August 18, 2010

Local Knitters and Crafters to Share Talent with Kids in Need on August 22, 2010

The DC Craft Mafia is teaming up with Stitch DC to promote Happy Heads, DC, a local charity that benefits the District of Columbia’s youngest residents. An afternoon of knitting, food and craft giveaways on August 22 at Stitch DC’s Capitol Hill location at 731 8th St, SE will benefit Happy Heads, DC. Crafters from across the area have been invited.

Happy Heads, DC was launched during the 2003-2004 winter season by a former employee of the Safe Shores—The D.C. Children's Advocacy Center, a direct service nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and working directly with child victims of sexual and physical abuse in the District of Columbia. DC area knitters and crocheters were asked to pool their talents to make hats for children served by Safe Shores, many of whom did not have proper winter clothing protection.

In 2005, the program received attention from members of Congress, including Safe Shores supporter Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC At-Large), Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY 2nd), and former Congressman Bud Cramer (D-AL-5th), founder of the National Children’s Advocacy Center.

DC Craft Mafia is the local chapter of the national group Craft Mafia, which is dedicated to strengthening the independent artist community and educating the public on the importance of buying handmade crafts and performing community outreach. This will be Happy Head’s first event at Stitch DC. Participants are asked to make a donation of new school supplies, new toiletries or other items that Safe Shores needs in order to continue to protect and serve DC children.

For more information, contact Emily Landsman of the DC Craft Mafia at 202.258.1287.

Original Press Release (2005)

Happy Heads has been around for some time ... check out the original press release from 2005 in which members of congress lauded the program's efforts.

Download the press release (PDF)