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Save the Children and Warm Up America Launch Knit One, Save One
New Campaign to Save Millions of Newborn Lives in Developing Countries
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Knit One, Save One initiative asks knitters, crocheters for cap donations and letters to the next president asking for newborn health support. |
WESTPORT, Conn. (Sept. 9, 2008) — As the presidential election season heats up, U.S. knitters and crocheters of all political stripes are uniting together to save newborn babies and urge the President-elect to increase funds for global child survival.
It's part of a grassroots initiative, Knit One, Save One, launched today by the global humanitarian organization Save the Children and the Warm Up America Foundation that seeks to engage knitters and crocheters to take action for the four million babies who die each year within the first month of life in poor countries.
"In 2006, we had almost 25,000 knitters and crocheters, ages 5 to 99, from all 50 states use their skills and voice to help newborn babies globally," said Mary Beth Powers, Campaign Chief for Save the Children's
Survive to 5 campaign. "This year we hope to double that number to 50,000 Americans who will let our leaders in Washington, D.C. know that this is an issue that we all care about."
"We are thrilled to partner with Save the Children on this initiative," said Mary Colucci, executive director of Warm Up America. "We are encouraging knitters and crocheters of all ages to host gatherings with friends and families, local community groups, or classmates, and to help us spread the word through their social networking sites."
Save the Children's Knit One, Save One initiative is asking knitters and crocheters by December 31, 2008 to knit or crochet one baby cap, and to write a personal note to the President-elect asking him to lead the way to save millions of babies globally.
"Although a cap can help save one baby's life, a letter to the new President can help save millions more," said Powers. "Along with a cap, each participant is asked to write a personal note to the new President asking that the United States make the health of mothers and babies around the world a higher priority."
Early next year, Save the Children will take the notes to the President-elect to Washington, D.C. The caps will then be distributed to pregnant women and new moms and their babies in Save the Children's programs globally.
Research shows that 60 percent of the 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 package includes antibiotics to fight infections, immunizations against tetanus, training for skilled birth attendants, education on breastfeeding and basic care such as keeping a baby warm — even those born in hot climates — with a knit cap. America's leaders could save millions of newborn lives by increasing international assistance for programs that offer these inexpensive life-saving tools.
To download the Save the Children's Knit One, Save One Action Kit, find out about upcoming local events, read updates on the project, or to learn other ways to support the initiative as a non-knitter, go to savethechildren.org/knitonesaveone or call 1-800-728-3843. To join the online community and share your experience with the Knit One, Save One project, visit savethechildren.org/friends.
"This is a worthy project not only for seasoned knitters and crocheters, but also for children and adults who want to learn," said Colucci. "There are a lot of happy knitters and crocheters who would love to teach their craft if asked." To find a local knitting or crocheting group or to learn helpful tips, go to www.warmupamerica.com.
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Save the Children is the leading independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. 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.
Information concerning Save the Children Federation, Inc., including financial, licensing or charitable purposes may be obtained, without cost, by writing to Save the Children Federation, Inc., Assistant Corporate Secretary, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880, or by calling 1-800-728-3843.
The Warm Up America! Foundation is committed to motivating, training and coordinating volunteers to knit and crochet clothing and afghans for people in need. Since the Warm Up! America Foundation was founded in the early 1990s, volunteers have knitted and crocheted 12 million squares that were joined into hundreds of thousands of afghans.
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