Can a simple knit cap help save a babys life? In many developing countries it sure can! According to the Save the Children organization four million newborn babies die each year within the first month of life. Bill Gates has been quoted as saying one of the easiest ways to cut down on infant mortality is to keep babies warm and dry (Newsweek, October 2007). Through their Knit One Save One campaign, this organization has sent thousands of baby caps and newborn care kits to new mothers in such places as Bangladesh, Malawi, and Vietnam.
This past fall one of the college students at St Pauls Church in Milltown, NJ approached the pastor asking if he thought some of those in the congregation might be interested in knitting/crocheting baby caps. She was hoping to collect a few to send along to the Save the Children organization. Thinking that maybe the people of St. Pauls would donate 25-30 hats, Pastor Rich asked one of the consistory members to spearhead the project. Some congregants stitched away, some donated wool and others asked friends and elderly family members to make hats. One congregant even offered her time and talent to teach a few how to knit. For the next two months baby caps of all colors and sizes were dropped off during coffee hour!
Through the overwhelming generosity of a few women from St. Pauls and Rutgers University, 242 little ones were a bit warmer this past winter. Yes, the hands of a few provided love and warmth for many newborns around the world.