Photo credit: crochetgal / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

If you’ve ever searched for a place to send your crocheted things that will do some good, this segment is for you. Today we’re going to take a look at one of the most popular crochet-related charities in the United States, Project Linus.

Project Linus got its start in 1995. That was the year that Parade Magazine ran an article about a three year old girl, Laura, who had spent more than two-thirds of her young life undergoing intensive chemotherapy. She had a special ‘blankie’ that she took with her every time she went to the hospital. After reading the article, Karen Louks felt inspired to begin providing homemade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center. In the eighteen years since then, Project Linus has provided nearly four million blankets to children in need.

Photo credit: hddod / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Though it began by providing blankets to young cancer patients, Project Linus has expanded to nearly any hospital, social service, shelter, or child left in need by disaster. Project Linus ‘blanketeers’ donated handmade blankets to children affected by 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the earthquakes in Haiti and the Japanese tsunami. If there is a disaster, you can bet that someone from Project Linus will be there, looking for children who need a blanket and a reminder that someone cares about them.

Project Linus will accept new, washable handmade afghans (knit or crochet), quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors and styles. All blankets must come from a smoke-free environment and be free of chemicals or strong odors.

Take a look! If you live in the United States, chances are good that there is a chapter or donation drop-off point in your area. If you would like to get involved with Project Linus, visit their website.