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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Dozens of women from the Heartland were on a mission Saturday afternoon. Their goal: to mass produce blankets for the area's children in need.

The mission is officially called "National Make a Blanket Day" and it's an annual event sponsored by Project Linus, a national organization.

Women of all ages and generations worked together to complete the task. Some were experienced, and others not so much.

 "Every blanket I do, I say a prayer for that child that's going to get that blanket," said Pat Ruggles, of Worthington, Mo. Ruggles has been participating in the project for the past three years and this year, she submitted 110 blankets. 

"I just want every little kid to have a warm fuzzy feeling," said Ruggles.  

Organizers said they were pleased with this year's turnout.

"Every year, it gets a little bit bigger and it's wonderful, fantastic," said Conni Douvier, the Coordinator for the North Central Missouri Chapter of Project Linus.  "The community is incredibly supportive and helpful and we have the best volunteers. We have over 250 volunteers in the area who work on blankets year-round. "

Douvier said the blankets will remain in the Heartland and be given to children in foster care or living in women's shelters. Also, blankets will be given to children who have lost everything in a house fire.  

The event also featured a new sewing machine giveaway, sponsored by Quilted Square, LLC.

The North Central Missouri Project Linus Chapter has donated more than 4,000 blankets to local children since 2003.