Puppets, Food for Thought?

Spotted this cute little Teddy Puppet the other day on a u-tube video.  I saved the picture and tried to write down the directions, the video was really very poorly done, so ...need to go and re-check.  But, let's think out loud.  People knit and crochet cute little stuff animals, though it's not something I've suggested we do in the past...young kids aren't a our primary focus here on Bridge and Beyond.  My first thought was these could be cute, not need to be stuffed, and I think something that could be a fairly quick project???  But, then I thought......puppets, I never purchased a puppet for any of my 3 nephews when they were young, or years later when my daughter was young, or eons later when my nephews had children...........so the question is, as cute as I think this is, would it be used?  Do kids play with puppets?  Would it be helpful for the first couple of nights say in family shelter?

Please hold nothing back folks in your comments...is this a good idea?  Is it a waste of time and yarn?  I also plan to chat with our contact person at Homeless Families Foundation to get her take.  Is this something a social worker might use to chat with a child who doesn't want to chat vs something a child would actually play with?

I try to make our focus here on Bridge and Beyond warm items, things that will help keep people alive,  make them less miserable either out in the elements or in a not so warm shelter...so this isn't that.  I don't want to go to far a field; but thought it worth us all discussing it.

Have you ever purchased a puppet for a child?  If so is it forgotten or played with?

Did you all notice...yesterday Bridge and Beyond hit 1500 blog posts!  What a milestone.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 191
Scarves 73
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 63
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 115
Afghans: 8
Socks: 126
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 17
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

**edited to say we've heard back from 1 of the two people I wanted to touch base with.  We will not be making these for Homeless Families Foundation, please see nice explanation below in the comments.  Checking on the other contact person and will update as I know something.

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.

Milestones, and Where We've Come From

WOW, as of the writing of this post (remember their scheduled ahead and in que), we're only 16 posts away from blog post 400! Wow, what a milestone from the beginning of this blog. That many blog posts represents so much to me and I hope it does to you as well. It represents the number of wonderful big hearted knitters, crocheters, and loomers out there giving of themselves to help others. That makes me feel very warm inside. Surely it does you as well.

As of the writing of this blog posts there were 144 followers of this blog. Are you one? If not, would you pop up there and add yourself (fellow bloggers).

Where we've come from
I've often posted information about how many members, how many donations etc we've had at a given point and time, which shows how we've grown. But, the other day I received an email which I think represents where we've come from in a different manner and wanted to share it's thought with you. The other day I received an apology from someone who'd asked for my address, as she planned to donate, but ended up not donating (thus the apology).  She was encouraged by what she saw here from caring people like yourselves to look in her community for a way of helping. She hails from the state of Oregon. I don't have the state of Oregon listed as a state where donations have come from (though someone might have before we started documenting that). Would have been nice to add that state, however....she has no need to apologize. She's found a need, a homeless situation in fact in her area. One she was unaware of before. She is still helping, just there and not here. Opening someone's eyes to what they can do to help someone....anywhere is in fact a signal, I believe in how far we've come. Margi if you're reading this, the very best of luck to you in your endeavors.  If you get to the point where you have a blog or webpage or something along that line, please sing.  I'd be happy to add a link here to help support your cause.  Regardless of wear homelessness exists, it hurts.  Some climates perhaps are harder then others on folks living in the elements, but many people are in need.  We all must do what we can, when we can.

There are many ways to help, certainly by knitting and crocheting, but don't forget if you're not a crafter, you CAN still help. You can blog about the cause, you can tell friends and neighbors and co-workers. You can print and post flyers (see tab across top of the blog). You can send socks (though Sock it to Me Month is about over, we collect socks ALL YEAR LONG). You can visit, read, and comment frequently here on the blog to help encourage those doing the knitting and crocheting and improve the blogs SEO. You can explore your community and lend a hand, perhaps at a local food bank or soup kitchen. Giving of yourself, your time, your talent is a very rewarding life. The men, women, and children who are homeless-cold and hungry NEED YOU.

2011
Scarves 167
Hats 236
Mittens (gloves)59
Socks 62
Slippers 34
Ghans 13
Squares 188
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!