AU asks your help on charity project

Aurora University student-athletes invite the public to join them in cutting and hand-tying fleece blankets for needy children.

The ninth annual AU Blanket Lunch Hour will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 3, in Thornton Gymnasium in Alumni Hall, 1410 Marseillaise Place in Aurora.

The event is sponsored by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Student Athletic Training Organization.

The goal of the effort is to make 95 blankets for the Carol Stream chapter of Project Linus, a national nonprofit that provides new, handmade blankets to children in hospitals, homeless shelters and other locations. Last year, AU volunteers produced 90 blankets.

The public is invited to help hand-tie blankets or donate fleece, completed blankets, or funds for materials.

Students will teach visitors how to make the trendy, no-sew fleece blankets popular with crafters.

Blanket-makers are requested to bring their own materials. A limited amount of free fabric will also be available.

Sarah Radtke, associate professor of physical education, and Nicole Pieart, assistant athletic trainer, are co-coordinators for the effort. Radtke said an NCAA grant will help purchase fleece, but donations are always welcome.

For information, call (630) 844-5113.