Raquel Tucker has developed a mild obsession with blankets.

She learned to sew about three years ago, and while listening to sewing podcasts, Tucker learned about Project Linus, a national organization that provides comfort and security to seriously ill and traumatized children by providing them with handmade blankets.

After discovering there was only one Hawaii chapter, on the Big Island, and that it was costly to ship the blankets there, Tucker started an Oahu chapter and became its volunteer coordinator.

Now her Kaneohe home serves as a factory and storage facility. She spends about 20 to 25 hours a week coordinating group sewing events; soliciting and picking up donations; dropping off blankets to hospitals, shelters and service agencies; and soliciting volunteers known as blanketeers.

“After seeing how much joy my children got from their grandmother’s quilts and how I enjoyed the Afghan made by my own grandmother, I became a blanketeer,” said Tucker, 41. “I’ve now seen the difference a handmade blanket can make to a child in trauma. It’s meant for any child who needs a hug.”

Blankets have been distributed to homeless children, abused children who were removed from their homes and placed in foster care, to children whose parents are deployed overseas with the military and to teens participating in a drug rehabilitation program. Tucker recently sent blankets to the children of the Marines who died when two helicopters crashed off Haleiwa on Jan. 14.

Tucker has become so busy that she now only has enough spare time to make two or three blankets a month, but she does get a lot of help at home.

“This is definitely a family project, although no one else signed up for it,” Tucker said. “My husband helps me do a lot of the writing and all the heavy lifting. Most importantly, he occupies my boys when I need to work or sew.”

Tucker’s sons, Robert, 7, and Christopher, 4, help as well.

“They are so good at going to make deliveries with me, choosing fabric, making no-sew blankets, even sorting and bagging,” she said. “Only problem is sometimes the blankets are so beautiful and they want them.”

Since its inception, Project Linus has delivered more than 2 million blankets nationwide. Last year the Oahu chapter delivered 504 blankets. The goal for this year is 750.

“We had a volunteer make 60 in a month once, which has set a high standard,” Tucker said.

The Oahu chapter has about a dozen solid volunteers, ranging from teenagers to retirees, but Tucker says churches, social groups, senior centers, Scouting groups and schools can coordinate to make blankets and that the organization is seeking more volunteers.

She is also looking to secure a space that’s more centrally located to host the meetings.

“Project Linus strikes a chord in my heart. … It’s a loving advocate for children,” said volunteer Marion Newman, a 65-year-old Kailua resident. “I was a kindergarten teacher at St. Theresa on School Street for 17 years. I feel children who are shown their value can grow to do for others.”

Newman has made just over 100 crib blankets. “I enjoy knowing that I can make a difference in a child’s life without a lot of fuss,” she said.

Tucker’s also seeking other ways to strengthen the organization.

“I’d like to set up a donation drop-off location,” she said. “Many chapters have agreements with local stores for a Project Linus drop-off box, and I think that would make donations easier for individuals as well as help raise community awareness. I’d also like to form a partnership with Oahu businesses to help the Oahu chapter grow and apply for more grants to help with fundraising. My goals are endless.”