OLD ORCHARD BEACH  — A special blanket, like a hug from a loved one, can bring a sense of comfort and security.

The gift of a blanket can mean a lot to a child who is ill or has undergone a traumatic event.

Thanks to volunteers and participants in the summer reading program at the Edith Belle Libby Memorial Library, 25 area children in need will be gifted hand-made blankets through Project Linus.

Project Linus, named for the Peanuts comic strip character who frequently carried a security blanket, is a national non-profit organization that distributes blankets to children who could benefit from the sense of security, warmth and comfort a blanket provides.

Recipients in Cumberland and York counties include the Center for Grieving Children, Waban Projects, the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and Sweetser.

Blankets are hand made by volunteers, or “blanketeers,” and are collected at various drop off points. Local drop off points are in Saco at Half-Square Quilt Shop and in Sanford at Mardens and Sanford Sewing.

Edith Belle Libby Memorial Library Children’s Librarian Kim McLaughlin organized a blanket-making effort for Project Linus as part of the library’s summer reading program. About 25 blankets were made for Project Linus. Most of them were made at the library by local children, with help from McLaughlin, using a no-sew fleece blanket pattern. Others were made by and brought to the library by library patrons.

McLaughlin said the children enjoyed making the blankets.

“They had a lot of fun,” she said.

Melodie Provost, coordinator for Project Linus in Cumberland and York Counties, came to the library Friday to pick up the donations.

“This is seriously cute,” she said, as she picked up a blue fleece blanket with a whimsical pattern of owls and hearts.

Last year, the Cumberland and York counties chapter provided more than 2,000 blankets and the local chapter has donated more than 14,000 blankets since 2009.

Many of the blankets are picked up at drop off points, and Provost said she has no idea who has made most of the blankets that are distributed.

“They just appear magically. It’s amazing,” she said.

Project Linus is hosting a blanket making event on Sept. 9 in Portland. “Blanketeers” must provide their own materials and can contact Provost at mprovost@maine.rr.com for more information.

 “It’s like an old-fashioned quilting bee,” said Provost.

For more information on Project Linus, go to www.projectlinus.org.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.