About Project Linus of Greater Oklahoma City
The best kind of sleep under heaven above... is a blanket... handmade with love.
Founded in 2012, our group of volunteers serves the children in our greater extended community, which includes the counties of Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Kingfisher, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma and more...
Our Mission: To provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” We provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.
Serving the Greater Oklahoma City Area of Blanchard, Chickasha, El Reno, Guthrie, Kingfisher, Midwest City, Moore, Newcastle, Norman, Piedmont, Purcell, Yukon... and more
We are a part of the National Project Linus organization whose mission is: At Project Linus, a non-profit organization, we provide homemade blankets to children in need. Our blankets are lovingly made by adults and children from all walks of life and many different sources.
OKC Donation Impact
Since chapter inception in 2012, Project Linus of OKC has donated 17,908 blankets
2012: 85 blankets
2013: 156 blankets
2014: 250 blankets
2015: 869 blankets
2016: 1,843 blankets
2017: 1,839 blankets
2018: 1,900 blankets
2019: 2,698 blankets
2020: 2,419 blankets
2021: 2,349 blankets
2022: 3,500 blankets
Volunteer
Become a Blanketeer! A Blanketeer is someone who stitches and donates blankets. It is a combination of the words "blanket" and "volunteer", and is as warm and fuzzy sounding as the blankets they donate!
Just show up! Project Linus of Greater OKC has no formal membership requirements. Simply show up at one of our meetings or a Make A Blanket Day, or don’t! You can simply work from home and deliver your creations at one of our meetings or one of our Drop Off Sites.
Blanketeers
Sewist, Quilter, Crocheter
If you can sew, quilt, crochet, or knit, please consider making a blanket/quilt for a child who needs a hug. Or maybe you're an avid crafter and have run out of family and friends to make blankets for! The blanket you donate will then be given to a deserving child. You don't have to be an expert to make a blanket that is beautiful to a child! Don't sew? We need volunteers to tie fleece blankets and cut fabric to build kits too!
Group Volunteers
Organizations, Office, Church
Volunteers are always needed. Does your youth organization, service sorority, church group, quilt or sewing guild, civic organization or business want to volunteer? Contact us for opportunities! Or simply make a blanket (or 2 or 10!) at home, or attend a Make a Blanket Day, and donate your creation to us. Please read our blanket guidelines.
Blanket Delivery
Available to Drive
Volunteer to help us deliver blankets. We regularly receive requests for donations, and especially when a disaster strikes, we need volunteers to help deliver blankets to those who need them. We also need people willing to pick up donations.
Donations
Many of our volunteers have the time to make blankets, but don't have the resources to purchase the supplies needed to make blankets. Your donations make it possible for these volunteers to create blankets for kids who need a warm blanket hug. Read below for the types of donations Project Linus of Greater OKC can accept.
Donate Materials
Clearing your clutter? Cleaning out Grandma's house? We'll take it! We accept donations of the following:
• Fabric – washable cotton, flannel or fleece (need solid colors including black too). No polyester or wool.
• Backing - need up to 6 yards per blanket. Cotton or fleece.
• Batting - 100% cotton or 80/20 cotton. These can be purchased in package sizes for crib, twin, full, queen & king.
• Notions, such as thread, scissors, rotary cutters and blades, etc.
• Knitting needles, crochet hooks, and acrylic yarn (no wool)
• Large plastic bags for transporting blankets (branding okay!)
• Power strips, orange industrial power cords and regular power cords
• Large, clear plastic containers for storing fabric and blankets
• Sewing machines
• Gift cards to local fabric stores
Monetary Donations
Mail your tax-deductible donation to:
Project Linus
ATTN: Deb Goble, Coordinator
P.O. Box 892065
Oklahoma City, OK 73189
Project Linus of Greater OKC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Drop Off Sites
Oklahoma County
Edmond Open MRI - 3414 S Broadway, Edmond
OK Upright MRI - 5832 NW 135th St, OKC
Stitching Post - 5928 NW 16th St, OKC
Tropical Smoothie Cafe - 3131 W Memorial Rd, OKC
Cleveland County
Stitching Post - 901 N Moore Ave, Moore
Keepsake Fabric & Quilts - 2990 SE 19th St, Moore
Grady County
Beth's Quilting Quarters & Fabric Shoppe - 114 N Main, Blanchard
Blanket Requirements
- Project Linus of Greater OKC accepts handmade quilts, fleece blankets, and knitted or crocheted afghans. We have no requirements for exact sizing, patterns or colors.
- Blankets should be free of contaminants such as smoke, chemical odors, mildew, and pet hair.
- Always double check your blankets for pins, and do not use embellishments such as buttons or anything a small child could pull off and swallow.
- Please wash your blankets before donating in scent-free detergent and softeners.
- Quilted blankets, or those made with fabric must include 3 layers: top, backing and batting. Fleece blankets can be single or double thickness.
- Please note: All blankets must be handmade from new materials. The exception is t-shirt quilts. Please use fusible interfacing on the back of the t-shirts for ease in quilting.
Blanket Sizes
- We give blankets to newborns through 18 years old. These are approximate blanket sizes - kids and blankets come in all sizes!
- Receiving blankets size (32" x 32") – two-sided and usually flannel or fleece
- Crib Size (45" x 45") – example: use 7 x 7, 6½ inch squares
- Throw size - use your judgment on this – somewhere between crib and twin size, but generally 2 yards (6 feet) long or shorter
- Twin size (63" x 86") - This is approximate. Provided to teen shelters, and they do not need to be "bed spreads" that hang low off of the bed. They need to be portable so that the child can take with them when they leave.
OKC Blanket Needs
Project Linus of Greater Oklahoma City serves several groups and organizations in the area. All sizes, fabrics, and suggestions are the preferences of the clients we serve. Fabric colors and patterns should be suitable for children ages 0-18 years.
Children's OU Medical Center
- Receiving Blankets for newborns: should be approx. 40”x40” - 2-sided self-binding, pastel-colored, flannel blankets. Cut the center 32”x32” and cut the outer piece 42”x42”, and the size should be right at 40” square.
- Scent Cloths - 2-layer flannel 4” heart
- Wound covers - 4”x4” or 5”x5” or 5”x7” cotton fabric. Double layer - cut 2 pieces of fabric. Using ¼" seam allowance, sew right sides together making sure to leave an opening for turning. Turn and press.
- Crocheted Octopus
- Fleece blankets - single layer- 40”x60” and 60”x72”
Children First Program
- Swaddle Cloths - 42”x42” single layer flannel with ¼"" hem all around.
- Handmade Quilts - 40”x60” For Oklahoma, Cleveland, and Grady Counties
- Bibs, burp cloths, and small stuffies
Foster Care Intake
- Fleece blankets - 2 layers, 40"x60" and 60"x70"
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
- Fleece blankets - 2 layers (front print and solid back), 60"x90"
Please contact us for more specific information on these projects.
Patterns and Ideas
Please visit www.projectlinus.org/patterns for an extensive list of online links of free patterns.
Quiltmaker Magazine has been a longtime supporter of Project Linus. Rarely a month goes by that Project Linus is not mentioned in an issue. Each year, Quiltmaker Magazine designs a special quilt square for the annual Project Linus Make A Blanket Day held in February. They also host a blanket day at their Golden, Colorado office each year, donating hundreds of quilts to the local chapter. Check their free quilt patterns page for a list of what's currently available online.
Be sure to visit our Pinterest page for great ideas too!
Greater OKC Impact
Pay It 4ward Award
Congratulations to Sharene Anderson and Linda Crook who were presented with the KFOR Channel 4 "Pay It 4ward Award" by newscaster Kevin Ogle. The award is sponsored by First Fidelity Bank. A special thank you to the Stitching Post for all they do for Project Linus and to Debbie Winstead for nominating these very deserving women. (Sharene and Linda are pictured in the center holding the pastel blanket.) See the entire story at KFOR.com.
Who We Help
Victims of tornado, wildfire, house fires, children and families in crisis, and children of fallen military members. Plus the following community organizations:
All Things Baby, Ally’s House, Anna’s House Foundation, Bethel Foundation, Canadian County DHS, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Child S.H.A.R.E., Citizens Caring for Children, Cleveland County DHS, COLE’s Foundation, Duncan Regional Hospital, Duncan Youth Center, Girls Teen Home, Haskell County DHS, Hope Chest, Infant Crisis Services, Integris NICU and Hospital, Kingfisher/Blaine County DHS, Lilyfield Christian Adoption and Foster Care, Logan/Payne County DHS, McClain County DHS, MERCY Hospital, Pauline Mayer Shelter (OKC DHS), Positive Tomorrows, Purcell Hospital, Salvation Army, Snowball Express, TAPS, Weatherford Hospital, White Fields Boys Home ... and many more.
Make A Blanket Day 2018
2018's Make A Blanket Day was our largest event ever. We had about 40 people in attendance, making 54 fleece blankets, 4 quilt tops, and 5 crocheted/knitted blankets.
Know a Child in Need?
Most children receive a Project Linus blanket through a local hospital, shelter, or another organization. If you know a child or children in crisis, who will not likely get a Project Linus blanket from an organization, please contact us. We will happily select and deliver a blanket to the children or family in need.
In The News
Watch this news segment on Fox25 featuring Project Linus about a special event hosted by The Stitching Post on April 8 - 9, 2016.
Our Volunteers
We have so many great people in our group who do great things in and outside of Project Linus- Greater OKC area. Ms. Terri Ward is one example. She has made Life-Share Blankets for the last 2 years. These blankets honor those who have given life to others. Each square represents an individual Oklahoma donor. These donors make such an impact to families from both sides of the donations due to these selfless acts of generosity. These blankets are phenomenal and best seen up close. Ms. Ward makes them but is quick to say that she did everything but the “quilting part of it.” Thank you Terri for all that you do for our community.
Thank You
We want to let you know how much we appreciate the beautiful blankets you donated for the children we work with. Often they do not have much of their own and a soft blanket can mean a lot. Thanks again for being so thoughtful.
Sincerely,
Donna, Grady County Child Advocacy Team
Chickasha, OK
Contact Us
Project Linus of Greater OKC
Attn: Deb Goble, Coordinator
P.O. Box 892065
Oklahoma City, OK 73189
Phone: 405-889-8039
Email: projectlinusokc@gmail.com
