​Joan spoke at our latest meeting



The mission of Project Linus (named after the blanket-towing Peanuts character), mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gift of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”



Philipstown Resident Joan Deneher is a woman on a mission of love and has joined the cause of helping children in dire need.

Joan moved from Ossining to Philipstown with her husband Mickey eight years ago. She worked for many years in financial services, but like many Americans in a slow job market, found herself unemployed. Although she’s actively seeking employment, she needed to keep busy by giving back to others.



On the Project Linus website is a moving description of how the organization was founded: On Christmas Eve 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prizewinning photo-journalist, Eddie

Adams. Part of the article featured a petite, downy-haired child named Laura: “‘Laura has unusual compassion for others,’ Charlotte Barry-Williams of Oceanside, California, says of her daughter, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. ‘I guess part of the reason is that she has experienced so much pain herself.’ A special “blankie” has helped Laura, 3, get through more than two years of intensive chemotherapy. She takes it to the hospital with her when she goes for treatment… Although chemotherapy has helped eradicate the cancer, she has had to endure nausea, high fevers and the loss of her hair… ‘She doesn’t understand what cancer means.’”



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.



Deneher became the caretaker of her two elderly parents a few years back and started to pick up crocheting blankets again. “I needed something to fill up the time.”



Last year after her parents passed, Deneher started to look for other avenues to share her talent. An internet search led her to Project Linus.



After some research Deneher found that there was a Project Linus nearby. She was told the blankets could be knitted, flannel, felted or quilted, they needed to be made with new material, but there should be no large holes that could be hung up on medical equipment, they must be made in a smoke-free environment and should not have any type of chemical smell. Deneher then said enthusiastically “What sizes do you need?” Afterward she went to work and started to furiously crochet as many blankets as she could. She then began to think about reaching out to Philipstown seniors who could pitch in, along with church volunteers.

If blanket making is not your forte; there are other ways you can contribute. A gift card to a store that sells supplies to make blankets could help the cause greatly.



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Supporters and Partners of the Cold Spring Waterfront Improvement Project:

 

The final phase of the Cold Spring project is nearly complete, with the paving stones being replaced around the new railing posts today.  Cold Spring Mayor Seth Gallagher has scheduled a short rededication event at the waterfront this Friday at 6pm.  We expect that Seth will recognize all of the funders and partners in the lighting and railing project, so invite you to join us during this ceremony.  We hope you can attend, and then perhaps enjoy a dinner at one of Cold Spring’s wonderful restaurants.

 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 

Warmest regards, Andy

Andrew T. Chmar

Executive Director

Saturdays Lions Variety Show Shines Spotlight on Clubs Service to Community
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By Alison Rooney

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In its hometown, by name Cold Spring, but in reality all of Philipstown and beyond, the Lions have seen the need for its services rapidly increase since 2008. The CSLC now numbers about 40 strong, and its high school offshoot, known as the Leos, has seen membership gains in recent years as young people become more community service-oriented. This year approximately 40 students have signed on as Leos, under the guidance of high school English teacher Kelly McAvoy.

Read the full article​