Fontbonne Academy is partnering with Project Linus, a non-profit organization run locally by Milton resident Nancy Kearns, which supplies hand-made blankets to children who are seriously ill or experiencing hardships. When Kearns read about two Fontbonne students in Milton who were doing social justice internships this summer with Brookview House and Casa Esperanza, she called the school to offer her assistance. This week, she met with rising Fontbonne seniors Christina Ferrera and Caitlin Gemma to give them blankets to bring into their agencies. The blankets come in a wide variety of styles and fabrics, with designs appropriate for infants through teenagers.

Project Linus Local Coordinator, Nancy Kearns, poses with Milton residents and Fontbonne Academy interns and “volunteer blanketeers.” From left to right: Caitlin Gemma ’11, Christina Ferrera ’11, Nancy Kearns Fontbonne past parent Mary Grant, and Katie Grant ’10.

Volunteers of the organization, including past Fontbonne mom Mary Grant and her daughter Katie ’10, were on hand for the recent blanket exchange. The Grant family represents three generations of Project Linus volunteers. Mrs. Grant’s mother, also named Mary Grant, crocheted blankets for Project Linus in the later years of her life, until she was 100 years old. “During those last six years of her life, making blankets for Project Linus really kept my mother going, even after she moved into a nursing home,” said Mary Grant, who continues the connection to the organization by sewing on Project Linus tags to the blankets and delivering them. Her mother passed away in 2007 and made 380 quilts in the last six years of her life.

“It is just great that we now have established relationships with additional organizations through the Fontbonne Academy internships,” said Project Linus Coordinator Nancy Kearns. Project Linus has been making and distributing blankets since 1995 and has given out more than 30,000 blankets through more than 60 organizations in the Boston area since 2001. The Fontbonne Academy connection will expand this school year as the Office of Mission and Ministry will promote Project Linus among the organizations Fontbonne students can choose to do their service hours. “I know our girls will be eager to help Project Linus,” said the Director of the Office of Mission and Ministry, Maria Sarte, “It is such a good cause with such a strong Fontbonne connection.”

Fontbonne Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school for young women sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston.