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... About Us |
Project Linus is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization providing new handmade security blankets to children who need a hug. Many of the children are seriously ill. Others are coping with a stressful situation. Project Linus of Metro Kansas City, serves the metropolitan Kansas City, Kansas / Missouri area.
On Christmas Eve, 1995, Karen Loucks-Baker 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 helped to generate interest across the country. Since then, many publications and television shows have done stories on Project Linus.
The Metro Kansas City chapter of Project Linus began June 1, 1997. Our first chapter coordinator, Dawn Spencer, 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 to be distributed.
In 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. In August 2000, Lynne Poss became co-coordinator of the Metro Kansas City Project Linus chapter. Lynne and Patty worked together for many months until Lynne resigned as co-coordinator in January 2002.
Project Linus of Metro Kansas City celebrated it's fifth birthday in June 2002. 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.
April 2007, saw a new Project Linus chapter formed to serve Platte and Clay Counties in Missouri (north of the river). Kate Kruse is coordinator of the Platte/Clay County chapter. Also in 2007, we celebrated our 10th birthday. 40,000 blankets were delivered to the children of greater Kansas City in 10 years.
Gaylen Boyd became chapter coordinator in March, 2008. Patty Gregory saw the chapter through eight years of tremendous growth and we owe her many thanks. Patty stepped down as coordinator to have more time for her family and other interests.
Each year, we celebrate National Make a Blanket Day in February and hold a Make a Difference Day event. Make a Difference Day is the fourth Saturday in October. Mark your calendars.
