MACON, Ga. — Project Linus is a non-profit organization in Macon that provides security through blankets.
Blanketeers of Project Linus's Macon Chapter have made over 98,000 blankets in their 20 years.
Their goal is to give handmade blankets to kids and families in need.
For many, these blankets last a lifetime.
Kids undergoing cancer treatment, in domestic violence situations, in the foster care system, or in other situations are given a security blanket made for them and made with love.
Joan Anderson is the coordinator and says they are putting something of themselves into the blankets.
"It's just that feeling of being connected at the worst possible time," Anderson said. "We serve from the neo-natal little pounders up in the NICU all the way to 19. Any time that you have lost your mom or lost your dog or whether you have a broken arm or a broken home, it doesn't matter, we will give you a hug in the form of a blanket."
Austin Sturdivant is a sergeant for The Salvation Army.
Sturdivant says he comes from humble beginnings, so seeing these kids receive the blankets as a form of safety during a time when they feel the most vulnerable is a full-circle moment for him.
"To be able to hand a child a blanket and say somebody loved you enough to make this for you, it makes a world of a difference," Sturdivant said. "Somebody that they don't even know is there to provide them that hug. These blankets that Project Linus makes, they don't know who they're going to and they don't care as long as they're going to someone in need."
Heather Trescott is a child specialist at Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital.
Trescott says her job is to make these kids feel safe and comfortable, and the blankets can give kids the big warm hug they need.
"The hospital is no place that a child asks to be in and it can be a very scary environment," Trescott said. "Having a blanket that is beautiful and that has superheroes on it or unicorns or whatever they love, it immediately kind of puts them at ease and makes them feel comforted and loved. The fact that somebody made it for them that doesn't even know them and they took the time to put that love into it and make it is just so unbelievably special."
Project Linus Macon chapter collected 405 blankets on Saturday to distribute to the kids at Atrium Health Navicent and The Salvation Army.
Their next goal is to collect blankets for kids during Christmas.
For ways to contribute or donate, you can visit their website at www.ProjectLinus.org.