Amazing Kids! of the Month

Each month, we showcase kids who are accomplishing amazing things. We hope that by telling their special stories, we will inspire other kids to accomplish their own amazing achievements.

With Winter fast approaching, and record low temperatures in many parts of the United States, who wouldn't love cuddling up under a nice warm blanket? This month's Amazing Kids! of the Month understand just how nice it is to have a warm blanket of one's own, and they're determined to make sure that other kids less fortunate than themselves have a snuggly blanket of their own this Winter too.

Read the inspiring story about Project Linus New Jersey's Youth Volunteers below and who knows? Perhaps the giving spirit of the season will move you to make some of your own blankets, to help warm some children needing a little extra love and comfort this season!

And don't forget, if you, or a young person (or persons!) you know, has an amazing project you are involved in, or a special skill, talent or ability you want to tell the world about, be sure to let Amazing Kids! know about it! Teachers are invited to nominate their entire classroom and the amazing projects they are working on too! Simply complete a nomination form for an Amazing Kid! of the Month award, or email us!

About Project Linus New Jersey

In their Own Words: Project Linus N. J. Youth Volunteers

How to Contact Project Linus New Jersey

Related Links

Project Linus New Jersey (PLNJ) began as a local county chapter of the national Project Linus organization based in Bloomington, Illinois. The organization's dedicated director, Hillary Roberts, started a chapter in her local Monmouth County area of New Jersey after reading about the inspiring work and mission of Project Linus in a popular woman's magazine. That was nearly six years ago. Since that time, amazing Hillary has grown the organization into a stand-alone statewide non-profit in New Jersey with nearly 4,000 volunteers helping to make blankets each year!

It is especially inspiring to note that Project Linus NJ, Inc. is a 100% volunteer-run charitable organization. Their outreach is throughout the state of NJ, and includes partnerships with national and international child-based relief organizations.

Each year, over 3,800 dedicated “blanketeers” create original, handmade blankets, preemie sets for fragile newborns and hand crafted toys for children suffering serious illness and trauma.

Recipients of the blankets include hospitals, cancer treatment facilities, clinics and homeless shelters, hospice, and behavioral clinics where children from birth to 17 years of age are receive the comfort and love a “made from the heart” blanket provides.

Inspired by the Peanuts character, Linus Van Pelt, who carries his security blanket with him wherever he goes, Project Linus NJ, Inc. believes that every child has the right to feel secure in the world. The group considers themselves "partners in healing, on a mission of hope."

What makes Project Linus New Jersey even more special, is that since the year 2000, over 4,000 school-age children have participated in the program! Wow! This shows how kids really can make a difference in the world! For kids looking to make a difference, volunteering for an organization like Project Linus is a great example of one of the ways they can help.

Amazing Kids! is proud to honor these hard-working, caring youth volunteers from Project Linus New Jersey as our December 2004 Amazing Kids! of the Month. We think you are all truly amazing!

Youth clubs and service groups create quilts for PLNJ! Share your time and talents!

Project Linus New Jersey has received numerous awards and honors, both locally and nationally, including:

The Russ Berrie “Making A Difference” Award, the Trenton Thunder & Tyco International “Community Spotlight” Award, a “Daily Points of Light” Award, and was a Nonprofit Award Winner for the “2001 International Year of the Volunteer” in Washington, D.C., among many other honors. For a complete list, visit their Awards page on their website at: www.blankiedepo.org/awards.html

School-wide participation under service learning programs engage students of all ages!
Pictured here: Nut Swamp Elementary School during their monthly service club

"When we first read about Project Linus NJ, it just touched our hearts. My daughter and I enjoyed working together to create the blankets that we knew would be going to lovely newborns. Volunteerism is giving of yourself to help others. We hope other people become inspired to do the same. We are grateful for the opportunity to be of assistance. Thank you!" --Joanne Murnane & her daughters

"After learning about the countless children who long for security and comfort, I know that PLNJ and their wonderful cause has encouraged my outlook on volunteerism. I try to help any cause I feel can make a difference for the less fortunate people in the world. Because of PLNJ, I have learned that helping these less fortunate people can have a great effect on the way I go about living my life. I feel I have become a stronger person on the inside because I was able to give so much to the people that have so much less than we do. From my experience with PLNJ, I would like to encourage everyone to donate something such as a piece of fabric to a blanket to PLNJ. I have learned that volunteers are considered "heroes" to all of the children who are able to hold a blanket in their hand and know they are safe. I know now just donating something can make a difference and I will ask everyone to strive to make a difference no matter how big or how small you go about doing it." -Brianna Sas, 15 yrs old

"Being involved with PLNJ has made me feel that I'm contributing back into the community. Making wonderful friends along the way. Especially giving children a blanket of hope. (Bonus: I also learned how to crochet)." -Cathy Zanetich

"Earlier in the year I had made a quilt for my six year old niece who had a cancerous brain tumor. After completing it and seeing how much she enjoyed it, I decided to make a quilt for another sick child. It is a way to give them something special while they are going through a tough time. Project Linus NJ provides me with this opportunity." -Mary Miller

"Junior Girl Scout Troop 1832 from Wall Township, NJ made blankets and Thank You cards for you at our meeting yesterday. You're all doing wonderful work and we are happy to help." -Susan Peckman Troop Leader

"We successfully completed our service event last Saturday decorating muslin squares and making friendship bracelets. The participating children loved the idea of doing something for hospitalized kids."
-Americorps Leader from Children for Children/NYC

"The fifth graders will participate in the project as part of our school's student government committment and the second graders will participate as "sewing buddies" with the older students. We will try to plan our calendar around your needs. " -Adele Hagadorn Grade 5 teacher, Riverside School, Princeton, NJ

"It's always great to read the e-mails and hear about all the interesting things that are coming up at PLNJ. The group that I began at my high school would love some of the cotton fabric that you mentioned in a recent e-mail. So if there still is a little bit left we would love to know. We look forward to hearing from you again and are anticipating a bunch of blankets to be donated this coming school year. Thank you again!" -Rebecca Pomerantz

"Last year my class made a quilt on the periodic table. We donated it to PLNJ. Our students were very excited to know their quilt had helped another teenager. This year's class is about to begin the quilt project." -Charre Todd, Norman Junior High, Arizona

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If you'd like to get involved, or get more information about Project Linus New Jersey, email the director, Hillary Roberts at: director@blankiedepo.org