Make a Difference Day & 10th Birthday Celebration – Part 1

October 27, 2007

In 2007, the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Project Linus turned 10 years old. In those 10 years, we delivered 40,000 handmade blankets to children in the metro area. Blanketeers gathered at Crittenton Children’s Hospital on Make a Difference Day, October 27, 2007, to celebrate our accomplishments.

birthday balloons untying fleece blankets

Blanketeers started the day untying 2-layer fleece blankets and retying them as single layer blankets. Periodically, Project Linus receives donations of 2-layer fleece blankets and the hospitals cannot use them. Two layers of fleece are too warm and heavy for children in the hospital. If you have contacts with any scout or church groups, please pass the word that Project Linus cannot use 2-layer fleece blankets.

untying fleece blankets

Greater Kansas City Chapter Coordinator Patty Gregory greeted volunteers and introduced the Joplin Chapter Coordinator, Joyce Gentzler, and the new Chapter Coordinator for the area north of the Missouri River, Kate Kruse. Kate is coordinator for Platte and Clay counties. The first door prizes were awarded.

door prizes

Door Prizes

Kathy Hughey, Volunteer Manager of Hope House was our first speaker. Hope House is a domestic violence shelter with locations in Independence and Lee’s Summit, MO. Many times, women and children arrive at the shelter with nothing but the clothes on their backs. A Project Linus blanket means a lot to a child who has nothing.

Patty Gregory receives award from Hope House

Patty Gregory (left) receives award from Kathy Hughey of Hope House.

Ms. Hughey talked about the services Hope House provides and things needed to run the shelters. If you see a good sale on toilet paper, buy some for Hope House. They use 200 rolls a week.

Although not necessities, perfume and scented bath products are greatly appreciated. These items go into a free store and the children get to choose birthday and holiday gifts for their moms. You can learn more about Hope House services and needed donations by visiting the Hope House website.

Ms. Hughey concluded her presentation by presenting the Hope House award for Community Support Organization of the Year for 2006. Patty Gregory accepted the award on behalf of Project Linus.

Hope House Community Support Organization of the Year award

Continue to: 10th Birthday Celebration - Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
      Challenge Quilts - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3