Good Grief, Linus!
Auburn UCC Church Comforts Children with Blankets
 by By Ms. Patricia Bukoski and Rev. Mark Seifried
What started as a way for one mother to work through her grief has developed into a moving community-wide ministry based at First Congregational UCC in Auburn.
In the few months following her son's death, Carole Murray kept herself busy by making a few blankets. Then she heard about Project Linus, a nationwide non-profit organization that provides blankets of comfort for children in various stages of need -- from neo-natal intensive care to day surgery, from arduous cancer battles to respite from life on the streets or in homeless shelters.
Carole asked her friends from First Congregational Church, UCC in Auburn and other churches in the area if they would like to use some of their spare time to give hope and healing to children in need throughout Central Massachusetts.
Fast forward eleven years and the church is now headquarters for the Worcester Area Chapter of Project Linus, which through the hands of hundreds of volunteers has made more than 21,500 blankets. Blankets have been sewn, knitted and crocheted. They are detailed in every conceivable way. But what they have in common is their labels, which identify them as Project Linus Blankets.
The security these blankets give and the impact they have made on the lives of countless children throughout the United States first began in 1995 as an act of kindness by the founder of Project Linus, Karen Loucks. After reading an article in Parade Magazine which featured a child who stated that her security blanket helped her get through her intensive chemotherapy treatments, Loucks decided to provide homemade blankets to Denver's Rocky Mountain Children's Cancer Center. Today there are nine Project Linus chapters around Massachusetts and four hundred nationwide.
Carole and the gang at First Congregational in Auburn have done a great job evangelizing Loucks' dream. They now have satellite units throughout the region -- in Senior Centers and retirement communities, in other churches, schools, even scout troops. The finished blankets are collected and brought to the church for labeling and distribution. There are probably more than 100 volunteers presently making blankets, and a dozen or so women gather each Tuesday at First Congregational Church in Auburn to bless them before adoption by a deserving child.
Here's what one mother recently wrote to Carole: "I wanted to take a moment to thank Project Linus. My 5-year-old son was born with a cleft palate and has had many operations throughout his young life. Now at 5-years old he was in again and this time very anxious, upset and scared; the older he gets the more he understands and the worse it gets. [As he was checked in for a recent surgery], huge tears streamed down his cheeks. Our nurse presented him with a blanket that was donated by you. It was only day surgery and we brought him home. I watched him rest on the couch with his new blanket. He now is in bed and is very attached to his blanket -- wrapped securely around him. This blanket was the only bright spot in his day and the only thing he asked was, 'Somebody made this blanket for me? Why?' My answer was simple, 'Because someone thought you were special.' As a mother, all I can say is 'THANK YOU.' I appreciate your efforts to reach out to these children that have been through so much! To see his eyes brighten up is more than I can ask for."
Most of the material for the blankets made at First Congregational is donated by a woman who makes hospital uniforms in the area and heard about this ministry. Several of the volunteers also admit to regular shopping binges for material, one saying: "when fabric stores are practically giving the stuff away, we can't pass it up."
Since all the blanket recipients are in the area, local volunteers load them into their vehicles and deliver them to offices, homes, hospitals, etc. The congregation has allocated a room in the back of the church which has its own entrance, ample storage, and a kitchenette. (What kind of ministry would it be without coffee and snacks?)
When asked why they put so much effort into this ministry, volunteers had many reasons. Quite a few are widowed and the handiwork helps them pray and work through their grief in a supportive and loving environment. One woman said she just likes to keep busy. Most shared that they love to know that their craft brings comfort and healing to children and families in desperate times. And another said, "As long as my hands can move and my eyes can see, I'll put them to work for the Lord."
They all seem to agree that it's as good for the volunteers as it is for the babies and children in need. These blankets are sewn and given with unconditional love, talent, dedication and resourcefulness -- all gifts of the Holy Spirit that bring good news to God's people.
Pastor Mark Seifried can be reached at the church office at 508-832-2845 or email Pastor@AuburnFirstUCC.org.
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