Blanket A Child in Love

When you walk into a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, you may notice a sea of blankets thrown over the incubators, a parent next to each one, worried, tired, and anxious.  Since the lights are so bright, parents will shield the light a bit with a blanket over the incubator – and in many ways there is an implied “swaddling” in that gesture.  It is a wrapping of that precious little body in every loving way possible, even if the physical act is not yet allowed.

I cannot imagine giving birth, only to find that my delicate little infant not well because she was born too early, or has a birth defect.  And so it is to the babies, AND the parents, that we gift our blankets.  As I described a bit in a previous blog, A Sweet Memory, blankets can come to mean quite a bit to parents as much as to their babies.  There’s nothing like the snuggling warmth of a soft blanket for a parent, as he waits in anticipation of her arrival or his survival.

When I found out about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Dell Children’s Medical Center, I found out immediately whether we could get involved and donate blankets.

If you would like to donate, we will be giving blankets to Dell Children’s Medical Center NICU year round.  You are welcome to leave a message of love with your donation.

May we wrap many babies in hand-made love for years to come.

We are honored to partner with Dell’s Children’s Medical Center to provide blankets to 96 children this winter!

Statistics show that kids heal faster if they are treated in a Children’s Center.  So, Dell’s Children’s Medical Center has taken that very seriously.  Here are a few great things I found out about their facility that make them spectacular and make me proud to support.

1. They believe that no child should be refused care if they are unable to pay for attention.
2. Their children get extra time, care, specialized attention, and compassion.
3. They are the first hospital in the world to achieve Platinum Status under the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council.
4. Their facility is composed of a series of incredible kid friendly spaces.
5. They believe in the healing power of art and nature.

“Throughout the hospital, artwork and sculptures grace the walls and reception areas,” explains Robert Bonar, President and CEO of Dell Children’s. “Since ancient times, art has been used as part of the process of healing. By providing a nurturing setting—whether it’s a piece of artwork, a courtyard or other symbols—we’re able to use these surroundings to join young patients’ spirits, minds and health.”

How can you support Dell’s Children?  What do you have to offer the children that are ill?  Go to our Contribute page to make a donation and Blanket an ill child in Love this winter.

So, it seems my idea to get blankets to children isn’t that original.  Project Linus has been doing it for almost 15 years!  And in that time, they’ve delivered over 3 million handmade blankets to children.  That’s a lot of blankets, and a lot of women sewing, knitting, quilting, and pouring love into each one.

I spoke to a woman from their National Headquarters today, and was touched by a story she told me.  She recounted an incident in which there was a school shooting and someone from the local chapter stopped to deliver blankets to the students that had witnessed the incident.  While she was informed that the blankets weren’t needed – after all, these were teenagers, not small children, she left the blankets in a corner anyway.

Minutes after leaving she got a phone call.  It was someone at the school.  They needed more blankets.  It turned the high school kids had thrown the blankets over their shoulders, sat in a circle, and began opening up about the incident.  The high school kids were asking for more blankets.

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Project Linus is great because they cater to kids of all ages, and so many different types backgrounds and experiences.  Each chapter reaches out to address the needs of their community.  For us this works so well because we don’t know every community as well as someone who lives, interacts, and gives there.  We’re so excited to partner with Project Linus!

We all remember the Peanuts character Linus.  The sweet, incredibly bright boy, with a slight lisp, and a blanket in tow.

For children dreaming of a White Christmas, give not a blanket of snow, but a pale blanket of love.

This year, Baby Girl and I have dedicated our Christmas to blanketing children in love.  These are children, age newborn to 5, that have experienced trauma in their young lives.

Baby Girl and I are blessed.  We have more than we need in a home overflowing with love.  And so, we’d like to pass it along. Will you join us?

You see, it’s not just any blanket.  Not only is there a blankie love story (you can read the story on our About page) woven with each blanket, but each blanket is sent off with a blessing and the intention that the child receiving it forever be blanketed in love.

Every $14.99 received will blanket one child in love, and donations received by December 19, 2009 will blanket children in love this holiday season!

We are dedicated to blanket children in love in as many communities as your donations will allow.

Thank you for joining us in love and joy this Christmas and New Year….