Helping children one blanket at a time. An MLK Day of Service project. (PHOTOS)

A blanket given to a child can bring warmth and comfort knowing that someone cares. The Sanskriti of NJ school and other volunteers came together in Livingston this

weekend to make the sentiment a reality, making blankets for Project Linus as part of their MLK Day of Service. Project Linus provides new handmade blankets to children in

need. “We make between 60 to 100 blankets at a time because we have so many volunteers,” Sangeetha Nayak, chair of the event for Sanskriti, said. The blankets are

made for, “Children in shelters, children who have been traumatized, children in hospital,” Nayak added. Sanskriti is a Sunday school offered by the Sanskriti of NJ

organization promoting the heritage and culture of the South Asian community, said Nayak. The school has about 100 students from among the 1,6000 members of the organization.

The students and volunteers gathered around tables cutting blankets around the edges and making tassels, decorating the fleece. “We like to give the children something

hands-on so they can feel like they are actually working on something that will help someone,” Nayak said. Many hands made quick work of the 54-inch by 54-inch fleece

blankets and they were rolled up and ready to be delivered. “I want to be in this community where I am doing something to help the cause of others,” Riya Deepak said as she

tied one tassel at a time. The National Charity League and the Livingston High School Key Club also volunteered. “I know that even if it is a few minutes, a few hours

helping out, I am actually making a difference,” said Deepak.