Good Bye 2017 and Hello 2018

2017 is close coming to an end.  It's been a tough year in many ways, and a good year in others.  I'm sure that's true for many of you reading this blog.  Some of you come and read and post comments, others come and read, but are shy about posting comments.  Some that come also donate, others share our blog and it's mission with friends and co-workers.  It takes many things to be successful as a grass roots charity.

Some of you may know how long Bridge and Beyond has been in existence, others perhaps not.  This blog, Bridge and Beyond and it's mission began in December of 2008.  We started small with donations initially only for men, and due to great growth in a very short period of time added shelters that serve women as well as men.  Not long after that we added children through  several schools in the area, as well as working with Homeless Families Foundation.  We physically deliver to fewer locations now, as we have more consolidation.

Charities go through peaks and valleys.  Prior to my starting Bridge and Beyond, I witnessed this with other charities I supported around the country.  Some came to a screeching halt in short periods of time.  Grass roots longevity takes far more work, I think, than many folks realize.  We are now 9 years old here on Bridge and Beyond.  I consider that a remarkable accomplishment with so many people deserving of our thanks to make it happen.

Below you see our stats for the last 5 years, from 2013 forward.  You can see, a steady down turn in donations since 2013.  I've also taken the time to list the 5 year averages for each item, with the exception of rain poncho's which is a 4 year average; as it wasn't counted separately this past year.  We've maintained pretty well with afghans being donated, this year in part to our friend Marsha M. who donated 22 afghans. Thank you!

I point all this out because I wonder if it's time for some reflection.  Do we still help people?Yes we do, but certainly far fewer.  Would we do better if we focused differently?  I am open to discussion on this.  Are we stretched too thin?  What stands out to me is how much higher the average is on most items vs what we've donated in the last couple of years.  If for example we stopped making and donating cotton washcloths, would we be more successful at collecting and donating hats and scarves?

I thank you all for your support via donations, blog visits, and blog comments; as well as those who share our links in their social media outlets.  I am however, wondering if we've run our course?  I have no immediate plans to delete Bridge and Beyond, I am just trying to think realistically what our future holds.  If you have thoughts you would like to share, please leave comments.  If you're shy about doing that, please use the contact form on the right hand side of the blog to reach me.  If you have my email addy, feel free to make contact that way as well.

Again I think you all, and hope you have a happy and safe New Years.

	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	AVG
HATS	1053	971	468	516	371	675.4
SCARVES	666	590	196	371	256	415.6
SOCKS	281	199	201	135	29	169
AFGHANS	55	32	24	36	32	35.8
SLIPPERS	153	121	105	91	53	104.6
COTTON CLOTHS	577	334	454	236	314	383
MITTENS	300	130	123	108	120	156.2
RAIN PONCHO	213	61	105	211	N/A	147.5

**Rain poncho’s weren’t counted this past year, they were mixed in with misc as there were so few.

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.

Hats

Hats.  Found some fun hat facts through a google search.  Notations of a pictorial depiction of Thebes tomb and a man wearing a straw hat back in 3200 BC.  Also a listing of a Danish Chieftain wearing a fur cap back in 70 BC.   1529 AD is supposed to be when the reference to a Millner (maker of hats) was first noted. The Haberdashers in Milan and northern Italy who imported straw hats were called Millaners.

Here in the states, John B. Stetson made a hat at a campfire outwest and began making and selling, "Boss of the Plains" in 1865.  Ten years later at The Kentucky Derby marked the largest hat fashion event.  An official hat day is marked as Jan 15th, though the exact year is unknown.

When The Royal Wedding on April 30th, 2011 put the spotlight on beautiful Kate Middleton, hats became quite popular.

Wikipedia tells us a hat is a covering for the head to protect it from elements, to be worn for ceremonial and or religious purposes, for safety reason and as a fashion statement.  Hats historically have been a sign of status.  In the military, hats show nationality, rank, and branch of service.

Our hats stats:
2011..... 969 hats were made and donated
2012.....1052 (an increase of 83 warm heads
2013.....1004 (decrease of 48
2014.....971 (decrease from 2013 of 81

Our average for those 4 years is 998 which is 27 more then our donated number in 2014.

It's been awhile since I've made a hat, I spend the bulk of my knitting and crocheting time on afghans.  I must try to make some hats.  Are you working on any hats?  Be sure to check the hat tab across the top of the blog for necessary information regarding size, colors, and fibers.  AND please remember to always tag your hats with size.  Tags should be physically attached to the hat vs a note that says the whole box are mediums.  When there are shelved at the various shelters they are shelved by size.


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.

Knitted Striped Afghan on the Needles to be Donated to Homeless

Folks, I've dug back through the blog here on Bridge and Beyond to review of bit of history for us regarding afghans.  In 2011 we knitted, crocheted and donated 55 afghans, in 2012 we knitted and crocheted the same number 55, in 2013 we came close making and donating 53....just 2 afghans less, and in 2014 we made and donated 32, 23 less then the previous year of 2013.  In those 4 years we averaged 49 donated afghans a year.  This years number of 23 is obviously lower than all those years, lower than average by 17.  With that in mind, I'm sharing a picture of a start to a knitted striped afghan currently on my needles.  I started this ghan last week while out of town on a "girls getaway".  Love the colors.  This yarn was donated by our good friend and long time supporter, Gail B.  You might remember seeing some of this yarn....HERE

I had thought I'd knit a ripple, but in all honesty, we were talking so much I decided I needed something I didn't have to think about, not even counting, and soooooooo nothing fancy, the colors will be the main design feature vs the pattern or stitches.  The stripes will not be even, as I'm basing it on the amount of yarn I have in each color.

Thought it might be fun to know the history and background of the word afghan.  In a quick google search I found some limited information on several sources, including by not limited to Wikipedia.  An afghan is a coverlet, used on chairs, couches, and beds.  The word in English was first used by novelist Thomas Carlyle in his "Sartor Resartus in 1833.  It came from an area in Afghanistan, people known for their textiles.  There are many styles of afghans, some made in one piece, as above, some pieced together like granny style squares.  The history of granny squares seems to be up in the air, though presumed to be named for "granny" the person in each family most likely to piece together a blanket made of scraps of wool back in the day.  The motives style afghan is thought to come from rugs designed in Afghanistan used  in the Colonial period that came from The Middle East.

Crocheting an afghan tends to be far faster then knitting one, while knitted afghans tend to use a bit less yarn, and be less heavy weight wise.  Though I believe both knitted and crocheted afghans are equally warm.........particularly if they are both solid styles or styles where stitches are pretty close together.

What style afghans do you like to make?  How many afghans do you have in your home?  Have you made and donated an afghan?  Did you see the granny style crocheted afghan my Great Grandmother made in the previous post?  If not, please scroll back.

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.

Year End Donation Totals

Some  of you may have seen this very old afghan before.  This afghan was crocheted by my Great Grandmother.  It's in need of repair.

As you can see it's pulled away in a few places.  I've not yet determined the best method of repair.  I wanted to share this with you all, as I tally our year end totals.  Why?  Well, one of the things we do is provide afghans for people making the transistion from shelter living to permanent housing.  A welcome home, a celebration, a wish for a brighter future is what we offer in addition to a warm afghan.  An afghan, can last for generations and can be very meaningful.

Our year end tatallies while below this time last year, are still impressive.  Each and everyone of you who've supported the cause here on Bridge and Beyond should congratulate yourselves and feel pleased you were able to help so many people in need.  I thank you, and hope you'll all continue to care for those in need with your talented hands, hooks, and needles.

Hats: went from 1053 in 2013 to 971 in 2014.  (81 less)
Scarves: went from 666 in 2013 to 590 in 2014 (76 less)
Socks: dropped from 281 to 199 (82 less)
Afghans: dropped from 55 to 32 (23 less)
Slippers: dropped from 153 to 121 (32 less)
Rain ponchos: from 213 to 61 (152 less)
Mittens: from 300 to 130 (170 less)
Cotton Washcloths: fro 577 to 334 (243 less)

If you're able to increase your efforts in the coming months, that would obviously be welcomed.  If you're not, please understand what you do do, does matter.......even if it's one pair of mittens or pair of slippers.  Together, we do make a difference.  The Power of One should not be underestimated.

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.