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Oak Brook students help others with Project Linus blankets
Third-graders Amelia Cook and Aracelly Baldo of Oak Brook work on tying up the edges on one of the blankets for Operation Linus at Brook Forest School. | Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 29, 2013 2:14AM
OAK BROOK — Brook Forest Elementary School Principal Nina McCabe was proud of the 100 Brook Forest students, and some parents, who volunteered Friday to make 22 blankets for others through Project Linus.
“I’m so proud that they wanted to do this and help others,” McCabe said. “Our kids were really excited about doing this.”
This was the first time Brook Forest students participated in Project Linus.
A national organization based in Bloomington, Ill., Project Linus’ mission 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, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer ‘blanketeers,’” according the organization’s website, www.projectlinus.org.
Project Linus also seeks to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.
The group has distributed more than four million blankets since its inception in 1995.
“We wanted to have our kids go outside of the community and do something, especially for children,” said Assistant Principal Lisa Owen, who coordinated the effort.
Fifth-grader Matthew Rajan said he was glad he participated.
“I like helping people, especially when it’s other kids,” he said.
Fellow fifth-grader Mia Gaddis agreed.
“I know people my own age are struggling, and it’s the least we can do to try to help a little,” she said.
