WPS Students Craft Blankets for Project Linus

2/15/2022

Berlin, MD – On Friday, February 11, 2022, Worcester Preparatory School’s 4^th Grade class took advantage of Valentine’s Day party down time to craft blankets to be donated to Project Linus.

The idea came to WPS 4^th grade teachers Kimberley Jankowski and Erin Shimko by homeroom mom, Sara Gorfinkel, supported by the remainder of the homeroom moms, Wendy Caba-Labin, Kimberly Kappes and Jenna Hoch. Gorfinkel, along with her daughters Raia (4^th grade) and Nora (6^th grade) pre-cut all the blankets for the students to complete during their Valentine’s party on Friday.

“Through volunteer work students gain real-world experience, it teaches appreciation, builds empathy, and encourages cooperation,” Jankowski said. “It made my heart smile to see how involved the kids were, some of them asking to work on more than one blanket knowing that they were doing something good for someone in need.”

Project Linus provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gift of a new, handmade blanket lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” The local chapter, Project Linus of Lower Delmarva, is celebrating over 18 years of service to children of Delmarva, and over 13,000 huggable handmade blankets donated.

While it is easy for students to exchange treats with each other for Valentine’s Day, it is not so simple to share compassion for those we don’t know, Shimko explained.

“Making the blankets was a concrete way for our students to pass along the love that they experience here at WPS,” she said. “The students were able to create an item that will comfort and convey love long after the party is over. Our blankets became a Valentine for those in need, and I am incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, energy, and effort they put into showing others they are loved.”

For more information on Project Linus visit www.projectlinus.org, or to become involved with Project Linus of Lower Delmarva, contact Donna Clarke at greatoaks@juno.com.

Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. For more information, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

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From left to right, Mara McClanahan (Selbyville, DE) and Raia Gorfinkel (Berlin, MD) were proud of the blanket they completed to donate to Project Linus.
From left to right, 4th graders display the blankets made to be donated to Project Linus: Cullen Giardina (Berlin, MD), Jack Hornung (Newark, MD), CJ Labin (Rehoboth Beach, DE), Landon Carmean (Georgetown, DE), Nick Cipollone (Ocean City, MD).
From left to right, Teaghan Weinstein (Ocean City, MD), Alessia Ziman (Ocean City, MD), Emma Mealy (Selbyville, DE), Keller Hoch (Salisbury, MD), Estelle Damouni (Lewes, DE), Elena Kappes (Selbyville, DE) and Taj Sands (Berlin, MD) were all excited to have completed their blankets to be donated to Project Linus.

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Worcester Preparatory School

508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811

Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586