People call things as they were raised and where they grew up. That fizzy drink that comes in a bottle or can is pop. In another part of the country they incorrectly(to me) call it soda. In another part of the country they incorrectly(to me) call it cola? Now does calling that drink anything other than pop change the flavor? I don't think so. To go farther water, kool-aid, pop, beer, wine, and brandy are all drinks.
I compare blankets to drinks. You have store bought bed covers, knitted afghans, coverlets, comforters, quilts. All of these do the same purpose and are all under the category of blankets. I'm sure the Project Linus accepts any and all of the pre-mentioned blankets not just the quilts branch.
Our quilting should be done for OUR OWN enjoyment not to gain recognition, respect, and praise from others. Some people appreciate quilts and some don't. Demanding people to call them quilts and not blankets does not make them appreciate quilts more.