The recipe for making a difference: 240 yards of fleece, a pile of scissors, and 80 willing hearts.

The swimmers spent the afternoon on Tuesday making soft blankets to donate to Project Linus. It is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.

The Stars made about seven dozen blankets. They will be giving to young patients at The Children's Hospital Unit at Parker Adventist Hospital.

"This means a lot to the team. They realize they have the ability to give back. They understand that this time of year is more about giving than receiving. This is a great group of kids. They want to make a difference," said Olympic swimmer Tori Smith, the coach of the STARS.

The team has decided to make the event an annual tradition.

STARS is a team that competes at every level of local, state and national swimming. In eight years, STARS has won 11 State Championship Titles. There are about 170 team members who are ages 7 to 18 years old.

For more information on Project Linus, visit http://www.projectlinus.org/.

For more information on STARS, visit http://www.coloradostars.icastsports.com/swimming/index.asp.

(Copyright KUSA*TV. All rights reserved.)