutheran Church of the Nativity or give them to someone who will be attending. If this creates a hardship you can bring them with you on August 10th.
BLANKET DROP-OFF SITES
Asheville:
JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store
80 S Tunnel Road
Asheville Cotton Company
1378 Hendersonville Road STE B
Hendersonville:
Grace Lutheran Church
1245 Sixth Avenue West
JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store
Blue Ridge Mall Shopping Center
Sheridan Kay Quilting
1680 Spartanburg Highway
Weaverville:
5 Little Monkeys Quilt and Sew
32 North Main Street
SECOND QUARTER STATISTICS
In Out
April 507 464
May 268 361
June 369 369
Second Quarter Totals 1,144 1,194
With these latest numbers our chapter has now distributed 85,901 blankets!
Number of knitted dolls and stuffed animals donated and distributed this quarter: 183
Weighted blankets donated to date: 1,370
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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
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
Helen McConnell 828-779-0361
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
Vicki Fox 828-680-9167
DO NOT JUDGE BY APPEARANCE, A RICH HEART MIGHT BE UNDER IN A POOR COAT.