Inmates to crochet blankets for We Care babies

By Diane Saunders
Staff Writer
Published on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 9:14 AM MST

Inmates at the Arizona State Prison-Safford will be adding a bit of warmth to the community.

“They’re going to be crocheting baby blankets,” said Robert Miller of the warden’s office at the Arizona State Prison-Safford.

Four to six inmates will be taught to crochet, and using donated yarn, will make the blankets for the We Care Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Julie Bashaw, director of the We Care Crisis Pregnancy Center, displays several crocheted baby blankets donated by inmates of the Arizona Department of Corrections. Contributed photo

The idea for the blanket project began when a prison staff member mentioned that the pregnancy center needed help. Several inmates volunteered to sort eight large trash bags filled with baby clothes. Miller said the clothes had to be sorted by size and by gender.

When he delivered the sorted clothes to the center, Miller learned that baby blankets were needed. He contacted the women’s prison at Perryville, where inmates crochet baby blankets and clothing. The Perryville prison sent several baby blankets and ponchos for the center.

“I’m really appreciating this. He (Miller) brought me some beautiful blankets,” center Director Julie Bashaw said.

Next, the Safford prison staff suggested inmates there could crochet blankets for the pregnancy center, and several members of the prison staff donated yarn.

Miller said four to six inmates in the Tonto Unit will be taught how to crochet by staff members and will make the baby blankets.

A checkout procedure for the crochet hooks will be put in place.

Valley residents can donate yarn for the project by dropping it off at the We Care Crisis Pregnancy Center, 101 W. Main St., Safford. The center is open from 9-11:30 a.m. and from 1:30-3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

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Comments

3 comment(s)

Maria wrote on Sep 30, 2008 4:14 PM:

" I have Material, yarn. If there is a place here in Phoenix that I could drop if let me know.
My email is enardaw@cox.net
Maria "

Maria wrote on Feb 16, 2008 7:21 PM:

" I have yarn, material for making quilts or baby blankets. would love to send them to you. i live in Phoenix Az
"

nancy smith wrote on Feb 13, 2008 11:59 AM:

" I live in Charlotte, NC, and would love to mail some yarn for this project. Can I have a full address for mailing?
Thanks. "

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