Donations Needed to Help those in Need

This is incredible!  This is art, this is crochet, this is a playground.  Saved this picture awhile back from Facebook and just re-found it in my files to share with you all.  Can't imagine how long it takes to do this, or how she makes it strong enough that kids can and do play on it.  The artist is Toshiko Horiuchi-MacAdam, a Japanese artist.

Just thought you all would enjoy this.

Here we are in a new month already, where does time go?  Looking back to this time last year, Oct 3rd's post from 2013 here are our donations:

Hats 645 (currently 609, -36
Scarves 402 (currently 331, -71
Socks 251 (currently 141, -110
Afghans 44 (currently 16, -28
Slippers 189 (currently 77, -112
Rain Poncho's 208 (currrently 61, -147
Mittens 98 (currently 68, -30
Cotton Washcloths 651 (currently 247, -404

Our donations have gone down in every area.  This happens with all charities. People find something else to support, money get tights and it becomes harder to buy the yarn and or mail the donation.  I can't help with the mail but, can help with some yarn donations to those in need of yarn to support the cause.  Leave a comment here,or  use the contact form in the right sidebar to let me know you need some yarn.

I am hopeful things will pick up, know even if our numbers our down I do value each of you and your thoughtfulness.  

When you can't knit or crochet, you can still help.  Visit the blog, leave comments, tell your friends, share the links, save samples when you travel and donate personal care items.

Thank you for your support folks, let's do our best and hope our numbers increase a bit so we can care for more folks in need.

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.

Reflecting on our Donations.

Things have been quiet here for some time on Bridge and Beyond. I've not had boxes to open, pictures to post or donations to tell you about.  This has me a bit concerned that folks aren't knitting or crocheting as much.....that they're not donating as much, or as often.  It's been a good long while since I've been able to make a daily blog post to help our SEO ratings etc.


Soooo, I decided to once again compare where we are to where we were.  I'm pleased and quite surprised that despite feeling like donations are down...because posts and comments are way down, our donations are actually in pretty good shape.  Take a look for yourselves.

The numbers reflect where we are based on the previous post and where we were at this time last year.  We're only behind with 2 items...mittens I'm sad to report we are way way off our mark of last year and rain poncho's though technically we are, it's not really noticeable.

This leads me to conclude that people mail less often, putting more in each box.......logical way to save on postage costs.

Thank you all for your continued hard work.

Item	This Year	Last Year	Plus/Minus
Hats	645	632	+13
Scarves	402	347	+55
Socks	251	169	+82
Afghans	44	32	+12
Slippers	189	138	+51
Rain Ponchos	208	209	-1
Mittens	98	274	-176
Cotton Cloths	651	404	+247

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.

That was Then AND This is NOW

 Though the year is not yet over, I thought it was getting close to when we might want to reflect back...to see how we as a group are doing. 

 Last year on Dec 31st  we had donated 969 hats, and here as of the writing of this post we're at 948 which is only 21 hats short.  This post is, as all post are; written ahead and placed in que.  It's to be published on Dec 11th so I'm betting the remaining 20 days of the month will put us over the number we donated to Ohio's Homeless and those in need last year.  

Scarves....drum roll here.  By years end we had donated 471 and we're already over that with 588.  An increase of 117.  How awesome is that!

Slippers we've also passed our year end mark of 128 by 16, as we've donated 144 pairs to date!

Last year we donated 55 afghans and we are currently have donated 42.  Surpassing that mark may not be possible.  I've doubled my efforts with assembling afghans; but 13 between now and the end of the year probably is only possible if we get already completed afghans.

Mittens...thrilled to say we've gone over our end of the year mark of 258, as we're currently at 299 pairs of warmer hands!  This really pleases me, a co-worker the other day told me when her hands are cold, she's cold all over.

Last year we collected 852 squares and this year 849....I would say we're right on the mark.  I still have plenty to work with, so please remember to hold mailing them until I highlight them again.  I'm uses up all my storage, so it will be several months before I put out a call for them again.  Please check in.   

Last year we donated 333 pairs of socks, sadly we're well under that number for this year with 196.  That's a difference of 137 pairs of cold feet.  Maybe we can have a push and increase that some between now and the end of the year?

Rain poncho's we're right on the mark, with donating 216 last year and 213 this year.  Keeping people dry is wonderful.

Last year we knitted, crocheted and donated 345 cotton washcloths, and this year.....521!!!!  How awesome is that.  They are used in all 3 of the family shelters we support, and also are used in moving out kits when the families move from the shelter living into permanent housing.  Well done with an increase of 176.

Keep up the good work folks with your knitting, crocheting, and looming.  Together we are a team, and together we've made a huge difference and can continue to do so.


Donations: 2012
Hats 948
Scarves: 588
Slippers: 144
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

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!

People Pulling Together Truly Can Accomplish GREAT Things!

We've hit the end of another month here on at Bridge and Beyond. I thought it appropriate to show you all what you've accomplished. Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen. Anyone and Everyone who things they can't help, who thinks doing something of value is up to someone else needs to see this. PLEASE encourage others to read this.

Today is April 30th, the last day of our April Showers Project. Tomorrow is May 1, the beginning of our Comment Contest.

This blog started on December 1st, 2008 and over time what we've collected has changed a bit which plays into the numbers. Have a look.

HATS, 368 +592+274=1,234 crocheted, knitted, and loomed hats have been donated by big hearted people like yourselves. These hats have been lots of different colors, lots of different sizes, and lots of different designs. Each of these hats has been given to someone in need. Some to men and women living outside in the cold elements of Central Ohio; truly homeless people who otherwise might not have stayed alive through the long bitter months. Some have been given to mothers and children being treated at 2 free clinics. These folks may have a roof over their heads; but many don't have heat and are barely a step above being homeless. Some have been given to mothers and children living in temporary housing who were abused and or homeless. Some to families obtaining a hot meal from Holy Family as they wait in line out in the cold. Some have been given to school children who come to school despite not being properly clothed against the elements. 1,234 hats made by your loving hands from Dec 1st, 2008 til today, April 30th, 2011.

SCARVES, 147, 340, 171=658. These scarves like the above hats have been knitted and crocheted and distributed to the same groups so desperately in need. Scarves can be wrapped around necks, across faces and mouths, put on top of hats for added protection. Scarves can help supplement a light weight jacket.

MITTENS, 66+151 +66=283 pairs of warmer hands.

SOCKS, 79+101+ 74= 254. Socks serve many purposes. Sometimes people need to change to a clean dry pair because their feet are wet and cold. Sometimes they need to add a 2nd pair to try to get a little additional warmth. Socks are needed 12 months a year, even during the warmer months for those folks who are homeless.

SLIPPERS: 34+37=71. Slippers like socks can help warm cold feet and are so very much appreciated by men spending a night in the shelter when perhaps their socks can be laid out to dry. They're needed by women and children living in temporary housing and provide comfort for all with little heat in the homes.

Afghans (ghans) 10+29=39. Afghans made from squares you've donated, as well as full afghans have been provided to Faith Mission for Mothers and Children who often have very little. Afghans can be used for comfort, and hope as well as needed warmth in temporary housing whether used on beds at night or to ward off drafts when thermostats are so low they're not keeping warm. Afghans have also been donated to Pine Street Inn, another group that serves to protect the homeless and abused so desperately in need.

SQUARES, 238+214=452 knitted and crocheted squares have been donated in order to make afghans for the those folks listed above.

PONCHOS 43. Ponchos don't replace a roof over someone's head, but they do help protect one against the cold wet rain. If people are able to stay dry, they will be more comfortable, more warm; and that's very important in trying to stay well.

You may be ONE person, but you can and do make a difference, the proof surely is listed above.

And since we're celebrating because of a number, the milestone of reaching 400 posts (this is now post #405), I'll through out some other numbers you might find fun to know. We have 45 people who've donated, and or helped who blog, or have a membership on Ravelry or Crochetville, or The Hive. Additionally we have 91 people who've donated who've found us on the net who're are not part of those above groups. Thus far we have identified that donations have come from 29 states which is 58% of the country...see map at the bottom of the blog.

This blog's received several awards which make me happy, hope you all realize you're a part of these. The top 100 crochet and knitting blogs, Humanitarian Award, Honest Scrap and Humane Award. You can click on any of these in the side bars.

Since we've started highlighting a specific item each month we've had The Rainbow Project, Give a Square, Toasty Tootsies, Sock it to Me, and April Showers. Stay tuned as I'll be announcing the May highlighted item next.

If you notice the tabs across the top of the blog you can click to get lots of questions answers with The Things you should know before you donate section, a flyer you can print to distribute, and patterns you can use.

AND starting tomorrow you can start commenting away to win a fun $40.00 shopping spree at JoAnn's thanks to a special secret donator. Click HERE for all the details.

Yes, people pulling together can truly accomplish great things. Thank you!

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!