We’ve heard a lot in recent months about the rise of the “grass roots” political campaign. But what if the grass roots are crafted from yarn and knitting needles, and help premature babies in a NICU get a better chance at life?
The last thing I expected when I joined an on-line knitting website was to tap into a group of diehard political supporters. But there it was, among scores of other groups on the website, “Knitters for Obama.” The group had only two requirements: you had to be a knitter and you had to support Barack Obama. At last count, the group had over 1100 members.
If you envision knitters as sedate grannies, knitting baby blankets for their grandkids in their rocking chairs, you’re wrong. Knitters are a microcosm of the world, and Knitters for Obama reflects that: young and old, male and female, from every state in the US (and abroad), gay and straight, lawyers and stay-at-home moms and therapists and every other occupation.
By the time I joined, the Knitters for Obama group had already organized a fundraiser, auctioning off an aghan and raising over $8700 for the campaign.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14709897@N00/2416608496/" title="afghan by Black Bunny Hop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/2416608496_246204634c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="afghan" /></a>
That’s impressive – but what really made an impression with me was the group’s decision to heed Obama’s call to service. They created a drive for handmade caps in tiny sizes – some only a few inches in circumference --- to donate in Obama’s honor to Pennsylvania hospitals that treat premature babies. (Hats will be donated in other states as enough are finished.) Because preemie babies have trouble maintaining their body temperature, they must be dressed especially carefully, with an eye to warmth. But because these infants are so tiny, they often do not fit into regular-sized baby clothing. Knitters and crocheters can create perfectly-sized hats, ranging in circumference from six to twelve inches, to fit these little heads.
During the past week, my mail carrier has delivered to me over fifteen envelopes full of pre-mie caps – more than fifty of them.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14709897@N00/2413985240/" title="mail by Black Bunny Hop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/2413985240_00e7138a99_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="mail" /></a>
Fifty-plus more are on the way. Each was lovingly handcrafted to help a tiny baby who was born too soon. Each was made by someone who was so inspired by Barack Obama’s call for real change that they spent hours of their time to help infants in another state. I will be delivering them to local NICU units in the hope that they will help keep someone’s precious infant warm during a stressful stay in the hospital.
A hundred Pennsylvania preemies with handmade caps to keep them warm.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14709897@N00/2405366111/" title="Donated premie caps by Black Bunny Hop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2405366111_2e7fecc275_m.jpg" width="240" height="159" alt="Donated premie caps" /></a>
That’s change we can truly believe in.
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