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Plano teen raises funds and completes 22 handmade blankets for local children’s charity
By Glynda Lomax
Nov 3, 2009

While local blanketeers shift into high gear to complete blankets for all the children of fallen military heroes attending the Snowball Express National Event being held in Dallas December 9–13 this year, Plano teen Miryam Miller became a young blanketeer herself.

Miryam raised funds for and completed 22 new fleece blankets for her Mitzvah project to donate to Project Linus for ill or traumatized children. She also supplied the fabric for two additional blankets to be completed by her sister Ilana. Miryam and Ilana are the daughters of Lisa and Seth Miller of Plano.

"I have 3 fleece blankets that my Grandma made for me in the last few years and I love them.  When I was researching what to do for my Mitzvah Project, I read the information about Project Linus and thought there were a lot of other kids out there who would love a blanket as much as I did but didn't have a Grandma to make it for them,” Miryam said.

“Every synagogue has its own requirements, but often there is a community service component (we call this a Mitzvah Project - the word mitzvah means commandment - in this context, it is part of the obligation to make the world a better place).  At Congregation Beth Torah where we belong, the children are required to do at least 18 hours of some type of service.  They connect what they choose to do with the meaning of their Bat Mitzvah to them, and talk about this during the ceremony.  In addition, we also highlighted the project and displayed the blankets on the tables at the luncheon following the service,” said Miryam’s mother, Lisa Miller.

Blankets were used in baskets as centerpieces.

“We had the blankets each wrapped in a basket and tied with ribbon to use for the table centerpieces.  We did a write up about Project Linus for each table, and Miryam  spoke to the congregation about what this meant to her during the service – it was very special, and we already have a couple of people who have approached us who are interested in making blankets for their projects!” said Lisa Miller.
"I set my goal at 22 blankets as that is my favorite number - I knew it was a lot but felt so good when I reached my goal and knew that 22 children would have a warm blanket to sleep with.  I asked friends and relatives to donate the money that I used to buy the fabric.  And with extra money I had, I also got my sister involved and she made two blankets to donate also," Miryam said.

"My favorite part of the project was picking out all the great fleece fabric - there were so many awesome patterns and I was making so many blankets, I got to buy them all!" Miryam added.

On October 27,  Theresa Costin, Project Linus Coordinator for Collin/Dallas/Grayson/Rockwall Counties, delivered the 2000th blanket for 2009. Some of the beneficiaries of local Project Linus blankets are: Children’s Medical Centers in Plano and Dallas, Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas, children of fallen soldiers, abused and neglected children, Lion’s Club of McKinney, The Samaritan Inn and Medical Center of McKinney.

Miryam Miller and her Project Linus blankets.

"It was really cool to take these to the quilting store and give these to Theresa to be donated - when she told us that they give over 200 blankets a month to nearby hospitals, I felt good that my donation would make a difference," said Miryam.

“In the era of IPods and computer games, it is wonderful to see children and teens contributing their handmade items to this effort. When Miryam came in with her parents and presented us with her blankets, you could see that she truly cared about the children who would be comforted by them. Her parents beamed as we all spoke about Miryam's accomplishment. Everyone there was touched by the moment and love truly filled the room,” said Theresa Costin.

Anyone interested in donating their time, talents or supplies to Project Linus can contact Coordinator Theresa Costin at 214/383-9140 or go to their website: www.PLDallas.org.  Walk-ins are welcome at all meetings listed on the event calendar.

There are drop off locations available for donated blankets, quilts, afghans and materials.  See the list on www.PLDallas.org under the FAQ tab.

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