SFU’s annual blanket drive to help needy area families with young children and infants kicked off recently.

Blankets can be dropped off between Jan. 16 and March 17 at the main entrance to Scotus Hall.

Blankets must be handmade and must come from a smoke-free environment.

The blankets, which are specifically for small children and babies, should be small. Yarn and fabrics that can be washed are preferred.

Saint Francis faculty members Robin Cadwallader and Margaret Kealey and Academic Affairs administrative assistant Melita O’Donnell are organizers of the drive.

Originally, the drive was part of Project Linus, an international initiative that collects blankets for critically ill children.

SFU’s “blanketeers” have collected more than 1,200 blankets since the program started in 2006. The blankets have been donated to six area counties. Families in Blair and Cambria counties have received the majority of the donated blankets.

In addition to blankets, the President’s office will donate a crib to a family in need.