A picture I took quite a few years ago on a vacation with hubby in southern California. Thought I'd share this sunset with you all, as we've been discussing the end (the sunset if you will) of Bridge and Beyond as of Dec 31st of this year. If you've not been here recently, you may not have read the notice on November 1st. I've been posting about it, as I continue to post our current donations.
I've been sharing stats and history of Bridge and Beyond since it's beginnings (sunrise...but no, I don't have pictures of sunrise, as I'm not an early riser), in Dec of 2008.
As the word is getting out about the closure of Bridge and Beyond, several of you have contacted me to express your wish to continue to donate to someone/somewhere. I am working on some alternatives and will be posting more about that as time goes on.
Anyone local can take their donations directly to Homeless Families Foundation at 33 North Grubb Street (just off West Broad Street), Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-461-9247. Here's the link to the webpage. There are many ways to help beyond donating knitted or crocheted items. There are volunteer opportunities, and the ability to donate $$. The contact person is Chad Gardner 614-715-8551 or email him at cgardner@homelessfamiliesfoundation.org. Currently donations can be delivered on Monday's from 10 am - 1 pm.
For those not local, please stay tuned; as I will be posting additional information.
I thought I would take this opportunity to share our stats for the knitted and crocheted afghans we donated through the years:
2011 55
2012 55
2013 55
2014 32
2015 24
2016 36
2017 32
2018 34
2019 14
2020 40
2021 19...to date as of Nov 5, 2021
**Total donated 396 afghans!
You may have noticed that we don't have numbers for donated afghans before 2011, this reflects some of our growth through the years. It was at that time we grew enough to extend what we made and donated for a program I called Welcome Home. Our afghans were given to folks who transitioned from shelters to a home situation. They received a package of items to help them get started and our afghans were part of that with a congratulations letter that included information regarding the nature of family heirlooms and how to care/launder the afghans.
I'd love to encourage all your readers to keep some personal care items and warm things in their car to hand out to any homeless they encounter. Especially those folks they may see standing at freeway off ramps with a sign.
ReplyDeleteGood idea Nikki, I'll do a blog post about that. Thanks!
Delete396 Afghans are impressive! It takes so much longer to knit an afghan than it does for a hat or scarf.
ReplyDeleteI thought so too Sue!
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