Crafting for Charity: The Preemie Project
This post is inspired by a friend of mine, Monique, who recently had a baby. Not so recently, now, Jose was born about three weeks ago now. The thing about Jose is that he was 1.5 lbs, and wasn’t supposed to be born until June 20. For a baby that was born three months early, he’s doing really pretty well. He had a hole in his heart and a hernia, but it could be a lot worse. He started breathing on his own just a day or so after he was born! So in honor of Jose and other preemies, let me introduce you to …
This lovely charity donates handmade items to preemies and critically ill infants at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Items are donated to the Neonatal ICU and the Pediatric ICU, and include such volunteer-created items as little hats, booties and blankets. The charity was started in 2005 by Iowan and knitter Laura Aker. You can subscribe to their blog and keep up with current news items. They have workgroups (like the June 2007 one pictured here), an annual craft-a-thon and other events.
The Project has expanded over time: there’s a branch in Michigan now and they also collect donations of supplies for children to send home with folks - diapers and clothing and the like. Finally, they have a special project to provide handmade bereavement and remembrance items for families who have suffered a loss.
Some Stats
The site states that they have “received donations from over 250 volunteers totaling over 1,700 hat and bootie sets, over 1,500 blankets, and 300 bereavement packages.” Wow!
Help Out
They have volunteer information, guidelines and accepted items, including a suggested yarn list for those interested in donating some lovely items of your own. DO note the yarn requirements - preemies have very soft, thin, delicate skin, and all yarns much be machine washable and not wool.
You can also choose to donate using their list of needed items. They need not just funds (though appreciated!) but also sewing and crafting items, and some items such as printer cartridges for their fundraisers.
(Must confess, warm fuzzies for the University of Iowa, where both my parents graduated!)
