About Us
Project Linus National Headquarters is located in Belton, Missouri. National President Patty Gregory and Vice President Mary Balagna direct and orchestrate the activities of Project Linus chapters located across the United States. Patty has been involved with the organization in the Kansas City area since April 2000 and Mary in Central Illinois since late 1998, as chapter coordinators and now as directors and officers. Mary also maintains a very busy chapter, donating an average of 350 blankets every month to local children. With chapters in all 50 states, Project Linus continues to grow. Blankets are collected locally and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug.
Rarely a month goes by that Project Linus is not featured in a local or national magazine or program. Parade, People, Reader’s Digest, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, Quiltmaker, Quilters Newsletter, Guidepost, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day and many others have helped to spur interest. You may have seen or heard segments about Project Linus on your local newscast.
Our Origin Story
On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning 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. When she was first diagnosed, 97 percent of her bone marrow contained cancerous cells. Although chemotherapy has helped eradicate the cancer, she has had to endure nausea, high fevers and the loss of her hair. An allergic reaction at one point caused her to lose vital signs.
“She doesn’t understand what cancer means,” her mother says. “She’s a very joyous and happy person, very curious.” Her mother hopes Laura can start preschool next spring.
After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide new handmade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.
Our Mission
Provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
Provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.
Our Goals
- To maintain and exceed the current level of quality service and compassion, despite unprecedented growth, for the children and families receiving new handmade comfort across the country.
- To sustain and support the over 300 chapter coordinators, and newly formed chapters through ongoing training, communication and appreciation efforts.
- To remain responsive and grateful to an estimated 80,000 volunteers nationwide.
- To secure funding to support the general operating expenses and program services of the organization, thus providing opportunity for the fulfillment of our mission.
- To concentrate full effort and energy on the mission of Project Linus.
Meet Us
Board of Directors
Project Linus is governed by a board of directors who assist us in all aspects of the national organization.
Patty Gregory
President / Chief Executive Officer
Patty has been an active participant and supporter of Project Linus for many years and has served as the Chapter Coordinator for the greater Kansas City area since April 2000. She brings additional skills from previous employment experiences in managerial and customer service positions as well as many years of leadership service in community organizations. Patty was the recipient of the Victor Spies Foundation volunteer manager of the year award in 2003 and a Community Service award from Children’s Mercy Hospital in 2010. Before taking on this position she owned and operated her own successful small business in the Kansas City area. She enjoys the avid support of her husband, John, in her new role. Patty is mom to Lindsey and Joseph and grandma to Brayden, Jaxon, and Aubrie.
Mary Balagna
National Vice President
Mary has been a Project Linus Volunteer since January of 1999 when she founded the Central Illinois chapter which she continues to coordinate today. Her husband Terry, an Emergency Room Physician, agreed to hand out blankets to ill and traumatized children in the ER and from there the chapter grew tremendously in a very short time. As a loyal Project Linus volunteer, Mary could not pass up another Project Linus opportunity that came her way. When Project Linus reorganized in November of 2000, Mary accepted the position of Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors. In the past she has served in various community and civic board positions. She is the recipient of the 2004 Illinois State Medical Society Alliance Humanitarian Award and the 2008 Forsyth, Illinois Humanitarian Award. In addition to her other work with Project Linus, Mary has a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Iowa. She and Terry are the parents of four children—Cari, Rachel, Jonathan, and Alex—and currently have ten grandchildren.
Terry Balagna
Board Secretary
Terry has been practicing emergency medicine since 1987 and has continued to serve as the Director of Emergency Medicine at Decatur Memorial Hospital since 2001. He is president and co-founder of Decatur Emergency Medical Services, active in the Macon County Medical Society, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Association of Physician Specialists, American Academy of Family Physicians, and is a Six Sigma and Pacific Institute facilitator. He has been awarded Fellow status in the American College of Emergency Physicians, serves on the state Practice Management Committee of the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians. Community activities include service in the Forsyth Library Board, Community Park Board, Lincoln Trails Boy Scout Committee, AP Young Men program, Forsyth Youth League, and Maroa-Forsyth Schools. Terry lives in Forsyth, Illinois with his wife Mary. They are the parents of four children and have 10 grandchildren.
Jane Lawrence
National Director
Jane heard about Project Linus when her children were very small and she knew she somehow wanted to be involved. At the time Jane was not very familiar with a sewing machine and she didn’t know how she could be of help to this organization. As her younger children entered school, she found the time to take on the Treasurer responsibilities. She also has been bitten by the quilting bug, learning enough to make a quilt for her daughter that is now in college. Jane attended Brigham Young University and has worked in the banking industry as well as with one of the country’s leading professional outplacement services. She spent several years as a full-time mom and has had several leadership positions in her church and spent time volunteering for her children’s schools. She and her husband have four children.
Peggy Kane
National Director
Peggy is the Vice President of Business Development for GLC Custom Publishing. GLC is a marketing communication firm based in Northbrook, IL that produces custom magazines, newsletters, and marketing collateral for hospitals and health systems across the country. Prior to GLC, Peggy held management positions with Tokos Medical Services and Cigna. Peggy is a member of The Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development and sits on the Board of the Carolinas Healthcare Public Relations & Marketing Society. Peggy’s undergraduate degree is from West Chester State University and her graduate degree is from the College of New Jersey. She is the chapter coordinator for Project Linus in Chester and Delaware Counties, PA. In addition to Project Linus, Peggy enjoys traveling, reading, photography, knitting, and sewing. Peggy lives in Glenmoore, PA.
John Gregory
National Director
John has been involved with Project Linus since April 2000. He was very involved in the Kansas City Metro Chapter of Project Linus. Now John has his focus on the National Office. He volunteers in the office and on-line store. John works in transportation for a national company where he has been employed for over 25 years. John loves fishing but also enjoys traveling and visiting our local chapters. He feels strongly about helping the Chapters to have everything they need to be successful and has made this his goal.
Staff
Along with our directors, Project Linus also relies heavily on our staff to help us fulfill our mission.
Charlotte Bradford
Administrative Assistant / National Treasurer
After joining a local quilt guild in 2003 where Patty Gregory was President, Charlotte learned about Project Linus and became a volunteer in the Greater Kansas City Chapter. Through the quilt guild Charlotte learned to quilt, adding to her crocheting, knitting, and cross-stitch skills. Charlotte is a transplant to Missouri from Canton, Ohio growing up 10 minutes from the Football Hall of Fame. She earned a degree in Computer Science from Kent State University and worked as a Systems Analyst/Programmer for Colgate-Palmolive for 10 years. Charlotte was the Bookfair Chairperson for the PTA for 8 years raising funds to purchase books for school libraries, classrooms, and students. She was a substitute teacher for 18 years in all grade levels and every subject including art, physical education, choir, band, as well as substituted for the librarian! Charlotte worked for JoAnn’s as part of the team to set up a brand-new store. While employed by JoAnn’s she also trained cashiers and taught various classes to customers. Charlotte and her husband, Keith, have been married 39 years, raised 3 children, hosted 2 exchange students, and have volunteered in various community service organizations. They are currently training 2 of their 5 dogs for future pet therapy hospital visits.
Chad Lowe
IT Specialist / Webmaster
Chad first became acquainted with Project Linus when approached late in the fall of 2001 about some things the organization wanted to do with its website. As he began to help and eventually take on webmaster duties, the growing computer network at Project Linus offices needed attention. Chad officially joined the staff at that time and has been a key player in the technical needs of the organization. He not only actively builds and maintains the Project Linus website as well as keeps the office network running, but also assists chapter coordinators across the United States with computer-related issues as the need arises.
Chad’s full-time job is working in one of the datacenters of a large insurance company. In his spare time he enjoys doing things with his family, tinkering around the house, and playing the organ. Chad graduated from Brigham Young University in Business Management / Information Systems. He and his wife have four children and four grandchildren.
Non Discrimination Statement
Project Linus does not and shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. The activities include but are not limited to hiring or firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
Tax Information
Project Linus National Headquarters is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (listed as “Linus Project”). Contributions to Project Linus are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Project Linus’ tax identification number is 84-1362696.