It is an annual tradition for kids, teens and adults to shave their heads in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in Long Beach.  Every March, the local schools here have many volunteers, shavers, shavees and administrators to run this event.  The kids really love it and feel great about doing their part to raise money to help find a cure for childhood cancers. This year, it was held at a local High School to accommodate the growth of the event, which had approximately 170 shavees.  The goal was to raise $30,000 dollars, and last I checked, we were at $28,000.  Wow, that’s fantastic!

Being part of a fabulous crochet group, Elk Studio – from the Heart, I asked the ladies if they would like to donate handmade crocheted hats to the shavees.  The response was fantastic, I received 20 hats and 1 pair of super power gloves, for a grand total of 50 hats donated.  The ladies are located all over the United States, from New York, California, Arizona, Illinois, Georgia, Iowa and Idaho.  The quality and workmanship that went into these hats & gloves is top notch!  Every time I received another package in the mail, it was like Christmas, only better!  The packages kept arriving almost every day for a week.   And I might add that we didn’t have a lot of time between this event and the one we donated to the month before to make and ship them out.   Even though we are miles apart, I feel very close to all of them, it has been a bonding experience for me.

The response at the event by the recipients was also overwhelming!  All the kids were almost in shock that the hats were free.  Sometimes they asked me two or three times if they could have one!   I’m showing a photo of the hats with a link to the designer’s Facebook pages.  If you do not see your hat here, than it was made by me.  This was truly a heartwarming event to be able to give out these hats.  I appreciate all the designers who donated and I hope you know that you really made a big difference at the event and for the recipient.

Here are some photos of the hats and the links to the designers which are posted below each picture, please give them a big “Thank you” if you see your hat.  Just click the link to their Facebook page and leave them a message or maybe a photo of you in your new hat too!   Three hats made by Maria Bittner of Pattern Paradise

Blue & Gold hat and super power gloves set made by Ash Car of Craftin’ Ashlen 

Two blue & gold hats by Liz Hasler

Four hats made by Elena Ramshaw Hunt of Beatrice Ryan Designs

Two Blue & Gold hats by Jamie Sutton Morris

Three hats made by Brooke Olson of Bd-Lish’sStitches

Two hats made by Jennifer Stewart of Stew-art Creations

Three hats made by Tanya Williams of Madukes Hook Up

Sabrina, the daughter of a friend of mine, also participated this year.  She is so brave! Here is a photo of her before, wearing the hat I made for her.  To see the free pattern for this hat click here. Here is a photo of her after. And here are my helpers, Frank and Cecile, my wonderful in-laws, and my son with his long hair before. My son’s turn now – this is his third year shaving his head for the event.

Wow he looks different, but really good bald!    Some beanies in the crowd, looking good.

T-Shirts available, really cute!    I hope you can feel the love from everyone involved.  I’m so grateful and honored to be part of this day.  Thank you to everyone for your generous donations.

Link to ABC Local News Video

Thanks for reading!

Have a great day,

Carolyn