MOULTRIE — In Tina Ricks’ eyes, a blanket is more than just a piece of material to keep warm in; it is a symbol of love.

“Something as simple as a blanket can bring so much love, joy, and comfort to a child,” she said.

Almost eight years ago, Ricks got involved with Project Linus, a non-profit organization that made blankets for critically ill, pre-mature babies. She said when she ran the local chapter, they delivered more than 400 blankets and had approximately 100 volunteers. The organization eventually folded and now she has decided to “go out on her own.”

“Something was missing in my life and I couldn’t figure out what it was. ... I loved Project Linus and I knew if I went back to it I’d be happy,” she said.

Ricks is starting a new organization called Covered Angels that will fulfill the same goals as Project Linus. It will run solely on donations of materials and volunteers’ time. She emphasized that no money would be collected because she wanted to keep it simple. She just wants anyone interested in helping to make a blanket, whether it be sewn, knitted, or crocheted.

“I need volunteers to make blankets and I will find just the right baby for it. ... I know the help is out there, I just need to find it,” she said.

She said she would also accept donations of material and yarn and then find someone who would be willing to use them to make blankets. The blankets do not need to be very big because the babies who receive them are usually about 2 to 4 pounds. She suggested 24-by-24 inches as the best blanket size for the preemies.

Since she lives out in the county, Ricks will have drop boxes around Moultrie so the volunteers can easily deliver their blankets to her. She is still looking at different locations to put the drop boxes. One of the boxes has already been placed at The Moultrie Observer.

Every time Ricks gets about 25 blankets, she will make a trip to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany because they have the largest critically ill baby unit in the area, she said. However, she will also take blankets to Colquitt Regional Medical Center, Colquitt County EMS, and local pediatricians’ offices.

“Covered Angels gives babies something to hold onto through the tough times,” she said.

She said she believes that the babies know that love is passed on to them through the blankets.

“If you make something with love people take it with love ... or they can feel the love,” she said.

Ricks can be contacted at (229) 324-7692 for more information about the organization. It is best to leave a message and she said she will return calls as soon as possible.

“It all starts with the volunteers. Without them, this is nothing,” she said.

Ricks has already started sewing blankets for her first trip to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She said she has quite a bit of experience making blankets and has made them for babies to adults, as well.