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Wrapping kids in love and comfort

Lisa Kimble didn’t know what to expect when she volunteered to lead a local chapter of Project Linus two years ago, a nonprofit group inspired by the classic PeanutsTM character that gives homemade blankets to children dealing with serious trauma or illness. She just knew there was tremendous need in her community and she wanted to make a difference.

“There are a lot of kids who are facing some really difficult and stressful situations,” Kimble said. “And a blanket is something that means so much to a small child. It means a warm hug.”

Kimble leads the Frederick County, Maryland chapter of Project Linus, which has distributed more than 3,000 blankets in less than two years to children in the greater Frederick area. Often, the children have endured many hardships with little consistency or objects that remind them of safe places. While the names of the blanket recipients always remain confidential, Kimble regularly receives stories and thank you letters about the positive impact the blankets make.

“I had a grandmother tell me a story about her daughter and grandchildren who were in a shelter, hiding from a dangerous domestic situation,” Kimble said. “They were in this very scary and unfamiliar situation. One of the grandchildren called her Nana and was so excited and happy to tell her about the beautiful blanket she just received. Those are the stories that really touch my heart and there are so many like that.”

The blankets also provide comfort to children facing serious illnesses who are often hospitalized and undergoing uncomfortable medical treatments and procedures.

“I was told of a child who had a fever, wasn’t breathing well and the medical staff couldn’t calm her down enough to give her a breathing treatment,” Kimble said. “They gave her one of our blankets and it calmed her down quickly so they could give her the needed medication. That’s pretty powerful.”

“We knew we wanted to help children in our community and Project Linus gave us a perfect opportunity,” said Nikki Gordon, customer service agent at McGriff Insurance Services, a subsidiary of BB&T. “Many of us have kids or grandkids, so we could definitely relate to how a simple blanket can provide kids with a great sense of security and warmth.”

Gordon served as coordinator for her team’s Lighthouse Project, an annual, company-wide community service effort designed to exemplify BB&T’s mission and serve as a beacon of light to neighbors in need. The team of 45 associates organized a “Blanket Making Day” in their cafeteria and completed 30 blankets for the cause with the help of dedicated Project Linus volunteers.

“Our associates loved the mission of Project Linus and the opportunity to do something different and a little crafty,” Gordon said. “Plus, we got to create something that’s going to make a child smile and be happy. What can be better than that?”

“BB&T was the first corporate team we’ve had to host a blanket making project and we couldn’t be happier with how it went,” Kimble said. “Making the blankets is something almost anyone can do, adults and kids. And when a child is hurting, knowing somebody is out there who cares about them means everything.”

It’s Project Linus’ policy to accept blankets of all sizes, depending on local chapter needs. While fleece is the most common blanket material, other fabrics and styles are welcome as long as they are homemade, washable, free of pins, and come from smoke-free environments. Click here for more information, including a list of Project Linus chapters and drop-off locations in your community.

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