Holland America Line partnered in the donation of 85 blankets and 50 hats to the Seattle chapter of Project Linus Friday, June 1, aboard ms Amsterdam while the ship was in Seattle. Linda Lane, the local head of the Seattle chapter, accepted the donations that were knitted by a group of volunteer “blanketeers” during the 2012 Grand World Voyage aboard ms Amsterdam.
Project Linus provides new, handmade blankets, afghans and hats to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need. Many of the blankets and hats will be given to the Ronald McDonald House by Project Linus, adding to Holland America Line’s long-standing support of the charity that helps families with sick children.
The onboard effort to knit as many blankets and hats as possible during the 112-day voyage was organized by Holland America Line guest and Project Linus volunteer Arna Lewis, from Seattle, Wash. David Coleman of Toccoa, Ga., led blanket-making efforts after Lewis departed the ship. Lewis’ son Rick, also from Seattle, attended the donation presentation in her stead.
During each sea day the “Sit and Knit” group of more than 50 guests got together to knit squares, hats and blankets. Both seasoned and novice knitters took part in the effort, including ship captain Jonathan Mercer’s wife, Karen.
On a previous Grand Asia Voyage in 2010, Lewis organized another group that knitted 120 hats and 38 blankets that went to hospitals and cancer patients in the Seattle area through Project Linus. Coleman has made plans to continue a Project Linus effort on next year’s Grand World Voyage, departing January 5, 2013, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Source: Holland America
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