April Showers Bring Pain and Suffering

We've all patiently and impatiently awaited the coming of Spring, being tired of the cold winter, tired of the snow and tired of the ice.   We've no doubt heard the saying, "April Showers Bring May Flowers", many times and thought it was a cute saying.  However, April Showers bring pain and suffering doesn't sound so pleasant.  Cold, tired, hungry homeless people living outdoors do indeed have pain and suffer with April Showers.  Temperatures are still cold and uncomfortable, add being wet to that.  When it rains, we come indoors.  When it rains we run to our cars if we're out and about running errands.  When it rains, we grab an umbrella, boots, and or rain-gear.  When you're homeless you don't have a car to run to, a house, and generally no boots or rain-gear or umbrellas.  When you're homeless, you suffer, you get wet.  When you're wet you're colder. 

According to historic averages, this area's average low temperature is 40 degrees.  Do you know how cold 40 is when you're wet?  It's bone chilling bitter cold.  Currently we're averaging 10 degrees below normal, 10 degrees below historic norms.  Given that fact, our average lows for the month of April (if current conditions continue) would be 30.  That's 2 degrees below freezing.  Yikes.

We can't do much about the weather folks.  In fact, we can't do anything about the weather; but we can try to keep these people dry.  April's focus folks is PONCHO's.  Please consider sending along a poncho or two with your warm hats, mittens, scarves, and slippers.  I purchased 4 the other day, pictured above.  These are the light weight, easy to fold and stuff in your pocket/purse style.  Their inexpensive, and light weight to mail.  We can add these to all our donations to The Bridge Folks.

Today is April 1st, and this is not an April Fools Jokes, but an honest request.  Today, I'm kicking off our April Showers Campaign.  This is another project that non knitters, non crocheters, and non loomers can get involved in.  Please help us spread the word.  Add a badge to your blog.  Tell you co-workers, friends and family.  Tweet and Facebook it.  Let's see how many ponchos we can collect during this rainy month of April.


2011
Scarves 167
Hats 236
Mittens (gloves)59
Socks 62
Slippers 34
Ghans 13
Squares 188
Sweaters 5
Ponchos 4

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!