Just like many of us in the month of February, Ed Moseley and the other residents at Dogwood Forest decided to spread love for a good cause.
Honoring February’s Heart Month, the residents knitted about 300 red caps for the newborns at Northside Hospital. The donation coincided with Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week (Feb. 7 -14) and is part of the Metro Atlanta American Heart Association’s Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign to raise awareness of congenital heart disease in newborns, as well as the need to fight heart disease in general.
“In the U.S., over 40,000 babies a year are born with congenital heart disease and we want to catch any issues quickly in order to make sure these children have the best outcomes,” said Joy Holmes, executive director of the American Heart Association. “The Little Hats, Big Hearts initiative allows us an opportunity to put living heart healthy on the minds of new mothers from the very beginning. It also makes sure those same new moms are aware of any warning signs that might indicate that their infant has a heart problem.”
All babies born in February receive a locally knitted or crocheted red baby hat along with a family kit that provides resources and educational material. Little Hats, Big Hearts began in Chicago in 2014 and has grown to include 460 hospitals in 40 states. The campaign is locally supported by MiMedx Group and the it supports Northside, WellStar and Piedmont hospitals.
“After delivering the first caps in November, I was overwhelmed by the dedication and passion of the Northside Hospital staff. They asked for red caps for the February Heart Month. When we started the red cap program, resident knitter Lorraine Waddles came on board to help us reach our goal,” Moseley said. Since November, Moseley and his team of knitters have delivered over 600 caps with love. They are now working on a Mother’s Day project.
Volunteers like Moseley are essential to AHA’s cause. Through its Heart Walks, CycleNation event and Go Red For Women luncheon, people can participate or volunteer for these fundraising events. Additionally, people can also join the volunteer army of Atlantans who are knitting the little red caps.
“Each little hat has been knitted by a volunteer with love and an appreciation for what congenital heart defect survivors and their families go through,” added Holmes. “It’s their way of giving back and supporting the cause.”
In other news: Procter & Gamble presented United Way of Southwest Georgia with a $20,000 donation to help rebuild the community of Albany, Georgia after a massive tornado hit the city on January 22, 2017. The donation is part of P&G's ongoing efforts to aid its local employees, friends and neighbors affected by the recent tornadoes that hit the city. P&G has contributed over $300,000 worth of P&G Product Kits to residents of the community, and 400 loads of laundry washed through Tide's Loads of Hope effort. Additionally, in partnership with the American Red Cross and Matthew 25: Ministries, more than 700 personal care kits, 300 cleaning kits, 1,550 Bounty paper towels and 2,700 rolls of Charmin toilet paper were distributed to those in need.
Information: heart.org/litlehatsbighearts
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