Chapter History

On Christmas Eve, 1995, Karen Loucks of Parker, Colorado read an article in Parade magazine. The article mentioned a little girl with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy and said that she took her security blanket to her treatments. Karen began collecting and distributing handmade blankets to hospitals in the Denver area. Named after the character in the "Peanuts" comic strip, Project Linus was born.

Chapters formed across the United States as Karen's efforts were publicized. Family Circle magazine ran a article on Project Linus in the July 15, 1997 issue which generated interest across the country. Since then, many publications and television shows have done stories on Project Linus.

Metro Kansas City Chapter

June 1, 1997. The Metro Kansas City chapter of Project Linus is started by Dawn Spencer, our first chapter coordinator. Dawn soon had media coverage in the Kansas City Star newspaper and on the KCTV - Channel 5 news and her phone started ringing. By the end of 1999, volunteers had created over 3,000 blankets.

April, 2000. Patty Gregory assumed chapter coordinator responsibilities. Soon, on May 8, Patty was featured on the KMBC Channel 9 five o'clock news show that aired right after an Oprah Winfrey show featuring Karen Loucks.

August, 2000. Lynne Poss became co-coordinator of the Metro Kansas City Project Linus chapter. Lynne and Patty worked together until Lynne resigned as co-coordinator in January 2002.

June, 2002. Project Linus of Metro Kansas City celebrated it's fifth birthday. Lynn Hardy of Children's Mercy Hospital received a special 10,000th blanket at our birthday party on June 22, 2002. The KC Star Neighborhood News ran a photo of the presentation.

Greater Kansas City Area Chapter

August, 2006. The Metro Kansas City Chapter became the Greater Kansas City Area Chapter of Project Linus. The name changed and everything else remained the same.

In 2007, we celebrated our 10th birthday. 40,000 blankets were delivered to the children of greater Kansas City in 10 years.

Patty Gregory saw the chapter through eight years of tremendous growth and we owe her many thanks. In 2008, Patty stepped down as coordinator to have more time for her family and other interests.

March, 2008. Gaylen Boyd became chapter coordinator serving until she started full time college courses. Susan Brazeal assumed chapter coordinator duties in October, 2008.

Clay/Platte Counties, MO Chapter

April, 2007. A new Project Linus chapter formed to serve Platte and Clay Counties in Missouri (north of the river) with Kate Kruse as chapter coordinator. In 2008, Kate resigned as coordinator and Platte and Clay counties rejoined the Greater Kansas City Area Chapter

Greater Kansas City Area Chapter Divides

March 9, 2009. The Greater Kansas City Area Chapter of Project Linus is divided into 2 chapters to better serve the area. The 2 new chapters serve:

After a year off, Patty Gregory is back as chapter coordinator for the Cass County, MO/Johnson & Wyandotte Counties, KS chapter. SusanB continues as chapter coordinator for the Jackson/Clay/Platte Counties, MO chapter.