The local chapter of Project Linus reached a milestone recently, handing out its 3,000th blanket to someone in need.

The organization's mission is to provide blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need, Flathead chapter coordinator Laurale Scott said.

In the Flathead Valley, the blankets are provided to a number of agencies and institutions, including local hospitals, the Samaritan House homeless shelter, Sinopah House, Red Cross offices in Lake, Lincoln and Flathead counties, the state Office of Public Assistance, Child and Family services, Family Health Services and The Abbie shelter for women and children.

Volunteers, called "blanketeers" make a variety of fleece blankets, quilts and knitted or crocheted afghans.

"The quilts we get are such a hit," said Diana Lamers, a family resource specialist who works with local foster and adoptive parents at Child and Family Services. "Every time a child goes into care, they get to pick out a blanket."

Project Linus is made up of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States.

More than two million blankets have been given to children since its inception in 1995. The Flathead chapter has been in operation since November 2002.

It all began on Christmas Eve, 1995, when an article titled "Joy to the World," by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Eddie Adams appeared in Parade Magazine. According to the Project Linus Web site, part of the article featured a petite, downy-haired child who had been going through intensive chemotherapy and said her security blanket helped her get through the treatments.

After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver's Rocky Mountain Children's Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.

Linus is the popular character in Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip who always has his security blanket with him.

Anyone interested in becoming a blanketeer may call Scott at 854-9999 or e-mail her at [email protected].

For more information about Project Linus, go to the Web site www.projectlinus.org.