Hillary Roberts of Keyport is president of Project Linus NJ, Inc. Based in Monmouth County, 3,700 “blanketeers” from throughout the state have created 15,000 handmade blankets, preemie sets and handcrafted toys, sending them to 120 nonprofit agencies, hospitals and homeless shelters for distribution to children suffering serious illness and trauma.

Project Linus, NJ, Inc. began as a grassroots effort that donated 3,000 handmade blankets a year to fragile New Jersey children undergoing treatment and care. As a result of the award, says Hillary Roberts, president, Project Linus is a statewide, volunteer network of 5,900 community minded crafters. More than 60,000 children have been comforted during a traumatic experience. With reference to Mr. Berrie, Roberts notes, “He enabled and inspired grassroots organizations like Project Linus to push forward, to identify need and to put ideas into action.”