WARREN Drawing will reward Project Linus donors

The blankets go to ill or traumatized children.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Donate a homemade blanket for an ill child, and get a chance to win a sewing machine.
For the second year, Domestic Sewing Center, Youngstown Road, is participating in Project Linus, a program that collects homemade blankets for children.
Last year, the first year Domestic Sewing Center participated, the center donated 400 blankets that were distributed at Forum Health Tod Children's Hospital and a hospice for children in Youngstown.
"Our goal this year is 500," said Linda Fabrizio of the center. "We have 456 now."
Project Linus was started nine years ago by a Colorado woman after she read a magazine article about a little girl undergoing chemotherapy. The child said her security blanket helped her through the treatments.
The organization donates blankets to ill or traumatized children from infancy to age 18.
The sewing center will have a drawing Saturday for a free Janome sewing machine valued at about $950.
Each donated blanket means a chance to win.
Requirements for blankets
"They have to be homemade and washable," Fabrizio said. "They can be blankets, quilts, crocheted -- anything, anything that will keep a child warm or provide a child some comfort."
The center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Saturday's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blankets or materials to make them may be dropped off during business hours.
Donations are welcome all year, even after the drawing, Fabrizio said.
Last year's Project Linus prompted a group of women to continue their blanket-making efforts year-round.
The group of 12 to 20 women meets monthly at the center to make the cuddly creations.
"The end result is, we get the blankets out for the kids who need them," she said.