GAD project completed, and a few thoughts.

[mom2aidanNpiper]

My son was born at 29 weeks and was given a blanket from Project Linus and some items from our local Preemie Project as well. As a parent under stress during a time like that it's so great to have people care! My DS is now 9 and while still has some "issues" he is my little miracle!

I've been working with both organizations off and on for years and felt a little weird to get something back (we got our GAD vouchers from Proj Linus) Like I was "cheating" in a way. Does that make sense? lol.

 

[LilGMom]

I also had never heard of Project Linus and after the promotion is over I hope that I can get ahold of a chapter closer to me so that I can continue making blankets throughout the year. While I know many people will volunteer one day, get their ticket and never look back I imagine that there are going to be a good number of people that continue to volunteer after this WDW promotion is over.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

We're dropping off our Linus blankets tomorrow. Everyone in our family had such a good time making them (even my non-crafty husband liked it) it was a great bonding time to sit together, chat and work on a project for such a worthy organization. I have to see if there is a local Project Linus group in our area (the org that is listed is about an hour away). We will be making more in the future.

We had a terrific experience, too. My boys and I made flannel quilts with ties that my great-grandmother used to make. It was a nice way to carry on a family tradition and help out some children in need. THe boys thought long and hard about what kind of flannel prints to choose; they wanted to pick something that other boys would think was cool. My DS12 made his entire blanket himself, and DS10 did all the tying after I did the machine sewing. I was so proud of them both.

I'd love to know how you made flannel blankets - do you have pictures and instructions you'd be willing to share?

 

[dburg30]

If you have a hobby lobby around you a lot of times they will have 40% off coupons. Although usually they have their fleece on sale it seems at 30% off, pretty much $6-$7 / yard.

 

[asktriplets]

count us in as another family that participated in Project Linus and really felt like we GOT what the GAD promotion was about!

like others have posted, we, too, received beautiful blankets and quilts while our kiddos were in the NICU. it was touching to know that someone spent their time doing that for us. three of them were quilts with snowmen on them, so they are taken out every winter and displayed.

we're not a praying family, but while we were making these blankets together, we made sure that we spent some of our time thinking of the kids that might benefit from them, and we were hoping they were ok, and wishing them happiness and peace (our version of praying). It was a wonderful experience for our family, and furthered our kids' understanding and practice of empathy for others.

(Oh, and we've since enthusiastically signed up for another service project!)
Take Care,

 

[thunderbird1]

We just picked up our fabric yesterday, and are looking forward to making the blankets. We've always been big into supporting charities and volunteering, so participating in GAD was a no-brainer for us. Like the OP said, one of the best things about it for us is it's raised awareness of other volunteer opportunities in our area. There were so many things I'd never heard of, including Project Linus. I can definitely see us (especially my dd) continuing to make more blankets "just because." It's great to hear from a few people who actually received blankets through the organization, and know that they really do mean something.

Thanks Disney!

 

[sticker231]

We completed our GAD requirements today. We collected goods for a foster care group in NJ. There was a three hour window to drop off the items and we got there early, I was surprised by how many things were already in the collection room. What a win-win program for everyone involved.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

I don't know WHY I stopped looking into the GAD opportunities in our area, but I did. We're leaving in less than 3 weeks for WDW and even if I DID do something now, probably wouldn't be enough time to get the voucher. I have sent an e-mail to Project Linus, though. And I decided that whether I can get the voucher in time or not, I'm still going to make blankets! I haven't crocheted in FOREVER and keep meaning to get my stuff back out. Hoping to find a chapter that will take the crocheted blankets. And then if I get a voucher later, I'll just donate it. Or DH and I are trying to sneak in quick a kid-less trip in this summer....

 

[mirokey]

We turned in 6 blankets on Saturday. It was heart warming to see all the blankets piled up into two vans!

 

[jgraney106]

Our family did 10 blankets for the Linus Project , and so enjoyed doing them. I have saved the contact info that I used to volunteer and sign up ,because I would like to do some throughout the year.It sounds like we are all getting so much more from doing this project that just Disney vouchers.
Just a heads up.......www.Joann.com has the fleece on sale for 50% off, in case you would like to stock up on some for the future. Some is as low as $3.99 and $4.99 a yard.
They do have some Disney "Cars" print there also:
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=zprd_02218329a

 

[discott71]

My kids loved participating in Project Linus - they're 10, 7, and 5 (even though the 5 year old won't get credit). We had so much fun picking out the fleece blankets and they helped with some cutting, but mostly knotting. They kept talking about how "their" blankets were going to keep some less fortunate or sick child warm and safe. The best part was I traced their hands on some colored foam, cut them out and wrapped the blanket in them with some ribbon so the hands were "hugging" the blanket. Then they each wrote on their handprints, "Blanket hugs from me to you...to keep you warm and happy too." Unfortuanately, we do not have a local chapter here, but I can definitely see us doing this again. It really put a lot into perspective for the kids and I think made them appreciate what they have a little bit more.

 

[dburg30]

Woohoo.. Just opened my email, and there was the email from Disney telling me I could print out our vouchers!!!

 

[MagicMomentsMom]

as a mother of a child who has received Project Linus blankets during emergency admissions, THANK YOU! My DD has recv'd blankets and they have continued to be comfort blankets for her, long after her hospital stay. We had never heard of them and were very surprised when the hospital security guard heard my DD crying in pain and distress, he immediately went and brought one back to her. Others were given to her by Child life services when she was admitted for surgeries and health complications. Thank you!

 

[knebel22@frontiernet]

Hoping to find a chapter that will take the crocheted blankets.

The chapter that I did my volunteering took any type of blanket. I'm sure they won't turn away a hand made blanket.

I like others never heard of project Linus. Since volunteering I am going to continue with this worthwhile cause.
My local chapter meets once a month for 2 hours and 2x a year for blanket making days.
Made me feel good. Sorry it took something like this to make me do something.

Denise

 

[hereyago]

What a great thread! Dd11 and I will be doing our GAD volunteering at a local food bank in a few weeks. They have a backpack for kids program. During the week, backpacks are filled with food, then the kids can take these backpacks-not sure yet all the details, but they will have food for the weekend.

I think the Disney GAD program has helped people know about volunteer opportunities that they didnt know about before. Yes, I knew about our local food bank, donate to it, but never knew about the program that we will be helping with.

Dd11 even wants to volunteer for Project Linus on our own, because before GAd, we had never heard about it.