Marden’s Delivers Over 100 Hand-Made Quilts to TAMC for Pediatric Patients

Staff members from the Presque Isle Marden’s store delivered over 100 hand-made quilts to the women and children’s unit at A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital on Thursday.

The blankets, made by local quilters, including team members working in the fabric department at the local Marden’s will be given to infants and pediatric inpatients at TAMC.

The donation is part of Project Linus, a national campaign that collects homemade blankets that are given to severely ill children from infancy to age 18.  The organization has a strong base of support in Maine, and the central Aroostook chapter is one of seven in the State.  More than 120 crafters have participated in the project.

“Marden’s has been involved with Project Linus for a number of years. It’s a cause we feel is very important,” said Doug Clifford, Presque Isle Marden’s store manager.  “We are passionate about helping area children have the most comfortable hospital stay possible.”

Marden’s Fabric Supervisor Debbie Cyr loves Project Linus.  “It helps others and the quilters enjoy giving,” she said. “One Washburn quilter donated 50 quilts last year and another quilter created as many as 12 each month.  We celebrate their generosity at Marden’s on Blanket Day in September by providing snacks, drawings, and fabric incentives for their labors of love.  It is a wonderful community project that benefits local families.”

The goal of Project Linus is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need, through the gift of new handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly made by the volunteer “blanketeers.”

“Being able to give our inpatients a blanket, whether a newborn or young person, provides a sense of comfort and security that they can keep with them throughout their stay and beyond,” said Pam Lilley, TAMC’s women and children’s health unit manager.  “We enjoy passing on the blankets.  It brings a smile to their faces during a tough time in their lives or when wrapping a precious new delivery of life.”

To find out more information about Project Linus donations, local chapters, or to connect with other “blanketeers” visit www.projectlinus.org.