With nearly 10½ hours into the 24-hour Erie Gives event, we are so grateful for the $730 donated so far! 💙 There’s still plenty of time to give—can we double this amount in the next few hours? Every gift makes a difference!
www.eriegives.org
With nearly 10½ hours into the 24-hour Erie Gives event, we are so grateful for the $730 donated so far! 💙 There’s still plenty of time to give—can we double this amount in the next few hours? Every gift makes a difference!
www.eriegives.org
Good Morning Blanketeers,
🎉 The Day is Here — Erie Gives Day! 🎉
Today, our community has a powerful opportunity to come together and make a real difference in the lives of children in need. 💖
At NWPA Project Linus, our mission is simple but deeply meaningful: we provide handmade blankets to children facing trauma, grief, or hospitalization. These aren't just any blankets — they’re “blankies,” full of comfort, warmth, and love. 🌈
Someone once asked us, “Why give blankets to children in a hospital? Hospitals already have blankets.”
Our answer?
👉 Yes, but they don’t have blankies.
Just like Linus from Peanuts carried his blanket for security, these handmade gifts become a source of comfort for kids navigating their hardest days.
💚 Help us continue this mission today. Every donation counts.
🧸 Give now at: www.eriegives.org
📅 Only today — August 6th, 8am–8pm!
JoAnn Burkhart
Coordinator NWPA Project Linus
1-814-392-5583
August, 2025
Hello Blanketeers,
Once again with the continued
support of our community, we will be able to keep with our Mission of providing
new hand made blankets to children in need. Erie Gives is a critical part of
our Chapter being able to purchase blanket making supplies for our “
Blanketeers”
NWPA Project Linus will be participating
in its 13th Erie Gives on
Tuesday August 12th from 12:00 am – 11:59 pm www.Eriegives.org we qualify as a 501(c)(3) non profit and are registered
for this ON-LINE event. Erie Gives is fast approaching-
We would ask that if you give to a charity throughout the year,
that you would consider donating to NWPA Project Linus on that day. As
each year goes on, there are many new non profits that are a part
of the Erie Gives. We are a very small fish, in a very large pond. Over
all 9.7 Million dollars were raised in this 12 hours of fund raising here in
Erie. That is an incredible amount and we continue to have a very generous
Community.
Your donation to NWPA Project Linus would assist us to purchase
blanket making materials, such as batting, yarn, fleece, flannel and cotton
material to help us meet the growing need in our Community of children in need.
When you click onto the www.Eriegives.org site type in NWPA
Project Linus
We would ask that if you give
to a charity throughout the year that you would consider donating to NWPA
Project Linus on that day. Last year on
this one day of fund raising over 9.7 million dollars were raised here in Erie.
That is an incredible amount and we live in a very generous Community.
About ErieGives
Day and Time: The event
takes place on August 12th. You have 24 hours ( New this Year) to make your donation between the hours of 12:00
a.m. and 11:59 p.m. EST.
Gift Amount: The
minimum gift is $25. There is no limit to the amount of money you may give. You
can give up to 10 nonprofits per transaction.
Credit Cards: Only
Visa, MasterCard and Discover will be accepted. The credit card processor
charges a nominal fee per transaction. The Erie Community Foundation does not
receive any fees. (Sorry credit card gift cards will not be accepted.)
Your Receipt: You will
receive an email receipt of your gift; please retain it for tax purposes, which
you should retain for tax purposes. Unless you choose to remain anonymous, your
donor information will be sent to the appropriate organization.
**** Please forward this email
to your friend group in order to help NWPA Project Linus expand its foot print
in our area and beyond.****
Odds and Ends :
-At
this time we are in need of baby size blankets, they can be 36 X 36, 36 “ X 40”
approximately ,
any
types ( knitted, crocheted, quilted and fleece with crocheted edges). We have
received many of the larger size blankets over the past several months, but not
as many of the smaller sizes.
Boy
blankets of all sizes and types are always in need.
Reminders:
-NICU Size Blankets 30 x 30 36 X 36 -Even though these little ones are
very small, you might think that their blankets should be small as well. Not
the case. These blankets are used to cover their isolettes to keep the light
and sound out during their stay in the NICU.
- Remember to check your finished quilt or blanket for
pins.
- Only use unscented detergent and fabric softener if you feel
that you need to launder a blanket.
- We are unable to accept blankets with Holiday or
Religious themes. This is one of Nationals few requirements. Other
organizations may be able to utilize them, Thank you !!
Looking
Ahead:
August 12th Erie Gives Day
February 21st 2026 - National Make a Blanket Day
Updated information will be on Facebook as well. You
can find us at:
Nwpaprojectlinus
Website- www.nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com
Warmly,
JoAnn Burkhart
Coordinator
NWPA Project Linus
1-814-392-5583
July 2025
Hello Blanketeers,
Once again we would like to send a big thank you
and shout out to all of our “Blanketeer’s” for their continued support by
making so many lovely handmade blankets for children in need in our community. Because
of your continued support we are able to deliver over 200 a month. With that
being said, it has recently been announced by National Headquarters, that over 10
million new handmade blankets have been given to children in need
nationally. We are a mighty “ Village”.
Erie Gives is fast approaching- Tuesday
August 12, 2025
We would ask that if you give to a charity throughout the year,
that you would consider donating to NWPA Project Linus on that day. As
each year goes on, there are many new non profits that are a part
of the Erie Gives. We are a very small fish, in a very large pond. Over
all 9.7 Million dollars were raised in this 12 hours of fund raising for ErieGives
during last years event. That is an incredible amount and we continue to have a
very generous Community.
Your donation to NWPA Project Linus would assist us to purchase
blanket making materials, such as batting, yarn, fleece, flannel and cotton
material to help us meet the growing need in our Community of children in need.
We would greatly appreciate
if you all could forward this email onto your contacts, to spread the word
about this awesome event.
**** New this year for Erie
Gives, you will be able to donate from 12:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. So if you
are and early bird or night owl the opportunity to make your donation just became
easier. ***
**** Youngsville Free Methodist
Church at 179 Davis Street, Youngsville Pa is a new drop off location in Warren
County 9:00-3:00 Mon-Fri ****
RIMINDERS:
·
Fleece blankets need to
be single, 1 ½ - 2 yards makes a great size blanket if you are tying the blanket.
Remember to trim the 2 selvage sides of the fleece before you start to cut your
strips and cut out the 4 corners as well.
-
·
It has been brought to our attention, that we need to be cautious
with the patterns of crocheted or knitted afghans. Due to little fingers that
may get caught in the holes of aghans that have a more open pattern. Sometimes
it may only be reducing the needle size. We are very grateful for the beautiful
afghans that we receive.
·
As always, we need boy blankets of all sizes and kinds
·
Be watchful of leaving pins in a quilted blanket
Looking Ahead:
August 12th-
Erie Gives
February 21st - National Make a Blanket Day (2026)
Updates via
Facebook and our Blog as well. You can find us at:
· NWPA Project Linus - Like us -and that
automatically will add you to our friend list.
· www.nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com-
NWPA Project Linus
FaceBook
nwpaprojectlinus.blogspot.com
NWPA Project Linus is one of 368 chapters of the national organization Project Linus. Our chapter covers the counties of Erie, Crawford, Mercer,Warren in PA and Chautauqua County in NY.
Nationally Project Linus has given 7.7 million blankets to children in need
Locally our chapter has given 50,698 since our founding in 1998
Mission:
Project Linus is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization providing handmade security blankets for children who are seriously ill, traumatized or in need. Our blanketeers make handmade blankets to give to these babies and children to keep. Our goal is to help these little ones through whatever they are going through, be it an illness, hospital stay, surgery, tragedy, loss of a loved one, whatever the trauma with the love and comfort of a security blanket.
First it is 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."
Second it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.
Where Blankets go locally:
Baby First, Bair Foster Foundation, Bethesda Children's Home,
Caring Place, Children's Advocacy Center, Children's Aid Society, Crawford County Human Services- CYS, Community Shelter Service, Crime Victim Center,
Erie Family Center, Erie Free Store
Home, Family Services ( Union City)
Good Sheppard Center ,
Harbor Creek Youth Service's, House of Healing,
Individuals, International Institute,
Keystone Foster Care & Youth,
Mercy Center for Women, Mercer County Children & Youth, Millcreek Community Hospital,
Nurse Family Partnership,
Office of Children & Youth Services,
Refuge Homeless Shelter-First United Methodist, Royal Family kids
SafeNet, Safe Start, Salvation Army, Sarah Reed Children's Home, St. Vincent's Health Center, Shriner's Hospital
Title 5,
UPMC Hamot Hospital,
WIC, WCA Hospital , Women Care Center
Where and When we Meet:
First Wednesday of each month-
Millcreek Sewing ,
6044 Peach Street 1:00- 4:00 Sewing kits and machines provided
Second Monday of Each month- **** NEW LOCATION ****
1446 Patterson Ave Erie, PA 16508
9:00-11:00 Working meeting, sewing on labels, sorting blankets
Third Thursday of each month-
Doug Yaple's Vacuum,
1518 E. 38th Street 10:00-2:00 sewing kits provided
Drop off Locations:
Erie County-
NWPA Project Linus
JoAnn Burkhart
1446 Patterson Ave.
Erie, PA 16508
814-864-9389 814-392-5583
Kelly' Sewing Corner
3330 W. 26th Street
Erie, PA 16506
814-838-7158
Marie Bissell
Lake City- 814-774-4884
Tena Pomeroy
814-969-4433 ( Albion,Pa)
Super Stitch
10429 West Main Street * New Location*
North East, PA 16428
814-725-3335
Millcreek Sewing Center
6044 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509
814-866-8227
Doug Yaple's Vacuum
1815 E. 38th Street
Erie, PA 16510
814-897-9337
Doug Yaple's West
2301 W. 12th Street ( Schaal Plaza)
814-616-6100
JoAnn Fabrics
7200 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509
1-814-866-3197
Crawford County:
Jackie Gildea
Crawford County Assistant
1-814-720-0702
Fox's Sew & Vac Sales & Service
Downtown Mall
Meadville, PA 16335
814-333-1400
JoAnn Fabrics
18921 Park Ave PLZ
Meadville, PA
1-814-724-1358
Warren County:
Ronnieann Walters
814-723-5408
Mercer County:
Linda Hajtol
724-588-3289
116 N. Pitt StreetMercer, PA 16137
St. Michael's Church
76 North High Street
Greenville, PA 16125
724-588-9800
JoAnn Fabrics
2481 E. State Street
Heritage, PA 16148
724-981-4000
2020 Updated Blanket Sizes
Preemie- 30 X 30 36 X 36
Baby- 36 X 40 40 X 40
Medium- 40 X 50 40 X 60
Large- 45 X 60 45 X 72
Local blanket requirements:
1. Blankets need to be made with NEW, CLEAN, WASHABLE materials in infant, child or teen friendly colors. These blankets are meant to be colorful, cheerful, and cuddly and loved.
2. We accept new/not used knitted, crocheted, quilted and no-sew fleece tied blankets (either double or single thickness).
3. Due to children’s allergies: blankets coming from smoking households or households with pets need to be washed prior to donation.
3. A -Due to children's allergies and possible respiratory issues, please refrain from the use of dryer sheets, fabric softeners and scented bags when either laundering or storing blanket making material.
4. Please keep in mind hospital equipment and small fingers.
If you are hand tying a quilt ,secure the batting into outer seams and if the blanket is tied, please anchor it every 4 - 6 inches so that the batting doesn't bunch up. Cut strings short.
Weave in all yarn ends on crocheted and knitted blankets. No long fringe.
5.Once again due to allergies please no wool or wool blend in yarn or fabric
6.Check your blanket carefully for straight pins. Its better you find that pin and not the child who receives your blanket.
7.No buttons, ribbons or similar decorative items on a blanket. They can be a choking hazard to children.
8.We cannot accept blankets with puffy type paint on the surface of a blanket. The thick stuff peels off - we don't want a child eating it. We recently received a blanket that had so much paint on the surface it was like pulling apart Velcro when we tried to unfold it.
9.We do accept blankets decorated with fabric markers,(please note regular markers or Sharpies bleed when washed)
10.We cannot accept blankets with any religious connotations, or seasonal prints.
Kids Helping Kids Program: This program is designed for young children or those who are not old enough to make no-sew fleece blankets. We encourage older groups and adults to consider making no-sew fleece tied blankets for their community involvement projects. For more information please contact JoAnn Burkhart. 1-814-864-9389 or 1-814-392-5583
To Request a blanket for your organization or an individual child contact JoAnn Burkhart.1-814-864-9389 or nwpaprojectlinus@hotmail.com
Basic Fleece Blanket Single Layer making directions:
1 1/2- 2 yards of fleece
Trim 2 selvage sides
Cut out 5" squares from each corner
cut 1" strips that you then tie first loosely, then second tie a bit tighter. otherwise you end up with an oval shape blanket rather than a rectangle that you started with.