“When you think you have hard times; well, think that other people have it even harder.”  This comment was made by Derek Becker, one of the many students from Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center (CCC) that joined forces with Project Linus on a recent community service project.  For this project, Schenck students and staff members made several blankets for children in need.

Project Linus is a nonprofit organization with a mission of providing comforting blankets to children in crisis.  The blankets are given to offer love, warmth, comfort, and a sense of security to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.  Blankets are made by volunteers and then distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, and several other locations where children are in great need.

Project Linus was founded in 1996 by Karen Louck-Baker and started by providing blankets to children with cancer.  Now, Project Linus has chapters in all fifty states.  The local chapter, Carolina Mountains, was founded in Hendersonville in 1999.  Since then, over 40,000 blankets have been given to children in need.  In Transylvania County, blankets have been provided to children who are ill, to the Department of Social Services, the Red Cross, the Children’s Center, SAFE, and the Haven.

For this particular project, two departments from Schenck Job Corps CCC took part in the project, and approximately 28 students got involved.  Bailey Anderegg, the Arts and Crafts Teacher at Schenck Job Corps CCC, led one group of volunteers, and another group was led by Donna McCulloch, Schenck Math Teacher.  The project led by Ms. McCulloch was part of a social skills group in her classroom. 

McCulloch commented:  “No matter what struggles we may be going through, there is always someone who may have it worse and need our help.”  This point was stressed while the students worked on the blankets.  First, they talked about several difficult situations that they’ve had to deal with.  Then they also discussed how this was a great opportunity to give back to someone who is going through similar problems or even more difficult times.

Schenck student Derek Becker was just one student who was very inspired by this project.  He believes that more people should get involved in Project Linus and commented:  “Children are our future, so give a helping hand.”  Pat Crawford, the Transylvania County Coordinator of Project Linus, was very enthusiastic about teaming up with Schenck Job Corps CCC on this project.  “I’m always excited when young people get involved in these projects, because young people are helping other young people,” stated Crawford.