The American Heart Association has started a campaign to raise awareness of heart-related diseases.
Now through December 31st, newborn and premature-sized red knitted or crocheted hats will be accepted at American Heart Association locations for the second annual “Little Hats, Big Hearts” campaign.
It’s designed to bring awareness to heart disease and heart-related birth defects. They are considered by the group to be one of the top killers of Americans, annually.
Similar hat collection events are taking place in states across the country through the end of the year. Volunteers often participate by knitting the hats themselves. The American Heart Association has templates for patterns and materials available on their website with more information about the campaign.
Last year, the non-profit collected more than 5-thousand hats from Hoosier participants to give to Indiana newborns. Those hats were distributed to 40 hospitals throughout the state.
Following the collection drive, hats will be given to newborns in Indiana during February – which is American Heart Month – to finish the campaign.