"Providing security through blankets"

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

05.05.2011

Story by Sgt. Kissta DiGregorio 

82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Since 1995, over three million hand-made blankets have been distributed all over the country to children who have been affected by illness, injury or trauma. Seventy-five of these blankets have been donated to 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade to be given to soldiers’ children as needed while the unit is deployed in support of Operation New Dawn.

Pat Weber, the Sandhills/Moore County, N.C. chapter coordinator of Project Linus, and chapter members visited the 2/82 headquarters to deliver the blankets in person, May 3. Project Linus is a volunteer, non-profit organization and members raise money to pay for the material to make the blankets. They donate blankets to about 20 different agencies in the area, including Womack Army Medical Center, the Fort Bragg Fisher House, temporary housing for families of soldiers undergoing rehabilitation at WAMC, and the local sheriff’s office.

One special blanket, fleece with knotted fringe, was presented to the 2/82 commander, Col. Timothy McAteer. It was made by developmentally challenged adults from the Action Club of Moore County.

Weber said some members of the Action Club lacked the manual dexterity necessary to make knots on the blanket, but with a little help each member was able to make at least one knot.

“Our blankets are usually more uniform, but this one is different. Each knot is different, but special,” Weber said. “Anyone can volunteer to be a ‘blanketeer’. Our youngest blanketeer is four years old, while our oldest is 102.”

McAteer presented a certificate of appreciation to Weber, and thanked her and the chapter members for their dedication to the project and helping those in need, particularly the children of the 2/82 paratroopers.

Anyone interested in becoming involved in Project Linus, contact Weber at [e-mail] or for more information visit the organization’s website at www.projectlinus.org.

• Date Taken: 05.05.2011
• Date Posted: 05.05.2011 10:48
• Story ID: 69885
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US