One of the biggest surprises – and announcements – from Mayor Tom Henry’s State of the City address had little to do with city government at all.Five scrapbooks filled with thank-you notes, brightly colored crayon drawings and photos of children clutching blankets rest on the shelf at the headquarters of the Fort Wayne/Northeast Indiana Chapter of Project Linus.
Each scrapbook represents a year for the organization whose volunteers craft blankets that are handed to children who suffer from illness or emotional trauma.
Today is the fifth anniversary for the group, which has given more than “15,000 hugs” in the form of blankets to children throughout northeast Indiana.
“We call it a ‘hug’ because they can wrap it around them,” Peggy Albertson, 53, the chapter coordinator and founder, said during an open house at the headquarters Saturday.
Albertson admits she still becomes emotional about the children the group has helped.
Thumbing through the scrapbooks, Albertson points to a red snowman, a young boy clutching a leopard-print blanket and another even younger child who was so traumatized by a fire that consumed his family’s home that he couldn’t look at the camera when the photograph was taken.
The boy, who was about 4 at the time, simply sat cradling his hands, staring at the bright blanket covered with animal shapes.
“They need something to hold onto,” Albertson said.
The blankets come in all types – from quilted to crocheted to no-sew fleece – and all are new because many go to sick children whose health is already compromised, Albertson said.
About seven to 10 volunteers meet on Mondays and Thursdays at the group’s headquarters, which is housed in the former parsonage at Salem United Church of Christ. The parsonage contains cutting tables, a sewing room and another room where blankets are sorted before they are labeled with the Project Linus mascot – the familiar “Peanuts” character who always clutched his security blanket.
Including blankets made by volunteers at the headquarters as well as new blankets made off-site and donated to the group, Albertson said 300 to 500 blankets a month are distributed to hospitals and other organizations.
Despite the impressive number of blankets the group’s volunteers have made, Albertson said there aren’t enough to meet the needs of northeast Indiana’s children.
“I could deliver blankets every day and not fill the need,” Albertson said.
Now, as the economy has worsened, Albertson said donations are down and she fears she may see an increase in demand as the strain is felt by area families.
“I’m praying that I don’t,” Albertson said.
While Albertson greeted visitors, new volunteer Lisa Clements, 44, enjoyed a piece of cake with a friend.
During her three weeks as a volunteer, Clements said she has cross-stitched about four pieces featuring bears in costumes that will someday become part of a quilt.
“It’s been fun,” Clements said. “The fellowship is wonderful.”
