Resident, RPN knitting hats for preemies
Thursday November 15, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
A resident and a staff member at Kentwood Park are on a mission to knit as many little hats as they can for newborns requiring incubators at Belleville General Hospital.

Kim Mulder, a registered practical nurse at the Picton long-term care home, was approached by her daughter, Sheena, a registered nurse in the maternity ward at Belleville General, who asked if she would be interested knitting the hats.

Babies requiring stays inside incubators need as much warmth as possible. These infants are often premature or born drug-addicted. Knitted hats are crucial to keeping these newborns warm during their stay in the incubators.

Mulder, who has been knitting for 30 years, took on the task. Knowing that resident Mary Benson is a talented knitter and seamstress, Mulder asked her for some help getting the project off the ground.

Since starting the project in October, the pair has knitted about 25 pink, blue and multicoloured hats.

“I know Mary likes to knit, so I got her some yarn and I asked her if she would like to knit the little hats for the babies and she said she would love to,” recalls Mulder. “She knits sweaters and this is something for her to do in between sweaters.”

Benson, who has been knitting her whole life, says she likes being able to help with the cause.

“I thoroughly enjoy it,” she says.

Projects like this exemplify the efforts of OMNI residents and staff members when it comes to contributing to the community, notes Mulder.

The little hats have received positive feedback from the hospital, says Mulder. The miniature chapeaus have also been conversation pieces for residents and staff members at Kentwood, with everyone asking about when the next batch will be complete.

“Everybody follows Mary’s progress and asked her how many she has done so far,” says Mulder.