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CU Boulder students loaded handmade blankets into Project Linus Founder Karen Loukes’ car. Loukes started Project Linus 30 years ago. In that time, Project Linus has distributed more than 10 million blankets across the U.S. and in Canada. Pictured left to right: Maria Goergen, Lauren Everett, Genevieve York, Karen Loukes, Nikolas Abbotts and Madison Cunningham. Photo by Glenn Asakawa/CU Boulder.

Students in CU Boulder’s Service and Social Action Living and Learning Community are making a big impact with a small gesture—handcrafting cozy blankets for children who need comfort the most.

The students handmade 15 fleece blankets and donated them to , a nonprofit that has been providing handmade blankets and afghans to seriously ill or traumatized children for 30 years. Since its founding in December 1995, Project Linus has delivered more than 10 million blankets across the U.S. and Canada, thanks to volunteers known as “blanketeers.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Project Linus and contribute to their mission of bringing comfort to kids,” said Erica Peck, CU Boulder's Service Learning & Impact in Community Engagement (SLICE) program manager for experiential service learning. “This collaboration brings comfort to patients recovering from hip surgery at Sky Ridge Hospital and highlights how small acts of care can support healing.”

“Every blanket represents a gift of love and comfort for a child who needs it most,” said Karen Loucks, who founded Project Linus in Parker, Colorado, and received the student donations. “Seeing students take the time to create these blankets reminds us that compassion truly makes a difference.”

The effort was organized by the Division of Student Life’s SLICE office, which helps students connect with meaningful volunteer opportunities. “SLICE has been serving the Boulder community since 1965,” said Madison Cunningham, coordinator for events and community partnerships. “For 60 years, our students’ dedication to active citizenship has shaped our mission and continues to define who we are becoming.”

“We wanted to find a volunteer opportunity that students could do right here on campus, even with our busy schedules,” said Lauren Everett, a junior studying marketing, environmental studies and sustainable business with a certificate in social responsibility and ethics. Everett is also a part of Peers Activating Leaders in Service, or PALS. “When we discovered Project Linus, it seemed like a great organization to support. Making blankets for children in need felt like a meaningful way to give back, and I’m so glad we were able to connect with them.”

Project Linus works with hospitals, social service agencies and organizations such as Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, Sky Ridge Medical Center and Project Sanctuary, which supports military families. Want to learn more or get involved? Visit .