Indian Hills woman wants to knit afghans for New York babies

Donna Peak of Indian Hills hopes to find people in the area willing to knit afghans for 17 babies born fatherless in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Peak, like many others, wondered what she could possibly do to help those suffering on the East Coast.

Her answer came after watching a Dec. 20 issue of ABC's news show, "Primetime," on 16 women and their 17 babies born to women who lost their husbands in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

"I went off and did what I do during the day, then I came home and couldn't sleep that night," Peak said. "Then it came to me. I don't know if it was God, but I thought, 'I need to make 17 afghans for those babies.' The terrorists took their dads away from them.'"

But knitting or crocheting afghans is demanding work, something which Peak, 68, can't accomplish alone.

"I need help," Peak said.

She's looking for at least 15 others to help knit or crochet afghans that will be sent to the babies. Peak is in the middle of knitting a pink afghan, and a friend is crocheting another. It's important, Peak said, that the blankets be homemade.

"I think we should put our hearts into them," she said. "When you go out and buy, I'm not sure your whole heart is in it."

Peak, who moved to the Carson area 14 years ago, learned to knit as a child from her mother and sister. She's knitted everything from socks to sweaters, but she doesn't know how long it will take for someone to complete a baby afgan.

"It's just something I pick up when I have time," she said. "I don't know how long it would take most people."

She would like to have the afghan's completed and mailed by the end of March. To help or for more information, call Peak at 267-3853 or 781-3852.

To help knit afghans for babies born fatherless after the Sept. 11 attacks, call Donna Peak at 267-3853 or 781-3852.