Do you know about Project Linus? If not, then this article is for you. Project Linus is a nation-wide non-profit with its headquarters located in Belton, Missiouri. It has chapters in all 50 states. The organization has two missions. The first mission is 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.'" The second mission is to "provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children." The Young Lawyer Division of our Franklin County Bar Association is about to embark on it's second blanket drive for Project Linus.

The first blanket drive our YLD held was in 2018 after Kristen Hamilton attended the PBA New Admittee Conference that summer in State College. She was on a hike up the Nittany Mountain when she overheard the girl in front of her, Jennifer Galloway, talking to someone about a blanket project. The conversation piqued Kristen's interest because it was different than any of the other projects the Franklin County Bar Association had been involved in. Kristen talked with Jennifer about more details of Project Linus. She learned that it was a great way the FCBA could give back to the community by helping first responders and people who work with children in the foster care system to provide comfort to children during times of trauma. It's not uncommon when a child is removed from their home, when a house fire occurs, or another traumatic event, there's no time for that child to grab any personal belongings. The blankets provided by the FCBA to Project Linus are the next best thing to a personal belonging for that child.

When Kristen brought the idea back from the New Admittee Conference Amelia Ambrose got to work. She started by looking at the Project Linus website and found out that Franklin County has a Project Linus Coordinator. At the time we had our first blanket drive, the Franklin County Project Linus Coordinator was only 11 - 13 years old. Amelia was surprised and proud of this very driven young lady! After we finish our blanket drive each year, Amelia takes the blankets to the Coordinator's drop-off location which is her parents' State Farm Agency on the square in Greencastle.

2018's Blanket Drive collected 40 blankets! 

This year the YLD blanket drive is the entire month of March. As you may have already read earlier in the Causeway, the YLD will be making blankets on March 25 & 26. All FCBA members are invited to help make blanket or donate blankets, money or materials. In fact, we already had several FCBA members donate some incredible handmade quilts. If you're thinking of helping out on March 25 & 26 but aren't crafty, Amelia assured me that there's nothing for you to worry about. The blankets are incredibly easy to make. It just requires two pieces of fabric and some scissors. If you can tie a knot, you can help out!