Click Your Needles to Prevent Infant Abuse June 28, 2013, PARSONS, KS – In an effort to raise community awareness concerning the dangers of shaking a baby, Parsons Public Library is once again partnering with the Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) and the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome in the campaign “Click for Babies: the Period of Purple Crying.” The national grassroots campaign invites knitters and crocheters to make purple colored baby caps which will be delivered to newborn families in hospitals to help educate parents about the “Period of Purple Crying,” a normal but frustrating period of increased crying that all infants experience in the first few weeks and months after birth. Last year, Parsons Public Library was one of 7 libraries in the state to participate in the campaign, and was cited for collecting a total of 432 hats. “This year we have been challenged to defend our title,” said Jean Strader, Library Director. “A few days ago the director of the Neodesha library called to put me on notice that they are out to beat us this year and their goal is 500 hats. So, we have set our goal at 600.” “Last year, we only did the campaign in August and September, but we are starting in July this year. Considering the enthusiastic response that we had last year, I’m sure that our community will pull together and help us achieve our goal”. In conjunction with the campaign, Parsons Public Library will host a series of knitting and crocheting classes. Crafters of all experience levels are encouraged to participate. Complete novices will be able to receive instruction, and more experienced knitters/crocheters are encouraged to come and share tips or just enjoy a relaxing morning of knitting or crocheting. Crochet classes will be taught by Peggy Blackburn, and will be held on Tuesdays in July and August from 10:30 to noon. The dates are: July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6, August 13, August 20, and August 27. Knitting classes will be taught by Pam Blackburn, and will be held on Fridays in July from 10:30 to noon. The dates are: July 5, July 12, July 19, and July 26. For both classes, there is a class limit of 10 participants per session, and signup for each session is required. Patrons may attend one or any number of sessions. Plan on bringing your own hooks/needles (size J crochet hook/size 8 knitting needles are recommended, but others may work depending on pattern and gauge). Yarn and patterns will be supplied, or patrons may bring their own yarn if desired. Crafters may also make caps at home and drop them off at the library. All caps need to be finished and turned in to the library by Friday, September 27, so that the library can send them to the collection site in Wichita. From there they will be laundered, tagged, and distributed to Kansas hospitals along with the Period of Purple Crying DVD, an evidence based program that educates parents about normal infant crying, ways to cope with crying, and the dangers of reacting in frustration by shaking or abusing an infant. There are a few guidelines for creating the caps. Crafters may create as many caps as desired using any newborn baby cap pattern and any shade of soft, baby-friendly purple yarn. Pom-poms that hang from strings and straps under the chin are discouraged as they pose potential choking hazards. Other colors may be present, but the cap must be at least 50% purple. As a general rule, caps should have a circumference between 7.5-13.5 inches and a height of 3.5-6 inches. For those crafters who don’t already have a favorite pattern, free patterns may be downloaded from the website clickforbabies.org, or pick one up at the library. Hats collected by the library will be on display in the lobby. Those who do not knit or crochet, but who wish to contribute to the effort, may donate skeins of any soft, baby-friendly purple yarn. The yarn will be used in the classes, and may be dropped off at the library anytime. “Click for Babies”, now in its third year, is a collaborative effort between the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome and thirteen states and four Canadian provinces which have implemented the “Period of Purple Crying” program. The Kansas 2013 goal is to collect 8,000 caps. More information on the period of purple crying and tips on soothing babies can be found at purplecrying.info. The classes will take place at the library, 311 South 17th St. For more information, contact the library (620-421-5920) or email [email protected].
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 20:46:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015