The Lions Love “Project LINUS”

It was the De Anza Lions’ Blanketeering Night #9 and it was a happy success. The sense of community service, fun and even a little competitive spirit was in the air. We started the evening as Leslye read a little bit about Project Linus to the group, including its Mission Statement, simply stated: to provide comfort to children in need and to provide the volunteers a rewarding opportunity for the benefit of children. With that in mind, the group launched in and fulfilled the mission of the evening, completing 53 blankets in about 2 hours.

We were lucky enough to have Lions and their better halves in attendance along with other relatives, community members, Leos and Girl Scouts with some of their family members. In total there were 18 adults, 2 teens and 10 children participating. Some blanketeers chose to trim, cut and tie their blankets all on their own while others took advantage of the little ones on hand and called for their nimble-fingered assistance when it was time to tie knots. The competition seemed to pick up as each cowbell sounded signaling that another completed “blankie” had just been added to the stacks. The young-uns seemed to ramp up their tying speed in order to be the next one to ring the bell. The oldies-but-goodies did get into the spirit of the evening, however, as they too took pride in scooting up front to ring their own chimes.

Yes, it was spirited and light-hearted and important work we participated in that Blanketeering Night #9. The children learned a little bit more about sharing and caring while the adults (who are just big children at heart) did the same, satisfied that they did indeed experience a rewarding opportunity for the benefits of children in need and proud to have been a part of this bit of community service provided by the work done by our own De Anza Lions.

Contributed by Leslye Noone