LIVERMORE – In response to an expressed interest in Project Linus in the western mountain region, a “Make a Blanket Day” will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center.

Blankets for children in need will be assembled during the day. The goal is to complete or collect blankets while educating the western mountain region about Project Linus. Everyone is invited to bring fabric, batting, scraps, yarn, crochet hooks and knitting needles. Extension cords and lamps would also be helpful.

A free quilt class will be offered and fabrics will be provided, but participants need to bring their own machine. Call Mary McGaughey, caretaker of Norlands, at 897-5903 to reserve a space. Participants are also invited to bring a bag lunch.

The event reflects an ideal embraced by families in the 19th century. For example, when the West Robinson family was “burned out,” the neighborhood women made quilts for them. The blankets made for Project Linus stay in the communities in which they are created to help the children in those communities.

Merlene Sanborn, coordinator of the the Eastern Maine Chapter, and Sue Kirk, coordinator of the Portland/Southern/Central Maine Chapter, have agreed to present Project Linus to the people of western Maine. Norlands hopes to reach quilters, knitters and other blanket makers in Oxford and Franklin counties.

The mission of Project Linus is to 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, washable blankets and afghans, crafted by volunteer blanket makers. More than 5,000 blankets have made their way into the arms of Maine kids facing critical care or trauma situations since April 1, 1998.

For more information about Project Linus, call Sanborn at 965-8005 or Kirk at 642-2275.