PARAMUS, N.J. — Late in 2013, Betty Cherkezian and Nancy Burdman of New Jersey, came up with the idea of Stitched with Love, a program to provide newborn children in Armenia with much-needed hats and blankets. The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) liked the idea and adopted the program as part of its relief efforts in Armenia.
More than 40,000 babies are born in Armenia each year, yet few Armenian hospitals distribute hats and blankets to newborns and none are distributed in small towns and villages.
Stitched with Love strives to provide knitted or crocheted hats and baby blankets to newborns in maternity hospitals throughout Armenia. To achieve this goal, Stitched with Love has reached out to Armenian communities in the United States and has received growing support from donors and knitters who wish to participate in this cause.
Patterns and designs are also welcome. Blankets should be a minimum of 30” x 30” in size. Newborn hats should be between 9” to 14” in diameter. If needed, a basic pattern is provided on the AMAA website. It is required that only acrylic worsted weight yarn is used.
The support provided from individuals, community organizations and church groups has been very encouraging and is making a real contribution to the infants in Armenia. A lady from North Carolina who recently participated in this program wrote: “My maternal grandmother was the sole survivor in her family of the Genocide. It is through her and my mother that I was passed the talent of sewing and handiwork. I am grateful to God and to them for this gift and try to use that gift in service to others. Thanks for your work in making this dream of helping Armenian babies and children a reality.”
