Supporting Project Linus – With 60 Hand-Made Blankets

On November 8^th, 2012, 35 blanketeers, amongst them Lions, spouses and friends of Lions, as well as 16 LEOs from Monta Vista and Lynbrook High schools gathered at the Odd Fellow Hall in Cupertino for a Linus Project Blanketeering evening. In less than 2 hours, almost 60 blankets were completed. They will be delivered to local children in need, as well as victims of hurricane “Sandy”. Please read Lion Leslye’s fun report (attached). For more information about Project LINUS, please visit their website (www.projectlinus.org).

Contributed by Lion Leslye Noone

Hello there Fellow Lions,

               In case you haven’t heard, we held a Blanketeering Party for Project Linus last Thursday, November 8^th!

               I am thrilled to report that we had 35 people in attendance. It was totally unexpected; I was hoping for 18! You all took my gentle nagging to heart and I was amazed and touched by your willingness to give up an evening at home to come and join us.

               Our evening began when Odd Fellow and Lion Don Lang met John and me at the Lodge promptly at 6:30. I was thrilled to walk in to a meeting hall already set up for us and ready for use.  Lions and Leos began arriving very soon after 6:30. As they entered, everyone was invited to choose a fleece from the 57 pieces we had waiting for them. (We had 5 already completed before we began-one purchased by the Lions and already made as a sample, 2 purchased by the Lions and already made by the Ratners and 2 more purchased and made by the Ratners. Thanks, Ellen and Steve.) The Coordinator of San Jose’s Chapter of Project Linus, Sharon, began her power point presentation about Project Linus just a bit after 7:00 during which she told us that most blankets made at the Blanketeering Parties are given to local children in need but that at least some of our blankets would be sent back to children who are victims of Hurricane Sandy.  She then gave us directions about making blankets and how to proceed. And we did!

               Lion Carl was the first to complete a blanket and received a special Project Linus Blanketeering pin (that I hope he will wear to the next PM meeting, hint, hint) but there were several blankets completed not long after his. Lion–in-law Nancy worked quietly in her corner and completed 3 before she left. We had eleven Leos from Monta Vista High and five from Lynbrook High; they spread out, chatted and laughed as they completed one blanket after the other. At about 8 o’clock, Sharon gathered all of our Blanketeers together for pictures with their blankets and I hope to submit some that we took for display on our Lions website before Christmas.

               Then, believe it or not, all of a sudden, we were done at about 9:10! It only took about an hour and forty-five minutes for our Clubs to make almost 60 blankets. I was shocked and amazed and, I must admit, completely tickled down to my toes and back up again!! The blankets were bagged and placed in Sharon’s minivan, the meeting hall was cleaned and tidied up, and the Leos were safely picked-up to be delivered home before 9:30—a  terrific ending to a very warm and cozy evening.

               Special thanks to Lion Don for helping us get the Odd Fellows Lodge for our use. And more thanks to Lions Dagi and Amy for supplying the munchies. And more thanks to Lion Hubby John for smiling through my bossiness. Biggest and best thanks go to Sharon and all of the participants, now officially called Blanketeers, who came out on the 8^th for a good cause and for a warm evening of fun and community.

~~~~Respectfully submitted by Lion Leslye Noone