San Jose Chapter - Project Linus

Our Mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of NEW HOMEMADE WASHABLE blankets and lovingly created by volunteer blanketeers.

On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled Joy to the World appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist, Eddie Adams. Part of the article featured a petite, downy haired child. She had been going through intensive chemotherapy and stated that her security blanket helped her get through the treatments.

After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver's Rocky Mountain Children's Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.

Project Linus has delivered over ONE MILLION security blankets to children around the world. With 353 chapters in the United States, our organization continues to supply blankets to children in need. Although Project Linus originally donated blankets to pediatric cancer patients, recipients now include any child who is seriously ill or traumatized in some way -- in other words "children in need of a big hug."

Our Chapter

Our Chapter serves the Northern California South Bay Area. Our Chapter headquarters is located in San Jose.

Terrie Madruga signed up for a quilting class at the Sewing Machine Center on Aborn in the Evergreen Area. She learned how to make a 'Bug' Quilt for her son. After her success in making a quilt, Terrie thought 'If I can make a quilt, anyone can make a quilt'. After searching the Internet for a charity that accepts handmade blankets, Terrie discovered Project Linus and found that there was not a chapter in our area. Terrie and three of her co-workers, started the chapter on April 12, 2002.

In May of 2003 Terrie moved from the San José area and Lisa Swarthout assumed the role of Area Coordinator and continued through Mid-October of 2003. At that time, Dolores Wright became the Chapter Coordinator.