[ggmomliz]

I joined here in January so I don't know what is done near the holidays. A couple of years ago I joined an internet challenge to knit or crochet at least 50 infant hats and donate them to a local hospital. I can't remember where the challenge originated as it was forwarded to me.
Would the knitters here be interested in doing one this year? It can help use up small balls of yarn and being small they don't hang down in your lap and make you hot, even in summer. If we start now it's less than 3 per week.

 

[ggmomliz]

Sure, gg, I would be interested! A few years ago, I crocheted 64 infant hats for some charity that would send them to South Africa. Apparently, many infants die there because they don't have adequate head coverage. They also wanted you to write a letter to Obama, encouraging him to assist in funding for these unnecessary deaths. When it came time for me to send my hats, I was told they only wanted ONE hat, plus my letter to Obama. So, I called every hospital within a 100-mile radius of where I live in CT, and was told (in no uncertain terms!) that they had their "local knitters" and wouldn't have a use for my hats!

That sort of turned me off from making any more. But if you know of a hospital that would be receptive, I would be more than happy to participate with you!!

....gloria

That sort of thing really sours you on donating. I donate to Northcrest Hospital but I would think
that a Children's hospital would love them. Is Shriners' Hospital one you might consider? Since they do not charge families they should welcome donations. Still need to contact first, of course. If you decide to go with them there might be something that they need even more.
One place I will NEVER donate to again is St. Jude in Memphis, TN. I contacted them about 10 years ago about bookmarks and sent close to 200 from my cross stitch group and was never even thanked. I had to contact them to make sure they had arrived and was simply told yes.

 

[ggmomliz]

I'm interested. Would we be making them for your local hospital?

No. Donate in your area so there is no postage involved.

 

[ggmomliz]

Great idea! However I couldn't compete. I'm knitting quite a bit slower due to bilateral rotator cuff surgery.

It's not a competition, if you can't make 50 make what you can. The idea is the donation.

 

[ggmomliz]

Later this week I will officially set up this challenge on the board. Right now I have someone waiting in the car (no internet at home, must take laptop to library). I did a tiny bit of web searching and found this site http://www.givingartfully.com/campaigns/precious-precious-project/ that is complete with patterns for those who don't mind sending items. They do mention that most hospitals with a NICU appreciate the caps and that for the tiny ones who do not make it sometimes the little cap is the only thing the parents have that their baby actually wore.