A group of committed knitters and crocheters are making a difference for others in need.

The Random Acts of Kindness group meets regularly at the Pacific Community Center to knit and crochet wool items for a variety of projects.

The Tuesday club has produced lap robes for injured soldiers and helmet liners for troops on patrol overseas.

“Our troops are very appreciative of their efforts,” said Col. Mike Johnson of the Washington Army National Guard, who appeared at Pacific City Hall last year to award plaques to the special knitters. “It’s a wonderful program.”

The group also has knitted stuffed teddy bears to assist local police to help soothe victims of crimes. The club also has made baby hats and blankets for Romanian children. And recently, they are weaving purple baby caps for a new campaign to prevent shaken baby syndrome/infant abuse.

“The yarn is donated,” said Maggie Gustafson, who has been busy with the group knitting caps, blankets and other items for those in need. “The yarn is a blessing.”

The group donated 10 baby caps Friday to a local effort spearheaded by Auburn’s Tara Mitchell, founder of nevershake.com and member of the Washington State Shaken Baby Task Force.

Washington is one of a few states participating in the campaign.

Mitchell is the mother of Kyle, a shaken baby syndrome survivor, abused by Mitchell’s first husband in 1999.

Tara maintains a bright outlook as she leads a campaign to help others. Her son has made significant strides since those terribly difficult days as a baby.

“I am one of the lucky ones,” Tara said. “My son survived his assault … even though he still has developmental and behavioral challenges.”

By knitting caps, the group is helping to educate parents about the “period of purple crying,” a time when babies cry more than any other time and can be very frustrating for parents.

The group encourages others to knit and mail purple newborn baby caps, as many as they would like, to be received no later than Oct. 26 to:

Seattle Children’s Hospital

c/o Protection Program/Click for Babies

4800 Sand Point Way NE M/S W 3638

Seattle, WA 98105-0371

Caps will be collected from now until the end of October and distributed during the month of November to new babies.

To join the effort or to learn more about the purple newborn baby caps effort, please visit www.clickforbabies.org.

The Random Acts of Kindness welcomes new members. The group meets at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at the center, 103 3rd Ave. SE, Pacific.

To learn more, call 253-931-8289.