LDS Relief Society in Kansas makes blankets for Project Linus (Volunteers' efforts will help blanket children with comfort)
Topeka KS Capital Journal 24Oct99 D1
By Tim Hrenchir: The Capital-Journal

Project Linus was founded by Karen Loucks-Baker in l995. Loucks-Baker is the wife of jazz drummer, Ginger Baker. After reading a magazine article about a small child who was going through intensive chemotherapy, Loucks-Baker discovered that the patient's security blanket helped them get through their treatments. It was then that Loucks-Baker decided to help cancer patients at a Denver hospital.

Her effort, named after the blanket-toting character from the Peanuts comic strip, has broadened its focus. Project Linus currently has given away more than 120,000 blankets and quilts with chapters in Canada, Mexico, Japan and Australia.

A local effort to benefit Project Linus recently was held with a gathering of woman in Toepka, Kansas who belong to the Relief Society Organization in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They met on Saturday, September 25, at the LDS church's stake center where volunteers cut, assembled and sewed quilts together. Elaine Hatch, leader for Girl Scout Troops 98 and 154 at Christ the King Catholic Church, joined the Relief Society activity which enabled girls from these troops to help other children.

"It looks like we'll have more than 150," said La Dawn Hancock, who coordinated the project. She said the quilts would be donated to Project Linus' main office in Englewood, Colorado and would go "wherever they're needed."