Tote Bags and More for the Homeless

Thank you Nikki S for this awesome donation.  Nikki has included 6 scarves, lots of good personal care items, and tote bags in her donation.  The tote bags are a great idea!  Folks living day to day, in a shelter or out in the elements need means of keeping their stuff together.  

Special thanks too for the delivery, right to my door; much appreciated.  

As always, please click the picture to enlarge to see details.  I'm particularly fond of the scarf at the bottom of picture, love that color combination.  AND the scarf above the tan tote, where you see the V's in 2 colors........what stitch is that, not familiar with it.

Many thanks Nikki for your on going support of Bridge and Beyond, it's always appreciated.  Please keep up the good work.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.

Personal Care and More Help Homeless

Thank you Nikki S for this thoughtful donation.  Nikki has included lots of variety in her latest donation, socks, personal care items, crocheted scarf, matching red scarf and gloves, and long johns.  Though the calendar says it's spring....it's still dark and gloomy, still damp, still cold here in Central Ohio............particularly in the evenings for those living in the elements, so this donation of goodies was very much appreciated.

Special thanks too Nikki for hand delivering to my door!  I got this donation delivered pronto to Rae, our friend who prepares hot meals on Sat mornings for those living out in the elements.  She was thrilled, as she knows the need of those folks.

Thank you Nikki, and please keep up the good work.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.

Hats, scarves, Personal Care and Great Team Work

 WOW!  16 awesome knitted cotton washcloths. These knitted cloths are made with the very popular corner to corner, Grandma's favorite type pattern.  You just can't go wrong with this tried and true long standing favorite pattern.  LOVE the colors.  Cotton Cloths are used is several ways.  They're awesome for folks living in the elements because they're so much nicer on your skin than a regular washcloth.  They're used in welcome home packs when family's transition from shelter living to a home situation and can be used as wash cloths or dish cloths.  These are always so well received.

 Scarves and toothbrushes! The toothbrushes are used again in family welcome packs, as well as by those living in the elements.  Scarves....used all year long by those in the elements and even in shelters which sometimes aren't all that warm.  LOVE the blue green......just happens to be one of my favorite color combinations.  

Hats and personal care items (soap).  The hats are a variety of sizes which is always helpful, as heads are a variety of sizes!  And soap, used like the cotton cloths and toothbrushes.........in all situations.

This wonderful donation is a team effort from our friends Nikki S and Christina D.  Great work ladies.  So cool to team up for a good cause.

Speaking of a good cause, our friend Nikki S just recently completed a 50 mile Pelotonia, raising funds for Cancer, the hideous disease that affects so many people.  This isn't her first time doing the Pelotonia...remarkable and kudos to you Nikki.  Love your spirit of charity.

**These donations were awhile ago, right before I left town for vacation, and were suppose to post...there have been some issues with blogger; which...fingers crossed seem to be improving.  So...this post is delayed, but it did give me the chance to tell you about Nikki and bike ride!

** 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 Group Donation Helps Homeless

 28 Knitted Cotton Wash Cloths, in my personal favorite design, "Grandma's Favorite."  This pattern has been around a very long time and is always a big hit.  The corner to corner is fun, and Christina D, has jazzed things up a bit more by using fun color combinations.  Plus, I've not seen the red/green/ fall looking variegated cotton before.  LOVE it.  I've stacked those cotton wash cloths for this picture, so you might not be able to tell there are 28 in this donation!!  AND the brown/tan/gray........perfect for the men folk.  Thank you Christina for your long term support of Bridge and Beyond, and special thanks for remember the men with this donation.  Woot woot, look at our totals....72 over last years numbers!!

 This donation of yarn and a crocheted scarf is from our friend Nikki, with the toothbrushes being from her mother, Linda!  Nikki hand delivered her donation, her mothers donation, and her friend and our supporter, Christina's donation above.  Special Thanks for the special delivery Nikki.  Great yarn colors that will come in quite handy.  Initially, I'm thrilled to get the black.  Laid  aside a ghan I've been working on, as I needed........Black!  Perfect.  I'll get busy and get that ghan finished, hopefully soon.

This picture turned out a bit light, so the colors aren't quite right.  Plus, I see a couple of spots...note to self clean camera lens.  This lapghan Nikki crochet is a nice blue and burgundy.  Great colors for anyone, male or female!!

Many thanks Nikki for your donation, and your special delivery.  Both are very much appreciated.

DONATIONS 2017

HATS:  252

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)   199-1=198

MITTENS: 36

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: +44 +28=+72

AFGHANS: 32-1=31

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.

The Power of Friendship

Look what a group of friends can accomplish.  This donation is a collective effort from 5 friends: Nikki S, Linda S, Jason D, Christina D, and Laurin A.  How cool is that.  We have a wonderful collection of personal care items, toothpaste, toothbrushes, rain poncho's, combs, and soap AND some beautiful scarves both knitted and crocheted.  Nikki orchestrated this wonderful donation for the benefit of Bridge and Beyond and hand delivered it to my house.  Let's give this group of friends special kudos for using their friendship to do for others.  I LOVE this.  It once again shows the power of one, the power of spreading the word and what together people can accomplish.

Thank you all for your thoughtfulness, and your giving spirit.  What a special group of friends you are.  Please keep up the good work.  YOU ALL ROCK!

2016 Donations:
HATS: 506
SCARVES: 337-4=333
MITTENS: 108
SLIPPERS: 60
RAIN PONCHOS: 211-5=206
COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 236
AFGHANS: 36
SOCKS: 135

**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.

Special Delivery for Homeless

Thank you Nikki S for this thoughtful donation of goodies.  Nikki's crocheted hats, scarves, and a shawl.  She's also included personal care items in her generous donation.  Having a warm hat and scarf really is important in the fight to stay warm when you're homeless.

Special thanks Nikki for hand delivering your donation, as well as your friend Christina's donation.

The weather has indeed turned making donations very much needed.  We still have sunny pretty days, but nights and early mornings have gotten cool and it won't be long before we'll have frost on the ground.  So please to have people like Nikki helping those in need here on Bridge and Beyond.  You all are so very much appreciated.

**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:     43 -5 =38
Scarves: 63 -2 =61
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  66
Slippers:   36
Rain Poncho's:   +106
Cotton Washcloths:  274
Afghans:  4
Socks:   108
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:   7
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.

First Donation of 2016 for Ohio's Homeless

 Thank you Nikki S, Deb D, Linda O, and Jason D for this awesome donation to start off our new year.  Nikki and Deb donated crocheted headbands, scares, cowls, hats, a shrug and a childs afghan.  Look at the nice variety.  Please click the picture so you can see all the goodies these fine folks put together.   Nikki has donated previously, but she reached out to some of her friends and got them involved so Deb, Linda and Jason are all new helping hands!  Welcome and thank you for joining Nikki in her quest to help Bridge and Beyond.

Wonderful personal care items were donated by Nikki, Linda and Jason.  AND Nikki and Deb included yarn.

The combination of everything in this donation will serve many people.  The sanitary napkins is something that's always in short supply at the various shelters.  Soap, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes  round out the personal care items.

I'm going to try something a little different with keeping our stats.  I'm listing our end numbers from 2015 and will subtract our current number as means of keeping our goal in front of us.  I'll show the goal number in Red.  Let's strive not match last years numbers, but.........work towards even more.  Thank you for all you do.



2016 DONATIONS:
Hats: 468-4=464
Scarves:196-8=188
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 123
Slippers: 105
Rain Poncho's:  105
Cotton Washcloths: 454
Afghans: 24-1=23
Socks: 201
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands: 18-6=12
Shawls and shrugs 2-1=1
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.

Crocheted Diagonal Afghan Donated to the Homeless

Thank you Nikki S for this colorful and cheery afghan.  It's size nice for a child or teen to wrap up and stay warm.  Folks this is crocheted and made on the diagonal with many many different colors.  This was Nikki's first afghan.  How sweet to give away the first item you made.

Please keep up the good work.

Folks this has already been delivered, as I write and schedule to posts, often a couple of weeks in advance so by the time you typically read the post the donated items are already in the hands of those in need.  I almost had to make two deliveries with the volume I had in hand this last time round.  I really had the car packed to the gills which is awesome.  I'm so pleased to see donations picking up again, as our numbers have been lower then other years.

Thank you all, and please keep up the good work.

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 841
Scarves: 401
Socks: 187
Afghans: 28+1=29
Slippers: 105
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.

Hand Delivered Donation Helps Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Nikki S for this thoughtful crocheted donation.  Nikki has donated a shall, couple of scarves, cowls, and one of those hoody scarf combinations.  The picture turned out pretty dark, as it was such a dark gloomy day here.......even with the lights on, and even with editing the picture here on the computer......such is central Ohio in winter.  The hood scarf combo is the dark scarf at the bottom of the picture, please click to enlarge to see better.

Special Thanks Nikki for delivering this to me in person!

2013 Donations:

Hats: 732+1=733
Scarves: 434+3=437
Socks: 320
Afghans: 51
Slippers: 194
Rain Ponchos: 208
Mittens: 121
Cotton Wash Clothes: 675
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 16+1=17
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.

Donated Yarn Makes Possibilities

Thank you Nikki S for this thoughtful yarn donation. Yarn donations make possibilities, yarn could become hats, scarves, afghans, and more. Yarn might get used here, and might be added to prizes for one of our contest for our hard working big hearted knitters and crocheters who donate needed items. The brown,tan,white variegated yarn is much appreciated and my mind shifted in creative gear as soon as I opened the box.

**Speaking of contest.........hey folks, we've got one going right now. It started on Feb 14th and runs til the middle of next month, do check it out. Details on the 14th's post.**

2012 Donations:
Hats: 98
Scarves: 28
Slippers: 20
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 7
Mittens: 75
Squares: 79
Socks: 42
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves etc)

***Size and color requirements for all items listed in tabs across the top of the blog, as well as patterns (some of which have been used in the donations received).***

Did you know, we...Bridge and Beyond hit publication again? Please read the post 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!

Meeting Fellow Bloggers who Donate

It's always so fun to meet face to face after first getting to know someone here on line. That's the case with Nikki S, who's blog is theonlynikki.com (check sidebar). We chatted on line, then we meet unknowingly the first time. That is to say we hadn't planned to meet each other. Through my work, Nikki came in and was.......crocheting, conversation insued, naturally. lol

Thanks Nikki for these 4 scarves, much appreciated keep your hook on the move, hope to see you soon, both here on line and in person.

TIP: If you're making slippers, use thick yarn, or double yarn for a nice thick slipper. You could even make 2 slippers and stitch them together one inside the other for a nice thick and warm, as well as sturdy slipper. They could be reversible if you use 2 different colors.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 339+4=343
Hats 657
Mitts 140
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 318
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 34 (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.

For those who like to plan ahead, I've added November to our working calendar it will be a focus on men through The Jack Otis Memorial Month. Hats, Scarves, Mittens, Slippers, for men. Naturally socks. Keep checking in for more details.

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!