After a long night in the emergency room, Amber Reed’s son was given a Thomas the Tank Engine blanket as he was checked into a pediatric room.
The next morning, when Reed, an assistant professor of education at Indiana University Kokomo, asked if she needed to wash and return it, she was told no, it was a gift from Project Linus.
Project Linus is a national organization with a local chapter in Kokomo that provides blankets to local children up to 18 years old at hospitals.
Reed was touched by the gift to her son, who was hospitalized with dehydration due to the flu, and thought IU Kokomo students could help supply blankets.
On Nov. 3, the IU Kokomo American Democracy Project will hold its second blanket-making day, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Alumni Hall of the Kelley Student Center.
Sewing machines, patterns, yarn and other materials will be available to make blankets, or people may bring finished blankets or materials to make a blanket that day.
Reed said no skills are required to participate.
“We have materials for the most basic tie-off blankets,” she said. “The only thing you have to know is how to tie a knot. They can work in a group.”
In 2008, students and community participants made 179 blankets for the project. Many were made the day of the event, while people also brought blankets they’d completed earlier on their own time.
Reed said they hope to have at least 125 blankets to donate this year.
She said the Project Linus volunteers like to take December off for the holidays, so having this workshop helps them stock up for the time off.
The blankets are given to pediatric patients at Howard Regional Health System, St. Joseph Hospital and Tipton County Hospital. Reed said parents who have lost newborns also receive blankets.
“Those parents, when they leave, they feel very empty. It is something they have as an acknowledgment of their moment, in an attempt to comfort them and let them know people are thinking of them. I think that’s a part of what [Project Linus] does that not very many people know about.”
Project Linus welcomes blankets of all styles, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. Blankets must be new, handmade and washable.
For more information call Reed at 765-455-9234 or e-mail amblreed@iuk.edu.
• Danielle Rush is the Kokomo Tribune education reporter. She can be reached at 765-454-8585 or danielle.rush@kokomotribune.com.
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