Little Hats, Big Hearts

KNOXVILLE – Female Offenders at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX) recently completed a project in support of an American Heart Association (AHA) program.  The offenders donated over 200 hand-crocheted hats for newborn babies for the AHA’s Little Hats, Big Hearts initiative.

The project began around mid-November under the guidance of BCCX Recreation Specialist Staci Willey.  Approximately 10 female offenders participated in the project, spending a few hours each day crocheting the hats using donated yarn.  In all, 243 red hats were made, all of which were delivered to the Knoxville, Tennessee AHA Office.

“This was a project the offenders were very excited to be a part of and get involved with,” Ms. Willey said. “They were very passionate about their work and took a lot of pride in the fact they were giving back to such an admirable and important cause.”

The hats will be sent to participating hospitals all over East Tennessee, including the University of Tennessee Medical Center and Covenant Health facilities in Knoxville, Cookeville Regional Medical Center and all Mountain States Health Alliance facilities in the Tri-Cities, Tennessee area.

Launched in February of 2014, the Little Hats, Big Hearts initiative has expanded to more than 40 states and aims to spread awareness of heart disease and congenital heart defects, as well as encourage and empower mothers to live heart-healthy lives and help their children do the same.