BY MIRA PATELCommunity contributor

Michele Willis — chaptercoordinator of ProjectLinus for Kern, Tulareand Fresno counties —strives to give back to

local children in need with her “blan-keteers,” or volunteers. Wanting togive back after Hurricane Katrina,Willis took to the Internet to researchorganizations that were acceptingdonations. She stumbled on ProjectLinus and decided to start a localchapter in November 2005.

The program was named from thesecurity blanket-toting character fromthe Peanuts comic strip, Willis said.

“We are a volunteer based nonprofitthat provides new, handmade blanketsand afghans to children who are seri-ously ill, traumatized or otherwise in

need,” she said. While Willis helps to facilitate and

lead the local chapter, she couldn’t doit without her assistant coordinator,Millie Abel, and the local volunteers.A core group of nearly three dozenwomen meet every month to turn inblankets. Church groups, scout troops,individuals, businesses and otherorganizations also volunteer theirtime.

It’s important to note that eachblanket goes through a rigorous “blan-ket pass inspection,” Willis said. Eachblanket receives a special poem, goesthrough a metal detector to ensure nopins are left behind, are sized, andthen bagged for delivery.

“All blankets stay local unless thereis a major catastrophe in the nation,”she said. “Even then, we make certain

w w w . b a k e r s f i e l d v o i c e . c o m Sunday, February 24, 2013 The Bakersfield Voice

Y O U R H E A L T H

Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y

BY CAROLANN WOOTONCommunity contributor

Cathy Orn and her husbandDavid had been residents ofthe Bakersfield HomelessCenter in the past. “Back in2003, they did not offer all the

programs for GED or job developmentthat they offered when we came backthis time,” Orn said. When circum-stances in 2009 brought the coupleback to the center, Orn was excited totake advantage of these new opportu-nities. In January 2010, she inter-viewed to join the City of Bakers-field’s Green Waste crew, a new pro-gram available after to a special con-tract between Bakersfield and thecenter.

“At Green Waste I gained a betterunderstanding of my capabilities,”Orn said. “I found I could become alead and manage a crew of six work-

ers.” But Orn did not stop there. She took

her new confidence gained fromworking at Green Waste and become apart-time cook in the homeless cen-ter’s kitchen. When a position manag-ing the donations warehouse becameavailable, Orn had proven her valueas an employee.

“I love what I do. I can help others,”she said laughing. “I can pay mybills!”

Orn’s husband, David, is also a partof the Green Waste crew. They havetheir own home, and security thatthey have not experienced in years.

“The last year or so has been spe-cial year for me,” Orn said, her faceglowing. “I was promoted to work inthe warehouse, I have been sevenyears sober, I took my first vacation,and we have a relationship with our

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PROVIDED PHOTO

Project Linus of Kern, Tulare and Fresno counties chapter coordinator Michele Willis,front center, holds blankets with some of her local “blanketeers,” or volunteers, whogive back to local children in need by making blankets.

PROVIDED PHOTO

The Bakersfield Homeless Center’s (BHC) Job Development program has been instru-mental in helping individuals, such as Cathy and David Orn, to achieve success in thejob market.

Collaboration between city andhomeless center changing lives

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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we can provide to the local children first,then give to others.”

Most recently, Project Linus donatedabout 900 blankets to the students at TaftUnion HighSchool afterthe shooting onJan. 10.

Some of themost memo-rable momentsWillis hasexperiencedsince her asso-ciation withProject Linuswas winningthe GreaterBakersfieldChamber ofCommerce’s“humanitariangroup of theyear” awardfor 2007 and 2008, and also the memoriesshe has gathered while delivering blanketswith her six children. While they can nolonger deliver the blankets due to theH1N1 virus regulations, she explains itwas rewarding teaching them the impor-tance of community service.

It’s important to understand that ProjectLinus does not receive funds from thenational headquarters, nor is Willis paidfor her time or service. She, too, is a dedi-cated volunteer. For Willis, Project Linusisn’t about her.

“It’s about the whole community thatunites to serve others, and while serving,we learn new things, often times teaching

others and in the midst of it all makefriendships and find purpose with ourlife!”

There is no experience necessary toparticipate as a “blanketeer.” Volunteersare always welcome.

Local organization that Project Linus

serves includes:

• Alliance Against Family Violence andSexual Assault• Clinica Sierra Vista• Delano Regional Medical Center• Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guid-ance Clinic• Edwards Air Force Base• Greenlawn Mortuary• Jamison Children's Center• Kern County Adoption Agency• Kern Medical Center• Dignity Health Hospitals: Memorial andMercy, Downtown and Southwest• San Joaquin Community HospitalFabric donations

Fabric donations of cotton, fleece orflannel are always welcome. Donations canbe made to Project Linus c/o MicheleWillis, 10720 Palm Ave., Bakersfield, CA93312Local donation sites

Bolts to Bindings: 930 Wible Rd.Ellie Jaye's Baby Boutique: 1608 19th St.Strawberry Patches: 6433 Ming Ave.

kids we have not had in manyyears.”

This would have never hap-pened without the opportunitiespresented by collaborative con-tracts like with Green Waste.

“Collaborative programs such asGreen Waste or Adopt-a-HighwayProgram are providing opportuni-ties where none previously exist-

ed,” said the center’s job develop-ment supervisor Debra Lawson-Tyner. “That’s what our peopleneed — an opportunity!”

A key to helping individualsgain self-sufficiency is employ-ment, and the center’s job devel-opment program has been instru-mental in helping individuals toachieve this kind of success.

For more information about theBakersfield Homeless Center, call322-9199, or go to bakhc.org.

2 The Bakersfield Voice Sunday, February 24, 2013

This story originallyappeared in B WellMagazine.

For more local healthstories, visit bwellmagazine.com

■ Circulation: If you would like to receive our weekly pub-lication or cancel delivery, please e-mail:voicedelivery@bakersfield.com or call 392-5777. Be sureto include your request, contact information and address.

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Y O U R H E A L T H E X T R A E X T R A

COURTESY OF SAN JOAQUIN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Anew Starbucks Coffee Companykiosk opened Feb. 1 at SanJoaquin Community Hospital —the first of its kind for the world-wide chain.

The walk-up, outdoor facility is in frontof the hospital, near the gazebo area. It isset-up as primarily a “grab-and-go” retailshop open to San Joaquin hospital employ-ees, as well as the public.

Adding the Starbucks kiosk, which willsoon include outdoor seating, is yet anoth-er improvement to the 254-bed hospitalgrounds, said Jarrod McNaughton, SanJoaquin’s vice-president of marketing anddevelopment.

“Bringing a Starbucks kiosk on to ourhospital campus is very exciting,”McNaughton said. “We see this as another

convenience we can offer to our visitors —and we all know how popular Starbuckscoffee drinks are!”

Starbucks representatives and SanJoaquin officials worked closely togetheron the details of the project. This location,although not owned by Starbucks, is afully-licensed store, offering a full Star-bucks menu. All of the baristas, who areSan Joaquin employees, underwent exten-sive Starbucks training.

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BY JENNIE AHLGRENCommunity contributor

The Michelin Soccer Pro-gram and Oildale Tiredonated more than $656 infunds and equipment toKern County Soccer Park

Foundation. These funds go a longway in helping to provide scholar-ships, uniforms and other socceressentials for the participatingleagues. Giving back to the com-munity is a top priority for Miche-lin.

The Michelin Soccer Programpartners tire dealers with localyouth soccer organizations, pro-viding the dealers the opportunityto reach out to the community.The leagues in turn receive fundsand equipment. The soccerleagues are sent certificates thatcan be redeemed at the dealer’sstores for a free soccer ball during

a 30-day promotional period, whilesupplies last. After a 60-day tirerebate promotion included on thecertificate, Michelin donates $2 tothe soccer organization for eachtire sold during the program.

Duane Collins of Oildale Tire inBakersfield is an avid supporter ofthe program.

“The Michelin Soccer Programis an incredible way to connectwith families and young players,”he said. “The look on the chil-dren’s face as you hand them theirsoccer ball is priceless. I encour-age all the Michelin dealers tofind a local soccer league and sup-port them through this program.”

To learn more about the Miche-lin Soccer Program, visitwww.michelinsoccer.com/?league_overview. To find out more aboutOildale Tire, contact DuaneCollins at 399-4439.

Oildale Tire rolls out soccerballs, funds for local teams

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4 The Bakersfield Voice Sunday, February 24, 2013