On Feb. 16, the Hilo Chapter of Project Linus was presented with 21 new, handmade children’s blankets created by female offenders at Hale Nani (Hawaii County Correction Center).
On Feb. 16, the Hilo Chapter of Project Linus was presented with 21 new, handmade children’s blankets created by female offenders at Hale Nani (Hawaii County Correction Center).
Adult Corrections Officer Cyndy Martinez guided the women involved in the contribution to Project Linus, which provides blankets to children in need. To date, the volunteer organization has donated about 4,000 blankets throughout the state. Many go to Child Welfare Services in East and West Hawaii, serving keiki who need a security blanket (such as Peanuts character Linus) to get them through times of family crisis.
Blankets also are donated to Hospice of Hilo for bereaved children and to the Salvation Army.
Bill Miller from Discount Fabric House provided the fabric and sewing tools, and Charlene Iboshi of the Going Home Consortium coordinated the Hale Nani project. Kathleen Stacey, Project Linus coordinator, and her team tagged the blankets and will distribute them.
“With a generous and compassionate business and the help of service organizations, offenders can make contributions that restore hope for the children and community,” Iboshi said.
For more information about Project Linus, visit plhi.shutterfly.com.