High School Classmates Donates to Help Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Joy D!!  Joy is a high school classmate and friend from many years ago who crochets beautifully.  She has donated many times to Bridge and beyond.   Thank you for your on going support and your generosity Joy.  You can see, she's been very busy crocheting hats and scarves to warm those in need.  LOVE the nice solid versatile colors that work for women or men!

Many thanks Joy, and please keep up the good work.

**For anyone new to the blog, the counting below maybe confusing.  When 2016 began, we started with the number of items donated the previous year and are counting down in hopes of hitting and surpasses the number of items donated last year.**


2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:     21
Scarves:   +68 +12=+80 (love that we're ahead of last year, as the last couple of years have been slightly down)
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  63
Slippers:   36
Rain Poncho's:   +106
Cotton Washcloths:  260
Afghans:  1 (wow folks, we're almost even with last year, so let's see how far beyond it we can go)
Socks:   82
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:    1
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0 +1
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

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.

High School Friends Crochets and Donates

Thank you Joy D from Delaware for this awesome donation.  Joy is a long time friend of mine.  We went to high school together.......so you know....way way back in time, lol.  Joy's crocheted hats, scarves, and cotton washcloths.

What a nice assortment of hat sizes and colors to fit a variety of head sizes.  Likewise her cotton washcloths are different sizes...some might be used as dish cloths, others for bathing.  And look at the pretty blue green scarves.......I've  always loved blue and green together.

Many thanks Joy, and please keep up the good work.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 448+7=455
Scarves &  Infinity Scarves: 187+4=191
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 113
Slippers: 105
Rain Poncho's:  105
Cotton Washcloths: 444+10=454
Afghans: 23
Socks: 201
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 18
Shawls 2
** pending scarf panels 10
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

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.

What is Joy

A-Z Challenge J=JOY

I looked at lots of different definitions of what JOY means, and I read a survey where people responded to what JOY is to them, none of that seemed to fit into what we do here on Bridge and Beyond for the Homeless, nor fit into what is it to be homeless.

I feel JOY when I knit or crochet and I know the end product is going to help someone.  I feel JOY when I open beautiful donations from the many caring hearts and helping hands that donate to Bridge and Beyond.  I feel JOY when I hand delivery these donations to the various shelters or to Rae who passes out necessary items when she delivers hot meals on Saturday mornings.

I feel confident saying all the good folks who've helped by donating  to Bridge and Beyond  also feels that same JOY as they spend their time knitting, crocheting, looming, or quilting to help care for someone else.

I believe along with our warm items: hats, scarves, mittens, slippers etc we also give some JOY to those who receive the donations.  That's why our mission here on Bridge and Beyond is handmade, I believe the JOY we feel as we're crafting our items transcends to those who wear our knitted, crocheted, or loomed items.

So,

and go knit something to help spread JOY  to someone in need.  Can you join us?

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.

Crocheted Donation from a High School Friend

Thank you Joy for this lovely donation of crocheted goodies.  Joy's a high school friend of mine and while we don't get to see each other often, it always feels special when I open a donation from her.  I feel like we're visiting.   Look at all the time she spends with hook and yarn thinking about us here in Ohio.  That's pretty special to me.

Love the colors you used in your hats and scarves Joy.  Wonderful soft hats of various sizes to warm many heads.  Please keep up the good work my friend.

2015 Donations:
Hats: 47+8=55
Scarves:9+3=12
Mittens: 18
Slippers: 20
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:13
Afghans:1
Socks: 7
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 11
Shawls: 1 (just realized it wasn't listed, don't think I missed any?)
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

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.

Joyful Donation from Joy aids the Homeless

 Awesome warm scarves crocheted and donated by my high school friend, Joy D.  Joy's crocheting is always so beautifully done.  Many thanks Joy for your on going support of our cause.  We appreciate your efforts and are thrilled to have you be a part of our group here on Bridge and Beyond.

Hats of lots of different colors and sizes also being donated by Joy.  Please keep up the good work Joy.

This is the first post since Christmas, I hope you all were surrounded by loved ones for this special holiday.  If you're traveling to get back home, or beginning to travel for the up coming New Years, be safe my friends.

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 850+10=860
Scarves: 411+7=418
Socks: 187
Afghans: 29
Slippers: 108
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:120
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 329
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.

Bringing Joy to Ohio's Homeless

A very special thank you to Joy D, for this awesome donation.  Hats and scarves, crocheted in many colors sized to fit a variety of people in need.  Joy's work is always so nicely done, solid stitches that hold up well in the elements and provide lots of warmth.  Joy and I are former high school classmates.  We recently had our 45th (wow that's a lot of years) class reunion.  She not only has crocheted, and donated and supported our mission here on Bridge and Beyond many times, but she hand carried this donation on the plane!  That's what I call very special.  

Great work Joy, please keep it up.  Wonderful to see you again at the reunion, hope it's not another 5 years before we're able to visit...knowing our next reunion will be the BIG 50!

Please remember folks, open lacy stitches aren't warm, and tend not to hold up well in the cold wet weather here in Ohio.  Stitches should be close together, please avoid using stitches your fingers can easily poke through and or you can see through.  Broom stick lace, mile a minute type patterns etc don't meet the needs of those we serve.

*Folks please remember not to knot and cut with knitted or crocheted items.  Knots are always the weakest link in any garment or project.  Always leave tails when changing colors or adding yarn and work in your tails to avoid un-raveling.**

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 538+9=547
Scarves: 300+9=309
Socks: 101
Afghans: 15
Slippers: 69
Rain Ponchos: 55
Mittens & Gloves: 63
Cotton Washcloths: 217
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, and Shrugs etc. 13
Neck warmers, cowls, gators, wrists warmers/fingerless gloves and other misc items aren't tabulated; as well as personal care item

Reminder to everyone to please avoid using pastels, white, and beige.  Dark colors are best for men, women, and children.  Dark colors work for everyone and help with not showing the dirt as easily

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.

Crocheted Warm Helps those in Need

Thank you Joy D for this awesome donation for Ohio's homeless.  So many crocheted goodies, hats and scarves, beautifully made.  Joy's also included personal care items.  I love the nice tight stitches you use Joy, makes things so warm.  Nice variety also of colors, some suitable for the men and some for the ladies.  Many people will be warmer because of you.

Joy's an old high school classmate of mine and I think it's really awesome we re-connected through caring for others with yarn.  Thank you Joy, please keep up the good work.

2013 Donations:

Hats: 724+8=732
Scarves: 424+10=434
Socks: 320
Afghans: 50
Slippers: 194
Rain Ponchos: 208
Mittens: 121
Cotton Wash Clothes: 675
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 16
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarners and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... 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.

A Joyful Donation for Those in Need

 My high school friend, Joy D has done it again with this marvelous donation of crocheted squares, hats, scarves, soap and shampoo.  Many many thanks Joy for your on going support from your state of Delaware to those in need here in Ohio.  I love love the the rust/autumn colored hat and scarf. I know I'll enjoy working with your squares, I always do!

As always, keep up the good work, my friend!

**Reminder folks, please avoid white, lacy open stitches, and non washable or novelty fibers for all items.  PLEASE PLEASE include a note with ALL donations with your name and your email address...It's MANDATORY that I be able to contact you, even if you wish to be anonymous.**

Still need email addy, and contact from June C from Wisc.,
 Andrea W, Carol B, Julie Y, Karin O, Rhonda M, and Ryan D from CA  
 , Joyce H from Kansas
Kim K from Texas

Donations: 2012
Hats 793+22=815
Scarves: 527+5=533
Slippers: 144
Shawls: 2
Sweaters& Ponchos: 4
Vest 1
Afghans: 40
Mittens: 297
Squares: 795+33=828
Socks: 193
Rain Poncho's 209
Cotton Washcloths 464
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!

A Donation and Party Time!

A donation and a party! That's right folks. These beautiful crocheted donations comes from my old high school friend, Joy. You've seen me post how we re-connected thanks to Facebook. She recently was in town and so I collected up about 30 folks from our class and we had a mini reunion, a party! What fun everyone had. Here we are having margaritas and telling stories when Joy walks in with this big bag of goodies to donate to Bridge and Beyond.

We had a wonderful time catching up, it's been lots of years since we've seen each other. Sadly, I was too sick to go to the last reunion which was our 40th....3 years ago. True...we'll soon be kicking in high gear to find some more folks to plan for the next reunion.

Thank you Joy for your thoughtful donation of 16 hats, and 5 scarves (3 matching sets) to help the homeless in Ohio. Joy hails from The State of Delaware. Interestedly, Delaware has been given many nicknames. Thomas Jefferson gave it the nickname of The Diamond State, due to it's location on the eastern shore a "jewel" among states. It's also been known as The Small Wonder...no explanation needed there, lol. However, in 2002 it was "officially" given the nickname of The First State..........why? Because it was the first state to ratify The US Constitution.
2012 Donations:
Hats: 313+15=328
Scarves: 205+5=210
Slippers: 65
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 22
Mittens: 141
Squares: 332
Socks: 116
Rain Poncho's 161
Cotton Washcloths 242
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes etc)

**Remember to include notes folks with your donations with your name, and email ady so I can make contact**

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!

Feeling full of of Joy

My friend, Joy's donation has me feeling full of Joy! Corney, but true folks. The day after I designed the ghans you saw in yesterdays post (please scroll back if you didn't see them), a 2nd box arrived from my friend and classmate, Joy. Holly Cow how awesome is that! 9 crocheted hats and 2 matching scarves.....fabulous.

Once again, many thanks Joy for your on going support. We here on Bridge and Beyond appreciate you and your helping hands. Please keep up the good work.

***Hold mailing squares til next square collection date, please check working calendar for announcement; unless you're mailing other items and want to include them to save postage costs ***
2012 Donations:
Hats: 64+9=73
Scarves: 8+2=10
Slippers: 3
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 3
Mittens: 18
Squares: 78
Socks: 15
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, etc)

**PLEASE check out the new tabs across the top of the blog for information regarding size, colors for your donations, along with some patterns you may use.**

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!

Crocheted Granny Square Excitement!

Look, look, and look again! Fantastic, colorful, well made granny squares from the skillful hands of my good friend, Joy. You might remember my excitement when Joy and I re-connected awhile back on Facebook. We graduated from High School together, way back in 1969. She's been a good supporter of our cause ever since. Talk about a double bonus! A rekindled friendship, and willing helping hands!

Look at all the fun colors and designs in Joy's 53 squares! You know I'm going to have fun designing afghans from these for our Project Welcome Home for our folks at The Homeless Families Foundation.

Keep up the good work Joy, and again many thanks!


2012 Donations:
Hats: 64
Scarves: 8
Slippers: 3
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 3
Mittens: 18
Squares: 25+53=78
Socks: 15
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, etc)

**Asking you all, even those of you who aren't bloggers to leave comments on the blog. Let us know you were here, reading, looking around. Let's encourage each other with comments on the beautiful donations received. You do NOT need to be a blogger to leave a comment. Type your comment, click the drop down box that says name and url, leave the url portion blank. That's it....very easy. Hoping some of you who've been shy about leaving comments will help us out and give it a go.**


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!

Joy to The World

Day 7 of Jack Otis Memorial Month

Singing..."Joy to the World, Joy to the fishes and deep blue sea...Joy to you and me". The above wonderful donation comes from my friend and former classmate Joy. Joy was also a classmate of Jack Otis. Through the wonderfulness that is Facebook, Joy and I have reconnected more then just when there's a class reunion. How cool is that! Many thanks Joy for your support, your friendship and your thoughtful donation of 6 scarves, and 13 hats. They are all beautifully made, and nice and warm.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 365+6=371
Hats 746+13=759
Mittens 145
Socks 153
Squares 516
Rain Ponchos 84
Cotton Washcloths 324
Sweaters/Poncho's 8
Slippers 91
Afghans 42 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)
Misc Items I've not counted misc items like all the personal care items, the neck warmers, head bands or yarn etc.

Did you know we've gone "beyond" in our mission yet again? We've extended our help and added 2 family shelters, we've added a couple of schools (through Holy Family), and we've reached "beyond" our community here in Franklin County. We've reached those in need in Vinton County. Read about it HERE.

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!

Joy, spreading the word

9 Great crocheted squares with cheery colors from my friend Joy. Joy is an old high school friend of mine. Some time we back we got re-connected on Facebook. I've had the pleasure of working some of her previous squares into afghans for our folks at Faith Mission and look forward to adding these to the mix.

Joy is helping us in a 2nd way too. She's recruited her sister to help knit for the cause. Sweet! Love seeing the word spread, and love getting new helping hands. Stay tuned for tomorrow's post will feature Joy's sister, Mary from PA.

Just popped in to edit this post (since as you know all are written and in que), so I could add a Thank You to Bev. Qualheim. I've added an award from her to this blog. The Humanitarian Award. I hope you all realize this award goes out to each and everyone of you who've knitted, crocheted, sent socks etc for this cause; and Rae for her hand delivery and caring to The Bridge Folks and those at the 2 Free Clinics, and to my Brother Chuck and SIL, Jan for aiding in my delivery of items to those in need. If you click on the badge in the sidebar, you'll be taken to one of Bev's blogs. Bev is well known in knitting, crocheting, and charity circles. Thank You for the award, and thank you to all who've made it possible. This is not a one man show, but a true team effort.

2011
Scarves 143
Hats 222
Mittens (gloves)56
Socks 56
Slippers 33
Ghans 12
Squares 179+9=188
Sweaters 5

**Is there someone you know who knits or crochets or looms? Have you told them about our mission? Is there someone you can recruit? Please help us spread the word, the need is great. Get busy chatting folks, you just never know when you'll run into someone with the ability to lend a hand. Thank You**

Just noticed this post #374...wow, we're getting close to another milestone folks. Only 26 posts away from 400! Woot Woot

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!

Rose Garden Afghan for Faith Mission in the Works

Forest Green, Lime Green, Kelly Green, Olive Green, Celery Green, Hot Pink, Light Pink, Dusty Rose, Mauve Pink, and maybe a coral shade of pink make up this ghan in the works for our folks at Faith Mission. Squares ranging in size 5-6-7-8 and 12 inches, rectangles, granny squares, sampler style squares, crocheted squares, and knitted squares are all here. Quite a mix in this one folks.

A good number of these squares are from long ago from folks who's names I don't have, never had. You might remember I've referred to a couple of groups that disbanded and passed along squares and their odds and ends to me, before. Over time, they've been added here and there to various charity projects. Here they're mixed with rectangles from RoseMarie, some pink squares from Karen V and Joy.

The pink and green ghan was design here and has been waiting in the wings. I try to name many of the ghans, and believe with all the pink and green this can appropriately be named, Rose Garden. All the greens represent leaves and stems, and the shades of pink the roses.

Though it's hard to see in the picture the squares are being edged with dark forest green, not black as it looks in the picture. I'm joining in dusty rose. Normally I edge and join with the same color, but thought given the amount of each color I had left in my stash after DD finished Vacation ghan, I'd try this method. Thus far, I think it's working. I'm using the join as you go method on this ghan, though it's not continuous given the huge difference is sizing; this is much more piece meal then it was with Colorful Blocks Ghan.

Hoping Rose Garden will be finished in a few days as works continues on this Reddish Brownish Ghan...that needs a name. Anyone with ideas?

**Reminder folks not to tie a knot and cut yarn when knitting or crocheting. Always leave a tail of several inches when joining new join, and work it into your work. This ensures your item won't come apart. I've had to make several repairs where items have been knotted, cut and are coming apart before I can pass along your thoughtful donations. Thank you**

2011
Scarves 134
Hats 197
Mittens (gloves)56
Socks 56
Slippers 26
Ghans 11
Squares 179
Sweaters 5

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!

Joy to the World

JOY to the WORLD. You might have been singing those words from a Christmas Carole not so very long ago, or perhaps The Three Dog Night song came to mind. Both did for me. Joy indeed! Look at this wonderful donation Joy, an old high school friend sent.

Joy and I got re-connected through the beauty of facebook. She's donated beautiful crocheted items previously. Am thrilled to have her on-going support. Two matching hat and scarf sets, and 3 additional hats. All nice and soft and warm.
And, look at these fun granny squares. I've used some of her squares previously and am looking forward to designing another afghan for the folks at Faith Mission using these lovely squares. These 16 squares all are a part of our Give a Square Program, which is being extended until the end of this month of January 2011. If you click on the link for Give a Square you can see thumbnails of the ghans we've donated thus far.


2011
Scarves 8+3=11
Hats 5+5=10
Mittens 0
Socks 0
Slippers 3
Ghans 0
Squares 16

Please remember 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. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

I've got JOY in my Heart!

*****Only 2 posts left before we see who the winner of the contest is, but YOU still have time to enter, CLICK TO READ HOW*****


With some play on words here. Thank You JOY! Joy is a high school classsmate and friend of mine. We recently got re-acquainted thanks to Facebook. Look at these wonderful crocheted sets of hats and scarves. 4 Hats, and 4 Scarves, a pair of mittens, and 4 squares. Wish my picture had turned out better. They are beautifully made. I am truly thrilled and my heart is filled with Joy, thanks to JOY. She also sent me a book, Samekind of Different As Me that I'm hoping to find some time to read about homlessness.
Wanted you to see the cool detail and texture in the above green hat and scarf. My quess from looking is she used triple or double's and did front posts stitches. LOVE it!
These 4 granny squares will be used to put together another ghan or two, so stay tuned for that.

*****Only 2 posts left before we see who the winner of the contest is, but YOU still have time to enter, CLICK TO READ HOW*****

2010
Scarves 174+4=178
Hats 288+4=292
Mittens 38+1=39
Socks 59

2008-2009
Hats 368
Mittens 66
Scarves 147
Socks 79 pair*counts from day 1, Dec 2 2008