Iowans are knitting and crocheting tiny caps for babies that will be delivered to the nation’s capitol as a way of sending a message that simple solutions can save lives. Mary Beth Powers, spokeswoman for Save the Children U-S-A, is helping organize the effort in Iowa and nationwide.
Powers says two-million children die every year on their first day of life from things like basic infections, tetanus, diarrhea, pneumonia — and from hypothermia — so wrapping and warming an infant’s head is an important part of post-natal care. Powers says members of the Central Iowa Knitters club are making many dozens of caps to contribute to the effort. Powers says after the caps are taken to Washington D.C., they’ll be shipped to programs in developing nations that help needy children.
She says anyone in Iowa can help. Go to “www.savethechildren.org” and download patterns and instructions for knitting baby caps as well as information about how the “Caps to the Capitol” campaign can help mothers and newborns around the world. Powers says they’ve already received thousands of the hand-made caps from knitters and crocheters in Iowa and elsewhere, which will be sent overseas early next year.
They have nine-thousand caps so far and it’s hoped 75-thousand people nationwide will knit a cap and send a note to Washington to take notice to the plight of newborns in developing countries. Free knitting lessons will be offered Tuesday night in West Des Moines. For more information on that session, surf to “www.centraliowaknitters.com”.
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