WILTON – Using yards of bright colored fleece, contrasting or matching yarns, and a big crochet hook, volunteers with Project Linus make soft cozy blankets for children in need.

The group of women who meet twice a month in the Collaborative Space in the Second Congregational Church Parish House are sponsored by the church’s Missions Committee and Wilton Community Center.

“The Missions Committee buys the fleece ” Committee Member Stephanie Ouellette said. “We get donations from the Community Center and others.”

Volunteers choose a fleece and yarns. “We crochet around the edges to complete it, make it look nicely finished,” she said.

Everyone is welcome to help, no experience needed, the work is simple.

Six to ten women gather twice a week, Ouellette said. “We’ve made 100 blankets.”

The completed blankets go to Southwest New Hampshire Chapter of Project Linus.

According to Chapter Coordinator Robyn Manley, the chapter distributed over 6,000 blankets last year. Blankets were given to Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Nahua, Brattleboro, Elliot and Concord Hospitals, Feeding Tiny Tummies in Keene, and several youth organizations in Concord.

Project Linus is a national registered non-profit founded in 1995 to address the needs of children in need. There are over 400 chapters nationwide.

The Wilton group meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. Drop in to make a blanket, socialize, and have a cup of tea.

Wilton Community Center is a registered non-profit established several years ago to create a climate of community enrichment, educational, recreational and social opportunities for all ages. Donna Crane is the current president. They can be reached through the official Wilton town website.