Each month, we feature a charity that helps others through knitting and crochet. This month's charity is Newborns in Need, which distributes newborn kits to economically disadvantaged families, preemie layettes for babies in NICUs, and more.

A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Newborns in Need is dedicated to helping families and caregivers struggling to care for their newborns in the first few months of life. Founded in 1992, the organization has grown from just one person making a difference to thousands of volunteers organized into chapters all across the U.S. In 2007, over 500,000 items were donated to needy babies in the U.S. by the organization.

Made up of tireless volunteers, Newborns in Need, is dedicated to making sure that the teen mom, the stressed family, the mother overwhelmed in sadness over the loss of her baby, has somewhere to turn for help. While store-bought donations are always in demand, handmade items crafted by a volunteer seem to touch the recipients most.

Volunteers knit, crochet, and sew blankets and clothing that are provided completely free of charge to hospitals, crisis centers, shelters, and pregnancy help centers. Sweaters, hats and booties in both preemie and newborn sizes, blankets, and burial buntings and layettes are just a few of the items that can be knitted or crocheted for needy newborns and their families. In the past, one of Newborns In Need’s greatest fundraisers were original crochet, knit and sewing patterns donated to the organization to be printed as a set and sold to raise money to purchase supplies. Newborns in Need would like to publish a new set and original designs are needed.

In September of 2007, the Newborns in Need National Office moved from Missouri to North Carolina as it had outgrown its previous space. Since January of this year, eight new chapters have sprung up across the country bringing the total to 40. The goal of Newborns in Need is to use donations in the state where they were made, as often as possible. To find a local chapter, please click here. Please send your items to a chapter near you.

In August of 2008, Newborns in Need is launching a nationwide baby shower to encourage communities to help support its mission. Chapters will be holding showers in their local areas, and in areas where no chapter is located, organizations can register to hold a NIN baby shower by sending an email to largestbabyshower@newbornsinneed.org.

For more information about Newborns in Need, please visit its website.

For free baby patterns, visit our Pattern Finder.