Today is National Make a Blanket Day and Holland America Line guests aboard two Grand Voyages are using their sea days making blankets in support of Project Linus.
Guests on the 128-day Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam and the 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole aboard Zaandam are knitting blankets for children up to 18 years old who are ill, traumatized or in need. For more than 20 years, the volunteers or “blanketeers” have gathered with their yarn and knitting needles to create their blankets and raise awareness for Project Linus. Currently, every sea day, the group meets in the Ocean Bar to complete their blankets that will be distributed to children across the United States.
“This has become a special tradition aboard our Grand World Voyages over the years,” said Henk Mensink, Zuiderdam’s hotel general manager. “We are grateful to our guests for making the best use of their sea days for such a meaningful cause.”
Longtime Holland America cruisers, Marty and Gail Gottlieb, have led the initiative for the past six world cruises. They boarded Zuiderdam on January 4, 2025, with almost one million yards of yarn in more than 30 colors. For the first time, they also collected yarn for a blanketeers on a second ship, Zaandam, which departed January 25, 2025. Johanna Oostewegel is overseeing the initiative during the Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole sailing.
All cruisers, whether beginner or pro, are invited to join. The blankets can be created anywhere from eight days to three weeks and blanketeers are able to knit during sea-day sessions or on their own time.
“Gail and I feel good and enjoy giving to others,” said Marty Gottlieb, Holland America Line guest and Project Linus chapter member. “We enjoy having other guests have the same feeling as we do, making a handmade blanket for a child. Over the years we have heard from fellow passengers how their grandchild or child had received a Project Linus blanket while in the hospital and kept them into adulthood. The blanketeers feel an accomplishment finishing the blanket, giving the child the comfort and security of the blanket made with love.”
Upon the conclusion of the Grand Voyages in May and June, the completed blankets will be delivered to the Project Linus’ headquarters in Missouri. From there, they will be sorted and distributed to children’s hospitals, shelters or “anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug.”