Idenify your Donations, It's IMPORTANT

Let me take this time to express how appreciative I am of everyone who donates.  Some knit, some crochet, some do both; but all the donations are truly needed and very much appreciated.  I'm thrilled beyond words to see the blog and it's mission continuing since it's early beginnings back in Dec of 2008.  Lots of blog posts, lots of pictures of wonderful donations, and lots of helping hands in that period of time.

With the wonderful growth of the blog and it's mission however, come a few problems.  when we were small I could remember everyone I got an email from and had little trouble identifying donations when they arrived.  Today, however that's not the case.  Though a nice problem to have (the growth that is), it's quite time consuming to receive donations with out notes identifying who they're from.  There are several issues associated with an unknown donation:

1. The obvious is to list a name on the blog with the donation, to be able to thank someone via email when the donation arrives.  
2. Accidents happen.  The donation arrives damaged.  Yes, this has happened.  Accidents occur sometimes when a box is damaged.  Sometimes the item arrives unraveled, torn...I need to be able to let someone know.
3. The donation isn't something suitable for our mission of keeping people warm in Central Ohio.  Lacy, white, non-washable items for example.  Or perhaps for babies vs adults, teens, and children.  I know though the information is listed on the blog, not everyone reads all the details listed on the item specific tabs across the top of the blog.  It's wasteful of time and money for people to send items unknowingly.  I need to be able to communicate that to them.  
4. With so many people using nicknames, avatars etc on Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo Groups, Ravelry, Crochetville and their blogs, I may not know who you are when the return mailing address says Mrs. George Smith.  I'm therefore not able to find you in my database, email contact list, or any of the above groups.  I've spent hours sometimes trying to identify the donation.  That takes away important time for me to knit or crochet, to post here on the blog, to continue to search for ways to promote the cause so that we might help more people in need.
5. It's important for me to be able to communicate problems in order to maintain integrate of the blogs mission. 

All donations must include a note with your name, and your email address.  Even if you wish to be anonymous on the blog, I need to know who you are and where the donation came from.  I am delivering items from all over the United States and Abroad to multiple shelters.  There are some safety issues involved making it necessary to know where the items have come from. 

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!