Project Linus warming children's hearts throughout Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas--Anyone who is familiar with the “Peanuts” cartoon knows about Linus, the security blanket-toting child philosopher and theologian. His older sister, Lucy, may make fun of his blanket, but it has inspired the efforts of Project Linus, a real-life organization dedicated to providing blankets to children in need.

“We help children who are seriously ill or otherwise traumatized,” said Montgomery County chapter coordinator, Marc Layton.

Project Linus works with various agencies including Interfaith, Memorial Hermann and St. Luke’s in The Woodlands. Its members also provide blankets to Children’s Safe Harbor, Family Promise, Sunshine Kids and Arrow Child and Family Ministries.

Some of the blankets go to children with physical illnesses; others to children in abusive situations. The organization also works with Freedom Place, providing blankets to 10-16-year-olds who have been involved in sex trafficking.

The Montgomery County chapter headed by Layton is only a small part of Project Linus.

“We’re one part of a national organization,” said Layton. “We’ve only been here about four years.”

In that time frame, the chapter has grown from 10 regular members to 40, and it has donated nearly 8,000 blankets.

Many of the people who work with Project Linus volunteer their time on another’s behalf. In Layton’s case, she serves in honor of her brother.

“He was born with a very rare skin disorder, epidermolysis bullosa,” said Layton. “It had no elasticity. We couldn’t do much to help him, but I can help another child.”

Many chapters have to raise money not only for blanket construction and delivery, but also to rent spaces for meetings and storage. The Montgomery County chapter, however, is lucky enough to be able to use space for free.

“Faith United Methodist Church is on Rayford Road,” said Layton, “and they let us use part of a closet and a huge room. And they do not charge.”

The Montgomery County Project Linus chapter meets at the church once a month except for June, July and August. However, volunteers make blankets year-round.

“Volunteers are always welcome, even if they don’t sew,” said Layton.

At meetings, volunteers can fold blankets, measure to make sure that each blanket fits the organization’s size requirements, and fill out official Project Linus cards that go with each blanket. Finally, the blankets are wrapped with ribbons and prepared for delivery.

“After our May meeting, I thought I had about 200 blankets,” said Layton. This is typical: the chapter donates over 1,000 blankets per year.

“We can take any kind—free from pet hair and strong odors,” said Layton. “Fleece is the most asked-for. Because it’s soft and washes easily, it looks like new. We get some masterful quilts, too.”

Many of the people who make the blankets are not members of Project Linus but rather partnering organizations, including Girl Scouts, National Charity League, American Heritage Girls, church groups and school groups.

“Fifth-graders make and sew quilt blankets for us,” said Layton. “I’m very grateful that we have kids doing this.”

It teaches them a life lesson: not only to sew but also to give back to their community.

“One thing we’ve done this spring is partner with Conroe ISD,” said Layton. The chapter has begun to make weighted blankets and other weighted items to assist students with sensory processing challenges. The weighted blankets are filled with poly pellets, the same material used to fill bean bags.

“The school system works with between 800 and 900 students,” said Layton. “A company donated 200 pounds of poly pellets. We’ve used all of those pellets.”

Project Linus is a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization and is dependent on donations in order to purchase blanket-making materials such as quilt fabric, batting, thread, yarn, fleece and flannel. The average blanket costs between $25 and $60 to make.

Donors can give online by going to the Project Linus website and marking their donations for the Montgomery County, Texas chapter. They can also give in the form of a gift card to JoAnn’s or Walmart or by check payable to Project Linus.

Though the members of Project Linus do not interact with their beneficiaries directly, they sometimes receive letters.

“We don’t get to see the kids, but when they take the time to write, oh my goodness, it’s wonderful,” said Layton.

Layton shared a note from a parent of a recent blanket recipient.

“My son is hospitalized in Memorial Hermann,” she read. “We are going to go home today. He got your nice, beautiful handmade blanket, and it made him happy. I am writing this mail to thank you. We really appreciate you. Thank you.”