Non-profit knits caps for veterans who've lost hair

COSTA MESA, Calif. (KABC) -- Every Friday, Christine Fabiani's Costa Mesa home is turned into the shipping and receiving center for Knots of Love.

In 10 years, the non-profit has shipped 380,000 beanies around the country to veterans and cancer patients. The veterans who need the caps the most are those who have lost hair due to a medical reason.

"Our poor veterans are just forgotten about. When I go in and I hand them a beanie and they're already sad and hurting in these hospitals, and I hand them a beanie and I tell them that it's for free and that they don't have to do anything for them, that we just thank them for their service, they are just so appreciative," said Fabiani.

In addition to making and shipping out beanies, Knots of Love also gives away "limb-huggers" for anyone who lost a limb in combat. Fabiani hopes to raise enough money to open up her own office. Each person who donates gets a personal thank you call from the founder.

"It restores their dignity, makes them feel comforted, makes them feel that they're loved by some unknown friend that they'll never, ever meet," said Fabiani.

WWII Veteran Elliott Birnberg doesn't leave home without his UCLA-themed beanie.

"I think they're terrific because women from all over the United States knit hats, and they spend a lot of money on yarn, and they donate the hats to veterans," said Birnberg. "I've been at the VA hospital where they wheel patients out in a parking lot so they can pick out hats."