RADFORD – The New River Valley chapter of Project Linus is commemorating 25 years of giving comfort to children in traumatic situations with homemade blankets and quilts.
The Project Linus Blanket Day and Volunteer Appreciation Event will be held Saturday, June 14, 2025, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Grove United Methodist Church, 1020 Tyler Ave, Radford.
Come help make new blankets for local children. Light refreshments will be provided in celebration of 25 years of New River Valley-Radford Project Linus.
Attendees can drop off completed blankets, sew tags on completed blankets, make new blankets (some fabric provided and you are welcome to bring your own) or work on a blanket project that you’ve already started in the company of friends.
NRV-Radford Project Linus accepts new handmade washable quilts, blankets, crochet and knit afghans. No wool yarn permitted. Fleece blankets must be single layer without knots. A pattern available at www.nrvprojectlinus.org.
According to the NRV-Radford Project Linus website, blankets are distributed “to a variety of locations in the New River Valley.” “Sheriff’s Departments and local police departments carry blankets with them to provide comfort to children in crises situations. Fire departments have blankets to distribute in times of need. Social services distributes blankets to children who have to be relocated on an emergency basis. Local hospitals distribute blankets to children who have received outpatient surgical departments. Blankets are given to children who have parents deployed in the line of duty. We also contribute to national disasters, such as hurricanes, fires, and other emergency situations when many children are affected. In addition to responding to emergency situations, we also make weighted blankets (upon request) for children in need.”
Requirements of a blanket include:
Blankets need to be “homemade.”
“When we say “homemade”, we mean something that is not commercially manufactured or purchased,” the website states. “Of course, home sewing machines, knitting machines, etc. are fine. It has always been the mission of Project Linus to donate only new handmade blankets. We receive thousands of letters and thank you notes every year from children.”
“Project Linus blankets must be of excellent quality and free from contaminants. Special care should be taken to ensure that blankets are free of smoky smells or any chemicals which could cause problems for a child. Ensure that blankets are free of pet or animal hair. Hospitals will not accept these blankets, and they will most likely be discarded. Recent studies show that laundering these blankets does not remove contamination, and in some cases can even make it worse. Always check blankets carefully for pins and remove any embellishments such as buttons that could be swallowed.”
The majority of Project Linus blankets are about 40 inches by 60 inches, or what is called ‘crib size’. Blankets can be as large as twin size for teens.
