February 9, 2009 – Baby Beanie Workshop

Voices of Women held our first Baby Beanie workshop on February 28, 2009.  We would like to thank the following VOW supporters for participating in the event: Pat Armstrong, Pat Launer, Connie LeFevre, Mary Anne Paul, Jeanette Rigopoulous, Seema Sueko, Nancy Witt, Raquel Arostegui, Judy Carol, Jane Howell, Marie Hutchison, Joan Keetch, Marjorie Jackson, Ellen Jacob, Dian Jones, Peggy Hetherington and Karla Cisneros.  VOW Board Director Carol Clarke taught the participants how to use the looms to knit the baby beanies, with assistance from Board Directors Pamela Perkins and Anne Rast, and supporters Edith Fine, Hillary Crain and Ginny Vanderway.

When VOW planned this event, it was with the desire to thank our supporters with an event that contributed to an inspirational and worthy cause.  The two-hour workshop achieved so much more.  The women shared conversation, stories and a closeness that comes from a circle dedicated to helping others.  Each supporter bought the knitting supplies for only $10.00, and through Carol’s excellent teaching skills, more than half of the participants completed their first baby beanie at the workshop.  

VOW will repeat the baby beanie workshop and will also continue to organize events throughout the year for our supporters, whose dedication and commitment help VOW to continue with our mission.

May 2010 update from Carol Clarke, who leads this project:

Our count is now 4938 beanies mailed to the American College of Nurse Midwives and then dispersed around the world.

Our youngest knitters are about 12, 13 and 14 yrs old at Hillsdale Middle School Kiwanis Builders Club in El Cajon, who donated 103 beanies they knitted in about 3 months. Our oldest knitter is 87 yrs old and she has produced 485 beanies herself.