Beyond Boulder

Spreading warmth: Students craft blankets for children in need

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 18:46:19 +0000

Spreading warmth: Students craft blankets for children in need Megan M Rogers Wed, 01/07/2026 - 11:46

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder students loaded handmade blankets into Project Linus Founder Karen Loukes’ car. Loukes started Project Linus 30 years ago. In that time, Project Linus has distributed more than 10 million blankets across the U.S. and in Canada. Pictured left to right: Maria Goergen, Lauren Everett, Genevieve York, Karen Loukes, Nikolas Abbotts and Madison Cunningham. Photo by Glenn Asakawa/�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder.

Students in �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s Service and Social Action Living and Learning Community are making a big impact with a small gesture—handcrafting cozy blankets for children who need comfort the most.

The students handmade 15 fleece blankets and donated them to Project Linus, a nonprofit that has been providing handmade blankets and afghans to seriously ill or traumatized children for 30 years. Since its founding in December 1995, Project Linus has delivered more than 10 million blankets across the U.S. and Canada, thanks to volunteers known as “blanketeers.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Project Linus and contribute to their mission of bringing comfort to kids,” said Erica Peck, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Service Learning & Impact in Community Engagement (SLICE) program manager for experiential service learning. “This collaboration brings comfort to patients recovering from hip surgery at Sky Ridge Hospital and highlights how small acts of care can support healing.”

“Every blanket represents a gift of love and comfort for a child who needs it most,” said Karen Loucks, who founded Project Linus in Parker, Colorado, and received the student donations. “Seeing students take the time to create these blankets reminds us that compassion truly makes a difference.”

The effort was organized by the Division of Student Life’s SLICE office, which helps students connect with meaningful volunteer opportunities. “SLICE has been serving the Boulder community since 1965,” said Madison Cunningham, coordinator for events and community partnerships. “For 60 years, our students’ dedication to active citizenship has shaped our mission and continues to define who we are becoming.”

“We wanted to find a volunteer opportunity that students could do right here on campus, even with our busy schedules,” said Lauren Everett, a junior studying marketing, environmental studies and sustainable business with a certificate in social responsibility and ethics. Everett is also a part of Peers Activating Leaders in Service, or PALS. “When we discovered Project Linus, it seemed like a great organization to support. Making blankets for children in need felt like a meaningful way to give back, and I’m so glad we were able to connect with them.”

Project Linus works with hospitals, social service agencies and organizations such as Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, Sky Ridge Medical Center and Project Sanctuary, which supports military families. Want to learn more or get involved? Visit www.projectlinus.org.

Students in the Service and Social Action Living and Learning Community are making a big impact with a small gesture—handcrafting cozy blankets for children who need comfort the most.

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Master’s students collaborate with city of Denver to enhance civic engagement

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:14:06 +0000

Master’s students collaborate with city of Denver to enhance civic engagement Megan M Rogers Wed, 12/18/2024 - 12:14

Creative Technology and Design students proposed solutions to bolster community interaction and pride in support of the Little Saigon neighborhood and local volunteering initiative, Give5 Mile High.

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Education Abroad participation soaring with 33% increase

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 19:36:08 +0000

Education Abroad participation soaring with 33% increase Megan M Rogers Tue, 11/19/2024 - 12:36

Education Abroad

During International Education Week, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Education Abroad is celebrating a 33% increase in study abroad participation and expanding opportunities around the world for future participants.

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Behind the scenes of the Paris Olympic Games

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:22:26 +0000

Behind the scenes of the Paris Olympic Games Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/22/2024 - 09:22

Noah Bernstein, a third-year electrical and computer engineering student, spent 11 exhilarating weeks at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a venue engineering intern with NBCUniversal.

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The story is in the ice: Documenting climate change through the Extreme Ice Survey

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 13:49:49 +0000

The story is in the ice: Documenting climate change through the Extreme Ice Survey Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/16/2024 - 07:49

From 2007 to 2022, renowned photographer James Balog documented glacial change around the world through a project called the Extreme Ice Survey. One and a half million images showcasing climate change in real time are now stored and managed at the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

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Afghanistan did not have to be Vietnam 2.0, says former intelligence advisor

Anonymous — Fri, 31 May 2024 17:04:13 +0000

Afghanistan did not have to be Vietnam 2.0, says former intelligence advisor Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/31/2024 - 11:04

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

Gail Nelson, a career intelligence officer and �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder alumnus, advised Afghan military intelligence leaders after the United States drove the Taliban from power.

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Scholar has a front-row seat to the global fight against plastic pollution

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2024 16:34:49 +0000

Scholar has a front-row seat to the global fight against plastic pollution Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/30/2024 - 10:34

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder doctoral student Clare Gallagher finds reason for hope amid the complexities of negotiations to craft a U.N. treaty addressing a worldwide crisis.

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Compassion in action: Leading with heart

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 22:07:52 +0000

Compassion in action: Leading with heart Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/23/2024 - 16:07

Faculty, staff, and students associated with the Dalai Lama Fellows program at CU’s Renée Crown Wellness Institute recently traveled to Dharamsala, India, to seek guidance from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on compassionate and ethical leadership.

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Student takes on global DIY climate action

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 21:47:49 +0000

Student takes on global DIY climate action Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/27/2023 - 14:47

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder senior Runzhe Li is attending the major U.N. climate conference, COP28, as an independent scholar. At �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, Li is majoring in economics with a minor in atmospheric and oceanic sciences.

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8 decades later, Marine (and distinguished professor) to revisit Iwo Jima

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 19:28:22 +0000

8 decades later, Marine (and distinguished professor) to revisit Iwo Jima Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/01/2023 - 13:28

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

Richard Jessor, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder distinguished professor of behavioral science and co-founder of the Institute of Behavioral Science, records an oral history with the National World War II Museum and will return to the island in March, on the 79th anniversary of the battle.

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