Team Work Helps Ohio's Homeless

I LOVE this donation!  It's particularly special to me because it's team work at it's finest.  These scarves are the work of a group of young women, Girl Scouts!!  A local Girl Scout Troup learned to knit and used their loving time to make this donation.  Lots of different designs, colors, and sizes of scarves; as well as a neckwarmer/gator/cowl.  I was contacted by their leader, Melissa P.  I really enjoy seeing young people, who often get a bad wrap about being selfish or uncaring, putting their time to such good use.  What a truly wonderful project.  They all learned to knit and to give to those who's needs are greater than their own.  I really do think this is very special.

Thank you Emma P, Maggie P, Jillian G, Ella S, and Bianca C.  The girls rang in age from 14 to 17.  Nice work ladies, you should feel very proud of yourself, I know I am.

Please keep up the good work ladies, and best of luck with whatever your next Scout Project is.

DONATIONS 2017
HATS:  276

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)  226-9-217

MITTENS: 36

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 28

AFGHANS: 32

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

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.

This donation has a story behind it folks.  What you see are knitted scarves in a variety of sizes and colors.......let me elaborate.  This donation was sent by a very proactive young lady named Laruen S.  She is a Girl Scout currently in the 9th grade.  When she was in the 8th grade she started a knitting club at school, where 10 friends would meet during lunch on Monday's and Wednesday.  She taught her friends how to knit.  Earning a Silver Award Badge in the Girl Scouts involved at least 50 hours of work, but not just volunteerism where one day you might shovel someone walk, and the next day read to someone.  You identify a problem, and a sustainable way to fix the problem and then put in your 50 hours of service.

So, Lauren identified the need for supplies for homeless people, specifically women, taught her friends to knit, knitted and produced scarves.  She's donated scarves to multiple organizations including one for battered women.  She and her friends: Audrey B, Laura N, Krista N, Sarah M, Bree S, Allison Y, Danielle B, Julia C, and Victoria Q, have knitted and donated scarves.  But, they've done far more then that...they've put others before self.  They've learned of varying needs around the country AND they've chosen to help..........they have chosen to make a difference.

Congratulations ladies, we here on Bridge and Beyond applaud your initiative and hope you'll continue your proactive stance on issues not always pleasant to address.

Please keep up the good work.
2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 728
Scarves: 360+9=369
Socks: 187
Afghans: 18
Slippers: 86
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:79
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 309
Misc. (Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, cowls/mobius,  and Shrugs etc.) aren't tabulated.
Personal Care Items: Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, cream, hand warmers, lipbalm, floss, soap, shaving cream, razors etc aren't tabulated.

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.

Girl Scouts do more then Cookies

A while back you may remember our friend Marjorie M from Minnesota's connection to The Girl Scouts.  They've done it again.  The girls crocheted cotton wash cloths and slippers.  Marjorie helped them out by mailing their thoughtful donation and she added personal care items and socks.  For some silly reason, I took 2 pictures of the same thing...the slippers and socks and none of the personal care items and cotton washcloths.  Had a dumb attack apparently when I was photographing.  As you know, posts are written and placed in que and so the items have already been delivered by the time you'll read this post.  I'm working several weeks ahead on posts, so didn't realize in time to take another photograph.  Sorry girls.  I can tell you there were lots of different colors and I was thrilled to see so many of them were manly colors.

Thank you Girl Scouts, and Marjorie. 

*March will focus on afghans and rain poncho's.  In addition to the afghan I assemble (or get help assembling) from your donated squares you can knit and or crochet completed afghans.  You can also make a quilt.  Guideline for colors and size etc can be found in the
  

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats:  131
Scarves: 101
Socks: 70+10=80
Afghans: 4
Slippers: 55+11=66
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 15
Cotton Wash Clothes:90
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators etc aren't tabulated


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.

Girls Scouts do More then Sell Cookies

Quick, what's the first word........the very first word that comes to mind when someone says and you hear, or you see, or you read the words, Girl Scouts?  I know.......dumb question....the answer is of course COOKIES.  We all have our personal favorites and probably order from several Girl Scouts every year.  My own, Darling Daughter was never in the Girl Scouts (nor was I); but she did spend an entire summer in a floor-less tent as a Camp Counselor at a Girl Scout Camp.  She even checked the kiddo's daily for Ticks...because of Lime Disease.  She was a Girl Scout Camp Counselor in Connecticut in the neighbor city where the disease originated.  

But, look above.  I don't see cookies, I see slippers, hats, socks, and personal care items for people in need.  Homeless and those in need in the shelters in Ohio will benefit from a groups of 13-17 year old Girl Scouts from Minneapolis.  These girls were affected by a tornado in 2011.  The girls and their families and friends received helped during a time in need.  The know first hand what it means to help someone in need.  To pay back the girls wanted a special Christmas project.  The girls in the troop didn't all know how to crochet, but they learned in order to help others less fortunate.  WOW....isn't that what we all would like our teenagers to learn?  To help others, to help others less fortunate.

The Girl Scout Troop did just that.  That learned to crochet and they made 33 hats of various colors.  Some hats are stripped, some are solid, and some are crocheted with variegated yarn.  Please click to enlarge to see what these young ladies accomplished.

Additionally, they crocheted 7 pairs of slippers, and 1 headband.

Our good friend, Marjorie organized the donation, and added personal care items and socks and took care of the postage for The Troop.  Well done Marjorie.  Thank you for making the connection, and spreading the word, and thank you for making it possible for a group of young people to give back.  That's what I call a win win situation.



  2013 Donation Totals 
Hats:  22+33=55
Scarves: 38 (31 flannel and 7 quilted)
Socks: 6+20=26
Afghans: 2 
Slippers: 7
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, and...

**The focus for the remainder of January is slippers.  AND, we'll continue focusing on feet.  Cold, and wet feet are miserable.  So...for the month of February we'll continue with slippers as our focus AND add socks for the feet.  Socks are store bought and should be for men who live outdoors 99% of the time.   February  continues to be about feet.**


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.