Project Linus West Central Coast of Florida

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.

BLANKETING KIDS WITH LOVE

Written by Jackie Minnii from the Island Reporter

"There's nothing like a security blanket to make a child feel safe and snug, and nobody knows this better than Judy Fielding of Tierra Verde. Judy belongs to Project Linus, an organization that provides handmade blankets and afghans to help comfort children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Project Linus, named

for the Peanuts character who made the security blanket a household term, is a 100% volunteer, non-profit group composed of dedicated "Blanketeers" whose loving creations have brought comfort to over 1,800,000 children worldwide. Project Linus began in 1995 after a Denver woman read about a little girl undergoing chemotherapy whose security blanket helped her through the ordeal. The organization has grown to include over 397 chapters throughout the United States. Last year, the group was named by Parents Magazine as one of "Ten Children's Charities that Deserve Your Support.''

Judy Fielding, a former nurse at All Children's Hospital, best learned about Project Linus seven years ago after the death of her daughter, Margie. Judy threw herself into sewing, her favorite pastime, to help her deal with her grief. She heard about the Blanketeers while taking quilting classes at A Creative Embroidery Shop in St.

Petersburg and felt that this would be the perfect project for her. Judy joined the West Central Coast chapter, and last January took the helm as Chapter Coordinator. Since then, the chapter has given out over 3,000 blankets to such organizations as the Police Victims Assistance Program, All Children's Hospital, the Guardian ad Litem Program, hthe Ronald McDonald House, Pinellas County "Help a Child," and the Salvation Army. Blankets are also given to children of deployed military. "We donate blankets for the MacDill Christmas Party," said Judy. "We also sent blankets to a town in Alaska where all the men were called up to go to the Middle East." Patriotically-themed blankets are given to children of fallen heroes. "'This is something I really don't like to think about but it's a necessary part of my position."

With so many children in need of comforting. Judy is kept very busy. She has even enlisted the aid of daughter Dianne Salafia, granddaughter Melissa, and Bob, her husband of 48 years. "It's really a family project" Judy also gets help from volunteers from Brooksville to Bradenton. Brooksville Helping Hands and seniors from Embassy

Residence in New Port Richey meet every Thursday to make blankets. The Brooksville Kiwanis Club donates funds and sewing supplies. Even teens have gotten into the spirit: Florida Top Dogs, a competitive cheerleading group in Largo, made blankets as their service project. But more help is still needed. "We always need more blanketeers, and we can always use donations for supplies."

A blanket may seem like a small thing, but it can make a world of difference to a frightened, unhappy child. And with any luck, there will always be caring people like Judy Fielding ready to blanket those children with love.