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Tonya Papanikolas ReportingSome third graders in South Weber are getting a lesson in art and politics at the same time. The class is knitting stocking caps that they'll be sending to the President with a special request.
Though the kids are having fun, that's not their goal. They are working on a service project, making hats for babies in third world countries through an organization called Save the Children.
Pat Prussing, teacher: "They said that most babies in developing countries die within 24 hours because they don't keep warm on their head."
When Mrs. Prussing read about the dilemma, she decided to get her class involved. They've been knitting since Friday and are just starting to finish some of their hats.
Third graders in Mrs. Prussing's class at South Weber Elementary are learning how to knit on rings.
Jaden Lomeli, learning to knit: "There's this little knob on the side, and you hook it on there."
Avery Stoker, learning to knit: "It's easy."
Pat Prussing, teacher: "They don't want to go to recess at all."
Brynn Richardson: "It's going to be 7 inches long and it's blue."
Jaden Lomeli: "It's gonna be really colorful so it can be for a boy or a girl."
When the class is done, they expect to have about 30 colorful hats that can help save a baby's life. They'll be sending them to Washington along with letters to President Bush asking him to increase health funding for developing countries.
Pat Prussing, teacher: "For the babies to have antibiotics and sterile needles for the umbilical cords."
Avery Stoker: "It's gonna be kind of scary, writing to the president."
Scary or not, their teacher says the kids are learning an important message.
Pat Prussing, teacher: "We are talking about what a great nation we are, and since we are so privileged that we need to help other countries and other children."
The kids in this class are looking forward to making a difference.
Save the Children is gathering knitted caps from all over the country.
After they take them to the capitol, they'll deliver them to needy families in areas like Bangladesh.
