Caps from All 50 States Posted on New, Interactive Google Map 

WESTPORT, Conn. (Dec. 23, 2008) — More than 30,000 tiny handmade baby caps have poured into Save the Children's processing center at the Doe Fund in Brooklyn, New York, as knitters and crocheters from across the United States are racing to send in their creations before the Knit One, Save One year-end deadline. 

Knit One, Save One is a national grassroots initiative of the global humanitarian organization Save the Children and the Warm Up America Foundation launched in September. The campaign seeks to engage knitters and crocheters to take action for the 4 million newborns who die each year in poor countries. Campaign participants are asked to make a cap to keep a newborn in Africa or Asia warm, and write a personal note to President-elect Barack Obama urging him to do more to increase newborn survival globally.

Thousands of knitters and crocheters have been honing their craft skills over the past four months to help needy babies in poor countries. Cap makers include elementary school students, grandmothers, businesses, church groups, youth clubs and knitting clubs. Colorful caps from all 50 states have been processed and counted, with hundreds of new packages arriving daily at the center.

Over 30,000 handmade caps were sent to Save the Children's Knit One, Save One campaign as of Dec. 2008. Photo by The San Francisco School.

"It's heartwarming to see the outpouring of support among Americans to help newborns in other countries have a better chance at survival," said Mary Beth Powers, chief of Save the Children's Survive to 5 campaign. "These simple actions of caring individuals, multiplied by many people across the country, can make a real difference for the babies who receive these caps and for the mothers who will be counseled on proper newborn care."

Many of the caps are adorned with little tags that include a handwritten message to the mom and baby who will receive them. Among the cap tags received:

• "I love babies because I was a baby to," wrote Tatiana, age 8, of Texas.
• "Stitches from my heart to you and your little bundle of joy," Stephanie of Utah wrote to the mom and baby.
• Val of Virginia wrote, "May your baby grow big and strong."
• "Hope your baby ceeps warm. Thank you." Lucy, age 7, of Connecticut wrote on her cap tag.

"Map A Cap" on Google Maps Connects Knitters and Crocheters

Cap makers from across the country are connecting with each other through Map a Cap, an interactive Google Maps online feature. Knitters and crocheters can share photos and videos of their cap projects and Knit One, Save One campaign events. The map also includes a state-by-state count of contributed caps, providing a fun competition among cap makers.

"It's a great way to link up and see what other knitters and crocheters are doing for the project, and it's fun to watch the cap count grow in each state each week," said Tricia Puskar, associate director of outreach for Save the Children's Survive to 5 campaign.

The caps, along with advice on proper newborn care, will be given to pregnant women and new moms and their babies in Save the Children programs around the world. Save the Children will take the notes to Washington, D.C. early next year.

To join the Knit One, Save One community, download an Action Kit with instructions, cap tag and sample patterns at www.savethechildren.org/knitonesaveone. The deadline for cap and note collection is December 31, 2008.

Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org) is the leading, independent organization creating lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. For more than 75 years, Save the Children has worked to improve the lives of children and their families through programs in health, education and economic opportunities, and during times of crisis and conflict. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 100 countries.