Project Linus gives new meaning to the term security blanket | Community Spirit

Community members gathered this morning to assemble blankets for sick children at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital.  The event is hosted on the third Tuesday of every month by Project Linus, a non-profit that makes and distributes hand-made blankets to the hospital pediatric ward.  Project Linus is named for the Peanuts' character who was known to never be without his security blanket.  Like its namesake, Project Linus uses the blankets to give sick children a sense of comfort in an otherwise upsetting situation. 

Kim Losand, a pediatric nurse at Memorial feels that the project has a very positive impact on the children.  "The kids think it's special, they remember that blanket.  It comforted them while in the hospital," states Losand. 

Any child is eligible to receive a blanket when they are available, there is no preference given to the severity of the condition of the child. 

According to Chapter Coordinator Michele Willis, "we donate blankets to children in all of the hospitals, homeless shelters, Jamison Center & other county organizations in the County. The blankets go to any child that is in a traumatic situation whether it be illness, death of a loved one or taken out of their home in the middle of the night."

There are two major community day events that are hosted by Project Linus, the next of which will be held on February 20th at Liberty High School.

For more information or volunteering opportunities contact the folks at Project Linus: quilts4kidz@sbcglobal.net