Welcome! Through the gift of handmade blankets, Project Linus is able to provide a sense of security, warmth and comfort, to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.
About Us
Project Linus National Headquarters is located in Belton, Missouri. National President Patty Gregory and Vice President Mary Balagna direct and orchestrate the activities of Project Linus chapters located across the United States. Patty has been involved with the organization in the Kansas City area since April 2000 and Mary in Central Illinois since late 1998, as chapter coordinators and now as directors and officers. Mary also maintains a very busy chapter, donating an average of 350 blankets every month to local children. With chapters in all 50 states, Project Linus continues to grow. Blankets are collected locally and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug. Rarely a month goes by that Project Linus is not featured in a national magazine or program. Parade, People, Reader’s Digest, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, Quiltmaker, Quilters Newsletter, Guidepost, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day and many others have helped to spur interest. You may have seen or heard segments about Project Linus on the NBC Nightly News, Today Show, or even your local newscasts..
Our Mission Statement
Project Linus is a non-profit organization with a two-fold mission.
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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.”
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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.
Agnes Ratliff - Chapter Coordinator
Hi everyone! My name is Agnes Ratliff, I have been making blankets for Project Linus for several years and in 2021 I took the leap and started a Project Linus Chapter in Berkeley Co WV. I knew once I retired, I needed to do something to keep me busy and be creative. I started this chapter of Project Linus to help serve the children in our community of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia that are struggling due to trauma, illness or in need. Not only do the blankets that we create for them help to aid in comfort and joy during the tough times they are enduring. There is also such a sense of joy that comes along with helping these children.
By the middle of 2022 I decided to expand our chapter to Project Linus Eastern Panhandle WV, serving Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan Counties WV. We have a wonderful group of "Blanketeers" in our community that love to create blankets for the children of our area. In my free time I enjoy gardening, cooking, sewing and many types of crafts. I want to thank my husband for his support while I am out of the home promoting Project Linus Eastern Panhandle WV. We would love to have you join us in volunteering with Project Linus of the Eastern Panhandle!
How Project Linus Eastern Panhandle Came About
Project Linus, Berkeley Co. WV Chapter was established October 6, 2021, following the guidelines of the National Project Linus. In October, 2022 we expanded the name to Project Linus Eastern Panhandle WV, serving Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan Counties. Since 1995 over 9,356,325 blankets have been delivered by Project Linus throughout the United States. I have worked with Project Linus in a neighboring chapter for several years and decided organize a chapter our area.
My goal for the Project Linus Eastern Panhandle WV Chapter to have a blanket for every child in need, not only to keep them warm, but to give them the comfort of knowing someone cares. They will have something they can consider their own. The blankets are given to children from 0-18. I am working with many dedicated and talented craft people to create quilts, blankets, throws and afghans for these children.
Project Linus Eastern Panhandle first delivery was 74 blankets to the students of The West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, when they returned to school after their Administration Building Fire in February, 2022. We help provide blankets to Berkeley Medical Center, Children's Home Society/Safe Have, CASA, Bethany House, Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center, Children's National Hospital, DC Berkeley and Jefferson Counties Sleep in Heavenly Peace. We are also working with the Fire Department in the area. Local quilting groups and individuals, Berkeley Senior Center Quilter's and many other individual and school and youth groups are involved in making blankets for our children in need. As of the end of 2023 Project Linus Eastern Panhandle WV created 2397 blankets for children in need in our area.