Today there

are over 300 local chapters of Project Linus and as of January 2002 over

400,000 blankets had been donated to seriously ill or traumatized children

across the world. In the aftermath of Sept 11. over 10,000 blankets were

given to children affected by the tragedy in some manner.

While in California

Simpson happened upon an article regarding Project Linus and, as a long-time

crocheter, became interested. She soon joined the ranks of "blanketeers."

When she moved to Fayette County she found there were no representatives

in the area, and became, in her words, "the coordinator by default"

of a new chapter. The Fayette chapter was the first in Atlanta.

"I started

my chapter of Project Linus in January 1997, which was not easy, since

I didn't know anyone," she said. "But eventually word got around

through articles in publications such as Parade, Family Circle and Reader's

Digest. I wrote personal letters and made phone calls to various craft,

church, and service groups. I also have had a table at craft or community

fairs or spoken at group meetings. Newspaper notices or articles in local

papers have caught the eye of individuals, some of whom have made over

100 blankets since then."

Business is

picking up, with an average of just over 100 blankets per quarter, or

about 30-35 a month. "The number is slowly climbing, which is a good

thing, because I never have enough to deliver to all the places that need

them," she said.

Since taking

on the challenge she has been joined by numerous volunteers who knit,

crochet, quilt or sew handmade blankets. Blankets of all sizes have been

donated to children in the Atlanta area ranging from newborn to age 18.

Local blanketeers

are always open to donations of yarn and other blanket making materials.

Sadly, the number of children needing blankets continues to grow, thus

new blanketeers are welcome. For more information regarding the local

chapter of Project Linus contact Judy Simpson at 770-716-9968. For information

regarding the nonprofit organization visit its Web site at https://www.projectlinus.org/.

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