With his security blanket over his shoulder, Linus van Pelt, the loveable Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts comic strip character, lives on in the work of Project Linus.

The project got its start on Christmas Eve, 1995.

In a Parade Magazine article entitled "Joy to the World," readers were introduced to a 3-year-old girl named Laura going through chemotherapy.

Laura said that her security blanket helped her get through the treatments that left her with nausea, high fevers and the loss of her hair.

After reading the article, one Karen Loucks determined to provide homemade security blankets to the Rocky Mountain Children's Cancer Center in Denver, Colorado.

"Our name is taken from the Peanuts character," wrote Claudia Post, the chapter coordinator for Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap and Mason counties, in an email.

"Charles Schulz knew about Project Linus and approved the use of his lovable character in the cause of providing security blankets for needy children."

Project Linus is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide love and a sense of security to children who are seriously ill or traumatized and to provide an opportunity for a rewarding opportunity for individuals and community groups to help children.

Nationally, there are 325 active chapters in all 50 states, and over five million blankets have been distributed.

Post's chapter was established in April 2014, and since then has made a huge impact.

"Time and time again, we receive notes from recipients and/or their families sharing stories of the sense of security a child in crisis feels after receiving a Project Linus blanket," Post continued.

During the state's past legislative session, the Washington State Senate honored Post's chapter.

"Since our establishment, we have donated over 4,200 blankets, all lovingly made by our amazing ‘blanketeers!'"

Some of those blankets are donated to Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Santa's Castle and to Camp Corral, a summer camp for children of wounded, injured, ill or fallen servicemembers.

Project Linus does not yet have a Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) donation number.

"We are a bit new to this; we will be submitting an application for 2018," continued Post.

"When we do receive CFC funding, eighty percent of it would stay with our chapter to purchase blanket-making materials; the other twenty percent would go to the National Project Linus office for licensing and insurance."

Those interested in donating can do so at projectlinus.org or contact Post at 253.212.0234.