Friendswood Journal - News
Westwood knitters learn fruits of their service efforts
Knitters from Westwood Elementary have partnered with Save the Children, to help save babies around the world.
Tricia Puskar, Associate Director of Outreach in the Survive to 5 campaign, will meet with the members of the third-grade knitting club on Dec. 4, at 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria to talk with them about the importance of their service-learning efforts.
They have joined the Knit One, Save One campaign this fall and are knitting baby caps to help reduce the staggering infant mortality rate. Keeping a newborn warm is one of the simple steps for saving lives.
Research shows that 60 percent of the nearly 4 million newborn deaths that occur each year could be prevented if mothers and children in poor countries had access to a simple package of health measures.
This low-cost, effective package includes antibiotics to fight infections, immunizations against tetanus, training for birth attendants, education on breastfeeding and basic care for newborns such as keeping a baby - even those born in hot climates - warm with a knit cap in the first critical hours and days after birth.
America's leaders could save millions of newborn lives by increasing international assistance for programs that offer these affordable, life-saving tools. That's why Westwood knitters are also including a letter with each cap to President-elect Obama asking for his help in this worthwhile cause. Additionally, they will be attaching a tag to each cap with a special message for the mother and her child, whereby sending warm wishes and making a special connection between the miles.
Even if someone doesn’t know how to knit or crochet, she or he can get in the loop and help out. Many of the caps will be included in a Better Beginnings for Babies Kit. The kits, which vary by country and cost about $10, contain items to improve hygiene at delivery and promote proper care of newborns such as soap for washing, a new blade for cutting the umbilical cord and a clean string for tying the cord. The kit will be paired with health worker counseling to new moms on issues like exclusive breastfeeding.
Two years ago, the Westwood family sent 329 caps and they're hoping to match or exceed that donation before the campaign ends December 31.
Anyone wanting to help can contact Barbara Gruener, counselor and knit-club sponsor, at Westwood.
“Better yet, why 'knot' join us on December 4!” Gruener said.
Tricia Puskar, Associate Director of Outreach in the Survive to 5 campaign, will meet with the members of the third-grade knitting club on Dec. 4, at 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria to talk with them about the importance of their service-learning efforts.
They have joined the Knit One, Save One campaign this fall and are knitting baby caps to help reduce the staggering infant mortality rate. Keeping a newborn warm is one of the simple steps for saving lives.
Research shows that 60 percent of the nearly 4 million newborn deaths that occur each year could be prevented if mothers and children in poor countries had access to a simple package of health measures.
This low-cost, effective package includes antibiotics to fight infections, immunizations against tetanus, training for birth attendants, education on breastfeeding and basic care for newborns such as keeping a baby - even those born in hot climates - warm with a knit cap in the first critical hours and days after birth.
America's leaders could save millions of newborn lives by increasing international assistance for programs that offer these affordable, life-saving tools. That's why Westwood knitters are also including a letter with each cap to President-elect Obama asking for his help in this worthwhile cause. Additionally, they will be attaching a tag to each cap with a special message for the mother and her child, whereby sending warm wishes and making a special connection between the miles.
Even if someone doesn’t know how to knit or crochet, she or he can get in the loop and help out. Many of the caps will be included in a Better Beginnings for Babies Kit. The kits, which vary by country and cost about $10, contain items to improve hygiene at delivery and promote proper care of newborns such as soap for washing, a new blade for cutting the umbilical cord and a clean string for tying the cord. The kit will be paired with health worker counseling to new moms on issues like exclusive breastfeeding.
Two years ago, the Westwood family sent 329 caps and they're hoping to match or exceed that donation before the campaign ends December 31.
Anyone wanting to help can contact Barbara Gruener, counselor and knit-club sponsor, at Westwood.
“Better yet, why 'knot' join us on December 4!” Gruener said.
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