First Quarter Newsletter 2016
CHAPTER COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE
Here's hoping that each of you are feeling spring fever and it isn't only me. What a wonderful time to stand outside and see the trees starting to bud, the first flowers showing off their pretty colors, the birds returning and of course the yellow pollen that soon will be upon us, tempting us to write our names in it. To enjoy the good we must accept the uncomfortable.
This is to remind you it is time to celebrate together with our Volunteer Appreciation Tea. I look forward to seeing you there. It will be Friday, May 20th at the Lutheran Church of the Nativity located at the intersection of Hendersonville Road and Airport Road. The hours will be 2:00 until 4:00. We have many special things planned and to name a few: there will be a therapist from Perfect Balance Physical Therapy to share proper posture and other ergonomic tips related to sewing, Roger Winchell will join us and share his retirement journey from an engineer to an award winning quilter, special games are planned with lots of prizes and of course we will have our craft faire with items from some of our very talented "blanketeers". You noticed that I haven't mentioned goodies..... that goes without saying. A reservation is a must!!!!!! Your special invitation is enclosed and you will notice a new option for RSVP's. If you chose you can let us know that you are coming by using our special email address: ProjectLinuswnc@gmx.com. Thanks to Ennis Julian for setting this up for us.
FACEBOOK GROUP
I mentioned in the last newsletter that Ennis has started our face book page as a way to share tips, projects, and communications. It is called Project Linus WNC and is a fun way to keep in touch. It is a unique way to share, so give it a try.
MAKE A BLANKET DAY
Buncombe County held its annual Make a Blanket Day on Saturday March 12th at Eliada Home. This was a wonderful event attended by over 75 folks, all anxious to join in on making blankets. The sewing machines were busy whipping out quilts, scissors were working overtime cutting those popular fleece blankets, and our circle of those knitting and crocheting keeps getting larger every year as they work on projects and share tips and patterns. Many blankets were brought in that day so it is difficult to know how many were actually made, but over 125 blankets went into inventory. Thanks to Sharon Waltman, Buncombe County Contact Person, for a job well done. We were all concerned when she took a tumble, but thankfully, other than being bruised and sore, she was fine. We had nine wonderful volunteer's join us from Kohl's Department Store. Their associates do such a fabulous job of working so hard taking care of any and all tasks at hand and then reward us with a $500.00 grant.
AMAZON SMILE
There are many ways to support Project Linus other than making blankets. Amazon Smile is a simple and automatic way, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com you will find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com. with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from many organizations to support. To make sure that your purchase benefits Project Linus you can click through the link on our National homepage at projectlinus.org or you can go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer.
BOOKS FOR GOOD
This wonderful used book store located at 50 Heritage Park Drive in Fletcher is once again accepting good quality books. They have been a major supporter of Project Linus through their book sales. For those that aren't familiar with the way in works: you donate your books letting them know that Project Linus is your non- profit and when the books are sold our chapter receives a portion of the sale. In the one and a half year that they have been doing this we have received over $1000.00. Thanks go to you as you have been turning in first rate books in good condition. Books that sell well are Bibles and books about them, history (especially about the Civil War), cars, crafts (especially quilting, and DVD'S. Books on politics, self-help, economics, weight loss, and parenting do not sell!!!! They do not accept encyclopedias, magazines, VCR tapes and Reader's Digest Condensed Books. You can drop your donations at their huge store during the hours of 12-5 Monday thru Friday or Saturday 10-2. We can also collect them at our monthly work session.
THROUGH THE NEEDLE'S EYE
The local chapter of the Embroiderer's Guild of American is sponsoring a National Exhibit through May 8th at the Folk Art Center of the Southern Highland Craft Quilt, Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway. This exhibit features over 70 creations representing the best in artistic and technical works created using a needle with an eye. Well worth your time to check it out.
MISSION HOSPITAL CRAFT LADIES
Many of our "blanketeers" participate in the Mission Hospital Volunteer craft program, where they make items to be used throughout the hospital: busy aprons for dementia patients, cough pillows, and surgery dolls, just to name a few. As you are spring cleaning and find some of the following items, please think about recycling them to this group: wooden spools, zippers, fabric trim, large buttons, Velcro scraps.
If you would like to be on our email list, send your request to Helen McConnell at jhmcconnell@bellsouth.net.
National web site: www.projectlinus.org
Local web site: www.projectlinusofwnc.org
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE, BUT A LITLE CHOCOLATE NOW AND THEN DOESN'T HURT.
Charles M. Schulz
BLANKET DROP OFF SITES
Asheville:
A.C. Moore Craft Store
River Ridge Shopping Center
Hendersonville:
Grace Lutheran Church
1245 Sixth Avenue, West
Joann Fabrics of Hendersonville
Blue Ridge Mall
1800 Four Seasons Blvd. (leave at the cutting counter)
Mars Hill
Make It With Yarn
635-6 Carl Eller Road
First QUARTER STATISTICS
In Out
January 297 378
February 307 329
March 436 313
1st Quarter Totals: 1040 1020
With these latest numbers. Our local chapter has now distributed 57,298 blankets!
Number of knitted dolls donated and distributed this quarter: 230
Weighted blankets donated to date: 796
CONTACTS:
Chapter Coordinator
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Buncombe County Contact
Sharon Waltman 828-645-7190
Cherokee, Clay, and Graham County Contact
Pam Carman 828-321-4172
Haywood County Contact
Mariam Howell 828-456-5154
Henderson County Contact
Helen McConnell 828-890-3067
Jackson and Macon County Contact
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Madison County Contact
Sandy Burns 828-734-1261
Mitchell County Contact
BettyAltman 828-765-2526
Transylvania County Contact
Pat Crawford 828-883-8746
Yancey County Contact
Asta Jeffcoat 828-682-4373