Third Quarter Newsletter, September 2022
CHAPTER COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE, Ellen Knoefel
Welcome beautiful Autumn. Mother Nature has shown us her wonderful side and a tragic side these past two weeks. Here in our beautiful mountains, we can look out at the slowly changing leaves and marvel at the beauty and understand why so many travel here to find the peace that is offered. One glance at the news coming in from Florida and we know right away that tragedy is at every turn. It is hard to gather our head around such destruction. It will be some time before things settle down enough to know where we would be able to send blankets. I am sure our Nation Office will keep us informed as to what the need might be. When I hear I will reach out.
It was wonderful having the opportunity of seeing so many of you at our ice cream social in August. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to make this a reality after our several years of isolation. It is special to be able to pick up with old friends as if it were yesterday.
Now it is time to think about the holidays and a reminder that as you pick out fabric for your next donation, please remember NO holiday patterns, these children need the blankets for year-round use.
CORPORATION MATCH
Apple Corporation offers its employees an opportunity to give back to their communities in the way of a monetary donation. Apple Benevity Volunteer Program is a nonprofit that will donate $25.00 an hour for every hour that the employee helps an organization. We have been blessed with BJ Winchester, one of our blanket makers who has taken advantage of this program. Her generosity in making blankets has had us receive over $3,000.00 from Apple. Is there someone else who works for a company that might offer this benefit?
BLANKET SPECIFICATIONS
Blankets must be new, washable, handmade, and child friendly. They must not contain any animal dander. Some of those that receive these blankets are in a compromised position and this could jeopardize their health. Love your pets as you should but be mindful about keeping them away from your blankets.
BLANKET INVENTORY
When you check the number of blankets that were given out this past quarter and compare it to the blankets available to distribute, you will understand why our inventory is low at this time. If you know of someone who might be interested in joining us in making blanket hugs, please let me know and I will be happy to send them some information.
THANK YOU NOTES
This is meant for each of you and never doubt how much your donation means.
“I’m writing this letter because of how much the kindness you showed during some of our hardest days. My 2-year-old granddaughter was hospitalized for pneumonia and running high fevers. Your blanket from the moment she saw it, wanted it, and loves it. After we came home, she still had to sleep with it, even though she had others. What you don’t know was that 1 hour before she was admitted to the hospital, we had to say goodbye to her 11-year-old brother. Their Dad and Mom had just walked him down to have his organs donated to save other lives. Then I got the call to meet them back at the hospital. When I saw the blanket, it meant so much because it reminded me of God’s Rainbow- his promise to never destroy us and be always with us. My granddaughter is doing well now, and her brother is walking with God. Your kindness really is appreciated. The blanket is beautiful and has touched our lives.”
NEW CONTACT PERSON
Helen McConnell has been our contact person for Henderson County for many years, she is stepping back, and we welcome Sue Swavely, who has agreed to take over this job. Many thanks for all Helen’s hard work and we are grateful that she has agreed to continue handling our emails. If she doesn’t have yours, please let me know and I will see that she gets your information. This is our main way of keeping in touch.
BOOKS FOR GOOD
This wonderful used bookstore located at 50 Heritage Park Drive in Fletcher will be holding their annual sale Thanksgiving weekend, Friday 11/25 (10-5) Saturday 11/26 (10-2). Please support them and thank them for all they do for us. We have received over $6,000.00 from them. When you take them your old books once they are sold, we receive a % of the sale.
BLANKET DROP OFF PLACES
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
THIRD QUARTER STATISTICS
In Out
July 333 337
August 368 415
September 308 313
Third Quarter Totals 1,009 1,065
With these latest numbers our chapter has now distributed 86,966 blankets!
Number of knitted dolls and stuffed animals donated and distributed this quarter: 143
Weighted blankets donated to date: 1,371
It’s never too early or too late to work towards being the healthiest you.
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
Sue Swavely 843-478-9090
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