TIFTON — Even though American Heart Month isn’t until February, local volunteers have already begun preparing for it by making knitted newborn hats for the Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign. 

Aleta Larger, Ferron Yi and Anna Perrin met on Mon. Dec. 11 to learn how to make hats using both knitting looms and traditional knitting needles.

They are planning on making more hats in their spare time as well as meeting several more times to knit together and will send off the hats they make in February.

The campaign by the American Heart Association along with the Children’s Heart Foundation gives out the red hats to babies born in February to “empower moms to live heart healthy lives and to help their children do the same,” according to the campaign’s website.

The campaign also raises awareness about congenital heart defects and provides resources for moms.

Little Hats, Big Hearts was started in February 2014 in Chicago, Ill. and has now expended to more than 40 states.

Knitters and crocheters can participate by making hats, and non-crafty types can help by donating red yarn or donating financially.

The contact person for this area is Shondel Humphrey. Hats may be sent to her at 2159 E. Pass Road – Unit A, Gulfport, MS 39507. Humphrey can be contacted at shondel.humphrey.@heart.org.

Follow Eve Guevara on Twitter @EveGuevaraTTG.