| How to Change the World One Hat at a Time |
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| Written by Deborah Knight | |||
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The Hat Project is the brainchild of 73-year old social worker, Aïda Bound who has been featured in a CBS television news story, newspaper and magazine articles, and on the Huffington Post blog. While she's garnered a lot of attention for her charity, she quickly turns the focus away from herself and onto her initiative, a community-minded organization she works tirelessly to promote. Aïda started the project after she moved from Washington, DC where she worked with inner city teens and their families, to Wenatchee, WA, a small town in an area where migrant workers and low-income families sometimes struggle for the basic necessities of life. When she started her own business helping people de-clutter, Aïda encountered hoards of yarn that needed to be cleared out. Having been a knitter since age ten when her mother taught her the craft, she saw these enormous stashes as a useful resource and a fortuitous opportunity rather than merely clutter. She decided to use the yarn to knit hats for children who needed them.  A member of the Highgate Retirement Community creates a hat.
It wasn't long before she realized that local elderly groups wanted to do something useful and to feel part of a larger community. Soon, these two seemingly unrelated needs converged into a single brilliant idea: she'd encourage the elderly to knit hats for the local children. Best of all, she'd supply the yarn.
A natural leader and enthusiastic communicator, Aïda organized groups of men and women in retirement communities to join her initiative. In the first year they knitted and crocheted 1000 hats for the kids. Last year, they made 10,000.
The small group of knitters that Aïda first pulled together has grown into a thriving community that now includes church clubs, service clubs, senior centers and, as Aïda says, "any place people get together." The activity has become so popular that it even attracts men who join in on the fun and communal spirit, and there are a few young people who participate, as well. One lady is still happily creating hats even in her 97th year!
In total, The Hat Project has contributed over 25,000 hats to needy children, thanks to the efforts of community-minded individuals who enjoy using their talents to help others. Whether they produce one hat or as many as 100 a month from the more practiced knitters, Aïda is appreciative of the help. And the kids are appreciative, too.
 The children at Rock Island Elementary School are adorable in their new hats.
One five-year old with Downs Syndrome had refused to ever wear a hat. But when he received one from Aïda's group, he loved it so much he refused to take it off! His mother reported that he even wore his hat in the bathtub.
Sometimes the kids are surprised they actually get to keep the gift for themselves because they've never before had anything new to wear. Aïda says it's not unusual to see a local homeless person happily wearing a brilliantly colored cap. So much goodness has been achieved and so much joy shared thanks to the generosity of The Hat Project and the many businesses and services that support the group with donations of dollars and yarn.
What has Aïda learned as she's worked to create this wonderful initiative?
"There really are miracles. They happen every day if you just trust," she says. "Just trust yourself and see what happens."
Aïda trusted in the goodness and generous spirit of others and has been rewarded with Hat Projects popping up in many other towns. From its small start in Wenatchee, WA groups have formed in placed like Walla Walla, San Diego, Atlanta, Las Vegas and other cities and small towns throughout the nation.  This Grade One class poses in their new attire.
Still, with the help of her son-in-law — an attorney who assists with her computers — she works tirelessly to communicate the need to others and encourage them to set up groups of their own. And even though she's a hero to so many who have benefited from her efforts, she insists, "My heroes are the people who make it every day...they do not give up."
For more information please contact: The Hat Lady
How to Start a Hat Project in Your Communityby Aïda Bound  The Hat Lady with some very happy kids.
Think community! Who in your community would benefit from our program, BOTH hat makers and needy children. You need a small group of hat makers, some yarn donations and a few places to donate hats. Start small.
Hat makers Hat makers can be in a senior center, an assisted living facility, church/s, just a group of people anywhere and/or individuals in their homes—just a group of friends. Hat makers can be any age. Older people may have the skills to knit or crochet already. Anyone can do this! Looming is good for those who do not know how to knit or crochet and often someone is there to help.
Yarn Yarn donations can come from churches, from local advertising or anywhere where you might think people have left-over yarn. The local free paper gives us a free ad nearly weekly.
Children/Youth There are needy children in schools, in Head Start programs, food banks, homeless shelters, etc. Think about the programs you might have in your community.
Getting the word out about The Hat Project  Another delighted first grade class in their brand new hats.
You will know places in your community where people may have yarn to donate. Small yarn shops can be a resource. Churches, senior centers, community clubs such as Kiwanis. Your local newspaper might do a small article or just a little blurb about your Hat Project. Radio and TV have not worked for us, but you never know! Word of mouth works the best! I knit when waiting for my doctor's appointment, meeting with someone, wherever. People will ask what I am making and that gives me the excuse to tell them about our Hat Project and I always have my flyers with pictures of the children in their hats ready to give them so they won't forget. I ask them to join us and tell about the need for yarn! Check with your RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program).
For more information about starting your own Hat Project, contact:
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