Knitters busy making hats for U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan

Area knitters want to make sure every U.S. soldier in Afghanistan keeps warm.

Over the past eight months, men and women have knitted wool hats for soldiers to wear under their helmets to serve as a protective layer during cold nights and to absorb sweat during warm days.

Linda G. Piddock said any other material might melt if soldiers are in a fire or combat. The design being used by Mrs. Piddock and her group of volunteers comes from the Rocky Mountain United Service Organization. Caps must be dark-colored, such as the browns and greens in soldiers' camouflage uniforms, she said.

"It's a way that we as citizens of the United States can become involved, and do something for the military," Mrs. Piddock said.

Members of the knitting group distributed 200 of the wool caps to Fort Drum soldiers who deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year, and they're almost ready to ship a few hundred more in December.

The goal is to knit 1,000 caps, but Mrs. Piddock said she and the volunteers will go beyond that number as long as there are U.S. soldiers deployed to Afghanistan.

Anyone is welcome to knit caps for soldiers at the group's 7 p.m. meeting on the fourth Monday of each month at First Presbyterian Church, 403 Washington St. There will be no December meeting.

Each cap takes about five hours to make, so volunteers are always appreciated, Mrs. Piddock said.

People can supply their own wool, but they should call Carole J. Brown at 788-6299 to inquire about what specific brand should be purchased. Those who cannot afford wool can use the wool bought with donations.

Caps also have been sent from people throughout the north country, as well as Connecticut and Ohio.

"We were the first drip in the pond, and it rippled out," said Bernice B. Taylor, one of the knitters.

For a $5 donation, one of the volunteers will knit a hat in honor of a service member who died.

The group holds small fundraisers, but donations are always needed, according to Mrs. Brown. Six dollars is enough to buy two caps and there will be some leftover material. For more information, call First Presbyterian Church at 782-1750.