News : Project Linus: VS student leads blanket-making effort

Voyagers make blankets for Project Linus.

More than 60 children will receive blankets thanks to VS student Caitlyn Kruckenberg

Members of the VS Voyagers dance team spent much of the time during their team lock-in making blankets.

Voyager Caitlin Kruckenberg led the effort, and her Voyager peers helped make about 20 blankets for the Project Linus organization. Named after the iconic “Peanuts” character who always had his blanket, Project Linus seeks to provide comfort to children via blankets made by volunteers.

“I work with a chapter out of Story County, with a lady named Karen Grote,” says Kruckenberg. “Last summer, I went on a trip to Washington, D.C., and they gave us the opportunity to apply for a service project grant funded by the NRECA and GenerationOn. I was awarded the $500 grant which was matched by my local electric co-op for a grand total of $1000.”

Kruckenberg used those funds to purchase bolts of fleece for tie-blankets.

“I am hoping to make 60 or more blankets,” she said. “Project Linus donates these homemade blankets to children in hospitals with long term illnesses and kids in shelters,etc. The idea behind it is to show love to these children by making homemade blankets. I love the organization's mission and I chose to partner with them to use my $1000 grant. My voyager team helped me make a lot of blankets last night and I have enlisted the help of my family."