Become a Blanketeer
What is a Blanketeer?
Our volunteers, known as “blanketeers,” provide new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to children up to 18 years old who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.
All blanket styles are welcome (based on local needs) including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors.
For ideas on patterns and projects for quilts, blankets & afghans, check out this page from the National Project Linus website.
Follow our Pinterest page for more patterns and inspriation.
You may wish to coordinate or participate in a Make A Blanket Day. Some chapters gather and make as many blankets as possible. Others hold an open house to simply collect blankets and materials. Together as a chapter, we can decide the best activities for our community adnt eh materials we will need (fabric, fleece, yarn, food etc.) to accomplish them.
Chapter coordinators are required to be non-smokers and live in smoke-free homes. We ask that our blanketeers do the same. Because many of the children who receive our blankets may already compromised immune systems, we must ensure our blankets are free of smoke and chemical odors (including scented detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets) mold, mildew, and pet hair.
What guidelines should we follow for making blankets?
Our chapter coordinators accept NEW, HANDMADE, WASHABLE, quilts, blankets and afghans for children up to 18 years old.
General Guidelines
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Crochet, knit, quilt, or tie blankets or finish the edges of fleece.
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Fleece blankets should generally be one layer thick for delivery to hospitals and can be two layers thick for other deliveries.
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Check out Finish a Fleece Blanket for instructions and patterns for fleece blankets.
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Make blankets from new, clean, washable materials in infant, child and teen friendly colors.
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Blankets must be durable and washable as they will be laundered many times.
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Use age appropriate fabric or yarn for the blanket you create
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Low loft batting is preferred
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Please check, double-check, and triple-check your blanket carefully for straight pins. It's better you find that pin - not the child that receives your blanket
Suggested Blanket Sizes
Baby 30" x 30" to 36" x 36"
Child/Youth 40" x 60"
Teen 45" x 72"
Fleece
For ideas on prepping and finishing fleece blankets, check out our chapter brochure.
Afghans
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Use small crochet hooks or knitting needles and soft baby yarn when making baby afghans.
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Little fingers and toes and medical instruments can get caught in loose, loopy big stitches.
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If you prefer to use larger hooks or needles, consider making larger child and teen sized afghans.
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Weave in all yarn ends on crocheted and knitted afghans. Do not just knot and cut off the ends.
What are drop-off sites?
Drop-off sites are local businesses or community areas that are convenient for our Blanketeers and donors to drop off items being donated. Other volunteers will come by and pick those items up on a regular basis.
Current Drop Off Sites
7320 Rogers Ave, Suite 5, Fort Smith
1010 Frontier Street, Barling
1401 S. Waldron Road, Fort Smith
Crooked Creek Quilt Shop
1736 W. Center Street, Greenwood
If you would like to become a drop-off site, please email the Chapter Coordinator and let her know!
Dropping off blankets & donations
Blankets and donations should be in a closed bag that includes your name, address and phone/email so that we may send you a thank you for tax purposes.
If you don't live near Fort Smith, Arkansas, please visit the Project Linus National Headquarters website for chapters near you: http://www.projectlinus.org/volunteer/