AMAA Program Provides Hats and Blankets for Newborns in Armenia
Monday, January 5th, 2015
http://asbarez.com/130426/amaa-program-provides-hats-and-blankets-for-newborns-in-armenia/
Nancy Burdman and Betty Cherkezian with hand-knit blankets and hats
for newborn babies
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.
Over 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.
Recognizing this need, "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 inches by 30 inches in size. Newborn hats should be between 9
inches to 14 inches 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 writes: "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 handwork. 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."
Expectant teacher-mothers at AMAA's Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian
School and Community Center in Yerevan
During this Christmas and New Year season, with the cooperation of the
Head of the Malatya-Sebastya Administrative District of Yerevan, a
special event was organized at AMAA's Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian
School and Community Center for all expectant teacher-mothers of the
neighborhood. The expectant teacher-mothers were welcomed in the
school hall by the school principal Melanya Geghamyan, AMAA Armenian
representative Harout Nersessian and the head of the Education
Department of Malatia-Sebastia district. During the gathering special
film was presented devoted to maternity. It was a joyous occasion at
which time each expectant teacher-mother received hats, blankets and
other clothing "Stitched with Love" for their soon to be born babies,
as well as 2015 calendars, greeting cards and booklets about AMAA. The
event was highlighted in the Malatya-Sebastya local press.
"It is the hope of the ladies of 'Stitched with Love' program, that
there will come a time, when all the newborn babies in Armenia will go
home with their mothers, swaddled in a blanket and hat made by caring
individuals like you," a statement from the AMAA reads.
For more information on how to participate and help in this effort,
contact the AMAA office at 201-265-2607, or visit amaa.org and click
on the "Stitched with Love" tab. Donations to cover the cost of yarn,
transportation and freight can be mailed to the AMAA at 31 West
Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652. To make a donation by credit card,
you may call the AMAA office or visit AMAA's website.
Monday, January 5th, 2015
http://asbarez.com/130426/amaa-program-provides-hats-and-blankets-for-newborns-in-armenia/
Nancy Burdman and Betty Cherkezian with hand-knit blankets and hats
for newborn babies
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.
Over 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.
Recognizing this need, "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 inches by 30 inches in size. Newborn hats should be between 9
inches to 14 inches 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 writes: "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 handwork. 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."
Expectant teacher-mothers at AMAA's Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian
School and Community Center in Yerevan
During this Christmas and New Year season, with the cooperation of the
Head of the Malatya-Sebastya Administrative District of Yerevan, a
special event was organized at AMAA's Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian
School and Community Center for all expectant teacher-mothers of the
neighborhood. The expectant teacher-mothers were welcomed in the
school hall by the school principal Melanya Geghamyan, AMAA Armenian
representative Harout Nersessian and the head of the Education
Department of Malatia-Sebastia district. During the gathering special
film was presented devoted to maternity. It was a joyous occasion at
which time each expectant teacher-mother received hats, blankets and
other clothing "Stitched with Love" for their soon to be born babies,
as well as 2015 calendars, greeting cards and booklets about AMAA. The
event was highlighted in the Malatya-Sebastya local press.
"It is the hope of the ladies of 'Stitched with Love' program, that
there will come a time, when all the newborn babies in Armenia will go
home with their mothers, swaddled in a blanket and hat made by caring
individuals like you," a statement from the AMAA reads.
For more information on how to participate and help in this effort,
contact the AMAA office at 201-265-2607, or visit amaa.org and click
on the "Stitched with Love" tab. Donations to cover the cost of yarn,
transportation and freight can be mailed to the AMAA at 31 West
Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652. To make a donation by credit card,
you may call the AMAA office or visit AMAA's website.