Handmade blankets benefit children of abuse

Discount Fabric Warehouse, a longtime supporter of the East Hawaii community, together with Project Linus, the Department of Public Safety and Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii stepped up to provide handmade pillowcases and blankets to the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii.

Often when children are removed from a bad home situation, that child has nothing they can hold on to. Thanks to Bill Miller of Discount Fabric Warehouse, dozens of hand-sewn blankets and pillowcases were donated to the Friends for distribution to keiki in transition.

The colorful printed pillowcases and blankets are intended to lift keiki spirits and make a difficult situation a bit less traumatic.

Project Linus, a national nonprofit that encourages people to make blankets and donate them, is named after the comic strip character Linus from “Peanuts.” Linus was always seen with his security blanket. Project Linus has chapters in all 50 states, with a strong presence on the Big Island led by Kathleen Stacey.

Department of Public Safety adult corrections officer Cyndy Martinez worked with women offenders to make fleece blankets. More blankets from these women are “in the works,” Martinez said.

“Mahalo, Bill Miller, for your support through your generous donations, use of your facilities and your passionate support of our community, specifically, the children who will benefit from the blankets and pillowcases,” said Charlene Iboshi of the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii.

Child abuse and neglect prevention is the Exchange Club’s national project.

For more information about the nonprofit Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii, visit www.fcjcEastHawaii.org.