Wilma Seeyle with caps her grandaughters helped make. For this Grandmother, Knitting Project Empowers Granddaughters to Make a Difference Wilma Seeyle of Santa Barbara, Calif. was a born teacher. For years, she taught blind children how to perform daily tasks to become independent adults. In college, she learned how to knit, then taught her mother. When her granddaughters became old enough, she taught them too. After reading news reports last May that a simple knit cap can help save a baby’s life, Wilma contacted Save the Children to see what she could do to help. She became one of the knitters who inspired the Caps to the Capital project. When the Caps to the Capital initiative was launched last month, Wilma decided to engage her granddaughters; Sophie, age 7, and Madeline, age 9, during their two-week summer visit. She explained that they — even at their young age — could make a difference in their world. “I hope it gives them a sense of empowerment,” said Wilma. “It isn’t your physical size that matters — my granddaughters are tiny — it’s what you actually do.” So, Wilma started knitting caps. Her granddaughters initially joined in by making pompoms. Seven-year-old Sophie however opted for a crocheted bow for her cap instead. “I explained to them that their pompom wasn’t just decorative. That the hat has a hole on top and the pompom keeps the baby even warmer,” said Wilma. Upon hearing this, Sophie, became concerned. She was afraid that the bow on her cap would not cover the hole properly to keep the baby warm. “I assured her it was secured tightly enough to cover the hole,” said Wilma. Both granddaughters wrote their own notes to President Bush. Sophie tells the President, “I hope the babies get what they need,” while Madeline adds in her letter that, “WE CARE!” The girls’ visit with their grandmother is now over. Wilma is taking on a new teaching assignment later this month. She will teach new students – all grandmothers – at the Braille Institute of Santa Barbara how to knit using the cap pattern. They’ll be knitting caps to keep babies they've never seen, in countries they may never visit, warm. Learn more about the Caps to the Capital project. Download the Caps to the Capital Action Kit (PDF) Stay in the loop. Sign up for our enewsletter. Donate to Save the Children's health programs.