Hand-Tying Blankets For Needy Kids:
College Student-Athletes To Hold Blanket-Tying Bee Dec. 6

AURORA, Ill.-- Aurora University student-athletes invite the public to join them in hand-tying fleece blankets for children in need on Dec. 6.

The university's fourth annual "Blanket Lunch Hour" is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, in the University Banquet Hall in

Alumni Hall at 1410 Marseillaise Pl. in Aurora.

The public is invited to help hand-tie blankets or to donate fleece, completed blankets, or funds for materials.

Completed blankets will be donated to the Elgin-based Fox Valley chapter of Project Linus, a national non-profit group that provides new, handmade blankets to children in need.

The event is sponsored by AU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), 30 student-athletes, cheerleaders, and athletic training majors. They will teach visitors how to make the trendy, no-sew fleece blankets popular with crafters.

Students will also distribute written instructions for assembling blankets from pieces of fleece fabric.

Last year, volunteer blanket-makers crafted 50 blankets. AU student-athletes tying blankets typically include men and women basketball, soccer, football, and other Spartan athletes.

Blanket-makers are requested to bring their own materials. A limited supply of donated fabric will also be available.

Stevie Baker-Watson, AU head athletic trainer and SAAC advisor, said, “An NCAA grant will help us purchase fleece, but donations are always welcome.”

Project Linus background Founded in 1995, the Bloomington, Ill.-based Project Linus is a 100-percent volunteer non-profit organization. Its 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 afghans, lovingly created by volunteers.

Volunteer blanket-makers are called blanketeers.

Project Linus accepts blankets of all sizes, depending on the needs of the local chapters. All styles of blankets are welcome,

including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors.

For information, call 630-844-5114.

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