A blanket for their needs

Suzie Harrison

Nothing seems to conjure up a comforting image quite like a

blanket. Mentally and physically a blanket does much to sooth the

soul.

That is the premise fostered by Project Linus, a nonprofit

organization that provides blankets for children in need.

Cappy Brown has been involved with the project in North Orange

County for a little more than five years. Brown now heads up Project

Linus, which is based in Anaheim and covers all of North Orange

County, including service to Huntington Beach and the Huntington

Beach Community Clinic -- one of Brown most common stops.

Brown got the idea to instigate the project here from a friend in

San Diego.

“They were doing it in San Diego, and I saw how they were really

into it,” she said.

It is an all-volunteer project, and all the blankets are donated.

Most of the blankets are handmade by individuals, but some are made

or donated by clubs, classes, groups, friends and families.

“Some people have nothing else to do, like in nursing homes,”

Brown said. “When they find us they start making quilts and blankets

like crazy. It gives them a new lease on life.”

The blankets most often go to children in hospitals, but they also

help children in shelters and shelters for abused women and their

children.

“Sometimes, often, [the children] come in with just the clothing

on their backs -- with no toys or nothing because they left quietly

in the night, as they often do,” Brown said.

So far, Brown has delivered 3,180 blankets and counting.

“When I get a supply, I get on the phone and ask each place how

many they need,” Brown said.

Patricia Riba, a pediatrician at the Huntington Beach Community

clinic, is a big fan of the program.

“It’s incredible,” Riba said. “Cappy and I met a few months ago

and I told her how much in need we are of blankets and books.

Children can be crying because of getting their shots and it comforts

them and lights up the parents.”

Newborns also started getting the blankets a year and a half ago.

“We give them to the newborns and siblings,” Riba said. “It means

so much. We give them to the siblings more like a congratulations

from their new baby, which helps the parents deal with sibling

rivalry.”

On each blanket, there is a hand-sewn tag that reads: “Made with

tender loving care for Project Linus.” It’s a white tag with a

picture of the Peanuts character Linus sucking his thumb.

It’s a comforting sign for a comforting cause. For more

information, call (714) 772-2399.

Story by Suzie Harrison