One local woman has shown the spirit of giving back after donating a prize she won from the Lindsay Thurber fundraising auction recently.
Cyndi Ramsfield was the winner of a quilt made and donated to a school fundraising raffle from the Pathways class at Lindsay Thurber.
After learning about Project Linus, Ramsfield decided the quilt she won would be better off going to someone in need, so she donated the beautiful quilt to the project.
“I won the quilt and just two days after I read the article on Project Linus and thought that this is where this quilt needed to go. So I contacted Angie and I wanted her to meet the students that made the quilt when we presented it to her,” said Ramsfield.
Each year the Pathways class makes a quilt to sell at a raffle to help raise money for different causes. This year the school raised $200 for the Red Deer SPCA, the food bank, and a school project Kenya.
Judy Windrim, teacher of the Pathways class said they are very excited that their quilt will be going to a good cause and said the students do a great job with the quilt.
“We have to do a lot of hand-over-hand sewing and then one student helped me finish it but it is kind of fun to see them put something together and they are proud of the project and proud of the fact that they can give money to charities. They do understand the concept of giving back so it is a fun thing to do,” said Windrim.
“Its wonderful that Cyndi donated the quilt to Project Linus because it gives us a legacy and the kids can be proud of something they have done.”
There are about 13 students in the Pathways class and they help choose the charities they wish to give to.
“I am really excited for the kids and we were excited how it turned out and it’s great to see it being given to something worthwhile,” said Windrim.
Project Linus first began in 1995 after an article was written in Parade Magazine on a young girl undergoing chemotherapy in the United States. She was given a blanket during her treatment. In the article she explained how the blanket gave her strength. Karen Loucks-Baker read the young girls’ story and began making blankets and donating it to the Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center in Denver. Project Linus was born.
It was named for the Peanuts character Linus who carries around his security blankee.
Since the beginning Project Linus has given away four million blankets to children in need. Project Linus chapters are all over Canada and the United States.
Angie Garcia, chapter coordinator for Project Linus Red Deer is grateful for the donation and says the quilts story will live on.
“It’s a wonderful donation and we appreciate it very much. It is a beautiful quilt and especially made from special children like the Pathways class. It is very wonderful,” said Garcia.
The quilt will be either going to either the Central Alberta Women’s Shelter or the Ronald McDonald House in Red Deer.
“It’s a good story and it’s a beautiful blanket and has the colours of the school as well as deer to symbolize Red Deer. It is a great conversation piece,” said Garcia.
Garcia began heading up Project Linus Red Deer at the beginning of December and so far they have distributed 56 blankets to those in need.
On March 21st, Project Linus Red Deer will be hosting a charity auction held at the Sheraton, which will be their first major fundraiser.
Garcia continues to look for new ‘blanketeers’ and people willing to donate supplies for blankets or made a cash donation (receipts are available). For more information visit http://projectlinus.yolasite.com or email projectlinusrd@gmail.com.
tsigurdson@reddeerexpress.com
