You never know when your life is going to change forever. In one subtle moment you can be stopped in your tracks. Uncertain. Scared. Devastated. For a close friend of mine, her life was altered three years ago. Pierce, her 18 month old, wasn’t feeling well so she took him to the doctor. Just like I have done with my own three countless times. Load the kids up in the car, expect to go find out they have a virus or ear infection, and head home. Her day didn’t go like this. At all.
My friend, Melanie Bimson, has spent the last three years of her life raising a warrior. She, herself, is a warrior mom. Pierce was diagnosed with Leukemia and you can read all about their story on her Caring Bridge page. Three years of literally fighting for his life. Three very long years filled with more chemo than most adult regimes. This has been Pierce’s reality. He takes nightly and weekly chemo at home, monthly steroids, monthly IV chemo, as well as regular spinal taps so they can check his spinal fluid for cancer – and they replace the spinal fluid removed with chemo.
Through Pierce, they have witnessed some remarkable children fight for their young lives. Warriors. 46/7 is a very real figure, and we want to do whatever we can to help make the journey of these small warriors just a little bit happier. 46/7 is a common figure used in the pediatric cancer community. It refers to the number of children diagnosed with cancer each weekday (46), and the number of children who will die each weekday (7).
Time and again at Craft Hope we have learned that little things make a big difference. For the past few years we have collected handmade goods from around the world for people who need a little HOPE.
So are you ready?!? For Project 16 :: The Littlest Warriors, we will be collecting handmade beanies and bags for kids just like Pierce who are fighting cancer. Pierce’s mom, Melanie, has graciously volunteered to collect and distribute the items to the kids who need them most.
Here are the details:
We need BEANIES (hats) for babies through teenagers. All noggin sizes. They can be knit, crochet, fabric. You name it. They can be embellished with flowers and bows. But don’t forget about the boys. They need hats too. It’s very difficult to find adorable hats and we think this community is the best place to get them. There are a hundred and one patterns online for beanies/hats. If you have one you’d like to share post it in the comments and I’ll put up a post to share with everyone.
And…
We need BAGS for the kids to take with them to the hospital. They can be simple tote bag style or whatever suits your fancy. And if you are so inclined fill them up with goodies for the kids. Some ideas are books, puzzles, crayons, coloring books. The opportunities are endless. I’ll post ideas and suggestions shortly.
As with any Craft Hope project, don’t get lost in the details. Make a bag or a beanie. Make twenty. Get a group together and make bags and/or beanies. It’s totally up to you! There aren’t measurement requirements. If you find a pattern you like, go for it. I loved receiving the sock monkeys and seeing that each one had his own little personality. That’s exactly what we are hoping for with this project.
Melanie lives up in Minnesota and will be distributing the beanies and bags to the Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, the Miracles of Mitch Foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House. Melanie will also be a guest blogger here at Craft Hope giving you loads of information about these little warriors.
The deadline for Project 16 :: The Littlest Warriors is Monday, March 12, 2012. Please mail the beanies and bags to:
Melanie Bimson 16026 Temple Drive Minnetonka, MN 55345One friend made in a new town. One sweet boy’s Leukemia diagnosis. Craft Hope. Thousands of lives touched and changed. It’s that simple.
And for Pierce today… He’s 4 1/2 and gets his port out on January 31st. He takes his final round of chemo on February 11th. He has this paper chain that hangs from his bedpost to countdown to the big day. He is WINNING.
Leave a comment on this post if you’d like to participate and start crafting. Spread the word on your blog. Share this on Facebook. Tweet about this project. Join us. Spread hope. Make a difference. Simply because you CAN.
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[...] The Littlest Warriors is their most current project, and they are asking for handmade beanies and bags for children that are facing a challenging journey with cancer. The children can carry their bags, filled with all their favorite things for their hospital visits, or treatments. You have the option to fill the bag with items that would delight any child (please use good sense, and keep safety in mind). Cute, unique, funky beanies are also desired (all sizes from babies to teens). And, don’t forget they need items for both boys and girls. It’s a great opportunity to create “stitches that count.” It doesn’t matter if you make one item, or 20, they are all needed, and wanted. [...]
[...] i hope i didn’t leave any info out- but here’s a link to the website: http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/ Share this:Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Posted in [...]
[...] and months–my fingers have been busy! I’ve already got two hats down for the next Craft Hope project. What’s that? Why yes, I DO have some crappy cameraphone pictures for you! Because real [...]
Hiya!
I organize a craft night at our church 2x a month. I am bringing this cause to our group and I hope to get some participation. Will you be accepting donations after the closing date? I have 2 small kids and don’t get to knit as much as I’d like, but I want to send several hats!
Also, is there a preferred fabric / material? I have tons of acrylic, but I can also do cotton!
Definitely sending some hats, and maybe some bags too!
Definitely sending some hats. I’m going to try to make some bags and maybe a small toy
I belong to a group of Mom’s who sell their handmade crafts, and we are going to participate! This is a great project, and we have mom’s all over the US that crochet, knit and sew and would LOVE to help! Thank you so much!
http://cafemometsymoms.blogspot.com/2012/02/craft-hope-littlest-warriors-charity.html
I can’t wait to get started on this, it truly is a special project.
Hello. I help lead a small group at my church (River Valley Church, in Apple Valley MN). Our group is called Crafting for a Cause – and it was inspired by this book. We will help with the project! thanks for the opportunity!
Amy
I am very interested in helping. I don’t do hats or totes, but I do have crochet headbands that I can attach flowers or bows to for the girls. Would that be ok? If not, I understand. I can always just donate money =)
I make hats, special hats not your common hat, I am committing to participate….I will focus more for the boys as I know they are harder. I look forward to seeing how the response is!!!!
I just posted on my blog (http://kjllovemylife.blogspot.com/2012/02/crafting-for-cause.html) to recruit help from my friends. I’ll also be posting to our local homeschool group to see if I can get more local participation. Hoping to send a large box of beanies and bags! And if nothing else, I’ll be sending several of my own bags…
hola soy Nancy de Uruguay, quiero saber si la direccion correcta es Minnetonka o Minnesota? debo saberlo lo antes posible, quiero enviar algunos gorros pero el envio demora casi 20 dias…por favor que alguien me responda si la direccion para enviarlos esta correcta o no…gracias…mi correo es nanrodiana@gmail.com
[...] hope has a great new project going now. you can read about project 16:: the littlest warriors here. the deadline is march 12th, 2012 so you still have time to make a bag or beanies (or both!) [...]
Just finished making some totes n filling them. Will see if I have time to make any hats!
hi, im Nancy from Uruguay again, i´m sending 3 hats and bags for girls and 3 hats and bags for boys, i have no much time to send the package because it will arrive in about 20 days…hugs Nancy
Hi! I’ll be knitting a few hats. Thanks for hosting another great project.
Kelly
Wisconsin
[...] Craft Hope: http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/ [...]
I’ll be sending some hats and hopefully a bag or two. I’m happy to be a part of project 16!
[...] now I am starting up a new round of my tote-sewing for Craft Hope’s project 16: the littlest warriors. Jade of Craft Hope has teamed up with Melanie – a friend whose son Pierce has battled [...]
Yep, we are in for Project 16 too! We’ll be sending some hats and bags from Northern Ontario, Canada.
A friend and I are making beanies to help out. We have handful done already and they work up quickly so I hope to add many more!
Thank you so much for all you do to help improve the lives of children. I am going to do my best to get a couple beenies made and sent. I will also share your website on my blog.
Hello from south Florida. My daughter sent me a link to this blog to encourage me to do something with the tote bags I made and hoped to sell at a craft sale. They didn’t all sell. So two friends and I have been busy adding 20plus totes to send soon, and some little goodies to put in the bags. So happy to be a part of this project.
[...] the Radio Room hat (which she totally needs to get up on ravelry). This will be another hat for Craft Hope’s Project 16. I finished a baby hat (it fit those babes at the workshop well enough), and this one is moving [...]
I’m hoping to make 3 hats and 3 bags.
I just finished my first knitted hat ever! Yay! I might make another!
I’ve had this project on my mind since you first posted it. Just started sewing up a bag and will hopefully have a few more to send out to you soon!
I’ve finished a few little hats and are now on their way. They are coming all the way from Toronto, Canada. I hope they will help. I’m also blogging about this great cause on my site as well.
[...] couple of weeks ago I mentioned the latest project from Craft Hope was to collect beanies (hats) for all ages, baby through teen, and bags. These items would go to [...]
I’m have so much fun sewing hats to send. I feel as though I’m almost as blessed to be able to make the hats as the children who will receive them. So far I have 8 ready to go and fabric for several more.
I’m making Bags and possibly some hats, made 5 yesterday
I feel the same as the commenter above, I am blessed to participate! Much love
Hello. I’m sending a box of little hats in tomorrow’s mail. They aren’t fancy because I haven’t learned those yet, but I really hope they help.
I am sending a small stuffed elephant and a couple bags tomorrow. They are coming from Canada, my Mom & I loved this idea. We are glad we could be a part of this!
I finished knitting 2 hats and may get a third one done.