More than 1,000 babies born in February in Lake, Porter and LaPorte County will be decked out in reds hats courtesy of the American Heart Association’s “Little Hats, Big Hearts” program. The American Heart Association in Northwest Indiana is kicking off the fourth year of the Little Hats, Big Hearts™ campaign by collecting knitted or crocheted red baby hats which are then distributed to all participating hospitals throughout the region. The campaign is being sponsored locally by Bosak Auto Group and Ozinga.
February is American Heart Month, and the week of Feb. 7-14 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death in the United States and in Indiana, and congenital heart defects are the leading birth defect in newborns. The Little Hats, Big Hearts program raises awareness about both while offering new parents information about the signs and symptoms of congenital heart defects in infants.
Hats will be collected through Feb. 15 and can be dropped off at local Bosak Auto Group locations. Volunteers are encouraged to visit: www.heart.org/LittleHatsBigHearts for hat patterns and more information about the initiative.
The American Heart Association is looking for hats in both newborn and preemie sizes made of yarn that is red, cotton or acrylic, medium to heavy weight, and machine washable and dryable. Donations of yarn are also accepted.
Congenital Heart Defects Facts:
Congenital heart defects are America’s No. #1 birth defect. Nearly one of every 100 babies is born with a CHD.
Congenital heart defects are the leading cause of all infant deaths in the United States.
Each year approximately 40,000 babies are born in the United States with a congenital heart defect. Thousands of them will not reach their first birthday and thousands more die before they reach adulthood.
Drop your hats or yarn donations off at any of the following locations: Bosak Honda, Highland; Bosak Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Merrillville; Bosak Honda, Michigan City;
Bosak Kia, Burns Harbor; and Bosak Chevrolet, Burns Harbor.
To learn more about the program here in Northwest Indiana, call 219-765-0127 or visit www.heart.org/LittleHatsBigHearts
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies, and share lifesaving resources and information.
