Year End Totals for 2018

Ok folks, Here's our totals for the year with the comparisons I posted last year showing totals from years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.  Additionally, I show what the average of those five years was....that's the number we used for our goals for the year 2018.  As you can see, we fell short in every category.  We came closest with our afghans ...which is shown in red and we got over 50% of our goal for scarves and just under 50% for Mittens (those two shown in blue,) but it may look purple on your monitor.

ITEM	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	Prev Average	Goal %
Hats	1053	971	468	516	371	270	675	40%
Scarves	666	590	196	371	256	224	415	53%
Afghans	55	32	24	36	32	34	35.8	94%
Socks	281	199	201	135	29	67	169	39%
Slippers	153	121	105	91	53	13	104	12%
Cotton Clothes	577	334	454	236	314	168	383	43%
Mittens	300	130	123	108	120	75	156	48%

I reviewed, and found I made 8 afghans for the year 2018.  If I had made just 2 more, we would have made it.  I will endeavor to pick up the pace next year and see how we fair.  I still have a fair number of pieces to put together.  Perhaps if I work on a few more of those vs knitting outright, I can make more headway towards that goal  Time will see.  The knitting bothers my arthritis less, while putting the pieces together is crocheting.  Will try to balance that out a bit.

I have already started the next afghan, a knitted ripple...so it's a start.  I will be re-adjusting averages and making new goals in the coming days so please stay tuned.  

In the meantime, please continue doing what you're doing..........knit, crochet, and loom and care for others.  You're all truly amazing people.

I would like to report our numbers were greater, but I truly understand people have medical issues and can't knit or crochet as much as they used to.  I also understand the cost of postage has increased making it more important to send less, and or donate more locally........which if you're still donating locally still means others are benefiting from your kind heart.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

End of Year Donation Totals for 2015

 These beautiful flowers for each and everyone of you who took your precious time to knit, to crochet, to loom and to donate to those in need; as well as those who visit and comment on the blog.  I truly appreciate each and everyone of you.  Thank you also for those who've helped by sharing links, telling friends or neighbors in order to spread the word of the tremendous need and what we here on Bridge and Beyond do to help the homeless and others in need.

 When you think, I'm just one person what can I do, please think of this saying.  I find it very profound, and hope you do as well.  Our resources vary from person to person, as does our time, and our talents; but..............YOU do make a difference, YOU are not to small to make a difference.  Your donation is not to small to make a difference.

A hat, a pair of socks, a warm think scarf donated does indeed help a person like this.

In 2013 we donated a total of 1053 hats.  The following year, 2014...971 (81 less), and this year, 2015 ...468 (503 less than last year, and 585 less than 2013).
Here's the HAT TAB, with lots of information about colors, sizes, fibers that make good hats for the homeless, as well as some patterns you might like to try.  PLEASE label all hats with size.  

In 2013 we donated 666 scarves.  The next year 2014 ....590 (76 less), and this past year, 2015 196 (394 less,  470 less than in 2013).
Here's the SCARF TAB with all the information you need regarding the sizing, colors and more.

In 2013 we donated 281 pairs of socks and in 2014 we donated 199 (82 less).  In 2015 we donated slightly more 201 (2 more than in 2014, but 80 less than in 2013.  Socks are not handmade as our other items are, they are store bought and always needed.  They are needed all year long, unlike the hats and scarves which might not be needed in summer months.

In 2013 we donated 55 wonderful afghans to families as they transition from shelter living to a permanent housing situation.  The following year 2014, we donated 23 less (32), and this past year 2015 we donated 24 (8 less than in 2014 and 31 less than 2013.
Information about afghans is found HERE

2013 we donated 153 pairs of slippers, in 2014 there were 121 (32 less), and in 2015 there were 16 less (105, which is 48 less than 2013.  The slipper tab is HERE

Rain Poncho's is another item probably used all year long, like socks.  Obviously it too is store bought and not handmade.  In 2013 we donated 213, in 2014 there were 61 (152 less) and in 2015 we had 105 which is 44 MORE than the previous year and 108 less than 2013.  Rain poncho's can be purchased almost anywhere.  We donate the light weight ones that are folded in a small package which makes then very portable for the folks in need.

Mittens.......an item that's always in demand, harder to make then our hats and scarves and therefore a challenge to make for many of us.  The Mitten Tab is HERE
In 2013 we were able to donate 300  pairs, in 2014 we had 170 less (donated 130), and in 2015 we donated 123 just 7 less than the previous year, and 177 less than in 2013.

Cotton Washcloths, a very versatile item is used as a washcloth and a dishcloth.  It's used by folks living in the elements, and folks in shelters and is also included in welcome home packs as folks transition from shelter living to a permanent housing situation.  In 2013 we donated 577, in 2014 there 243 less (334 donated), and in 2015 we donated 454 which is 120 MORE than the previous year and 123 less than in 2013.  The tab for cotton cloths is HERE

We seem to be donating less in almost every category in these last few years.  Yes, that's true and disappointing, but let's not loose sight of what we have accomplished and that everyone who helps makes an important difference to someone.  Charities go through cycles.  I've seen this happen here on the net often.  I saw it happen before I started this charity, Bridge and Beyond back in December of 2008.  People find other charities they want to support and so move on, people have physical and or financial difficulties which keeps them from continuing to support a cause.   We have a larger group of non bloggers donating than we did in other years, and perhaps less of a core group than when Bridge and Beyond began.  Likewise, we have more new people donating all the time, so that is growth outward.  

Let's hope 2016 gives us the ability and time to help as many people as we can.  May each of you extend your donations and or help by spreading the word of the need.  Please do what you can and know you are appreciated and you do matter.

Thank you!

Please pop in often, as your visits help the blog's placement in search engines which makes it easier for us to attract new pairs of helping hands.  Donations from Nikki S, Deb D, Linda O, Jason D, Sue S, and Patty C pending to start off our donations for 2016.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

End of the Year 2011 Final Tallies

WOW!
You all did it. A while back, as I was watching our numbers grow I dreamed/wondered and hoped we might hit 500 scarves...and LOOK, 502. And, I wondered if we might hit 1,000 hats, and LOOK, we did 1,008.

Everyone involved deserves a big Thank You, and a HUGE pat on the back.

I am truly thrilled at this years accomplishments. We've increased our helping hands, giving us the ability to reach more people in need. We've added 2 family shelters to the list of those we've helped in the past. We've added a couple of grade schools to that list, we reached beyond our county borders to help those in Vinton County as well. All wonderful accomplishments that couldn't have been achieved without the continued love and support and skillful hands of you all.
If you missed the impressive list of those who donated in the year 2011...it's HERE. Please take a look, and if I missed anyone...do sing out. Going back through a whole year of blog posts to compile the list, it's possible I inadvertently missed someone.

We had a nice article written about the cause and the blog in Crochet Magazine this year too. If you didn't get a chance to read that...check the side bar and try finding a copy at your newsstand and or library.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 502
Hats 1,008
Mittens 239
Socks 374
Squares 941
Rain Ponchos 222
Cotton Washcloths 424
Sweaters/Poncho's 11
Slippers 134
Afghans 56 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)
Misc Items I've not counted misc items like all the personal care items, the neck warmers, head bands, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

Look how far we've come folks!
2008-2009 Donations
Hats 368
Mittens 66
Scarves 147
Socks 79 pair*counts from day 1, Dec 2 2008

2010 Donations
Scarves 340
Hats 592
Mittens 151
Socks 101
Slippers 34
Ghans 10
Squares 238

To date, we've knitted/crocheted and donated a total of 1,968 hats to warm men, women and children, in need. We've knitted and crocheted a total of 989 scarves and 456 mittens; again for men, women, and children.

Some of you have been with us from the start, some who were with us in the start no longer are, and some of you are recent helpers. I value you all and truly THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart. Please know you've made a very important difference to a great many people. Please keep up the good work. I hope we can continue at this level and grow even more. Please help us grow more by telling people what you do. Everyone knows someone who knits or crochets, who wants to help others, who blogs, who tweets, who facebooks, etc.

Goals for year 2012 (I'm dreaming big)
Grow our numbers of helping hands
Grow our numbers of items donated
Grow by reaching other groups who need our help
Grow from 184 followers to 250? (ask your friends if they blog, ask them to follow us)
Improve our google page rank from it's current 3 to 4 or more. (we grew from 2 to 3 in July)
Improve our Alexa rank (remember that number needs to go down to be better). In July when it was added to the page our rank was 6,123,422 and this morning when I started writing this scheduled post (Jan 5th), it was 3,885,629.

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!