R= Respite Center, and Rae. Blogging Alphabetically

Traditionally, the word Respite refers to temporary care and is often associated with giving relief to a family member who's caring for a loved one at home.  But, consider Women who live in fear.  Women who are abused, who are homeless and fearful...they too need respite, even if temporarily...they need and deserve a place to feel safe, a place to get a hot meal, a place to rest, a place to get a shower. (clicking on the above photo will take you to their Facebook Page)

Three located at 842 Sullivant Avenue here in Columbus is such a place.  Currently they offer hot meals, clean clothes, a shower and more.  They are set up to be able to serve 40 women.  The list of items they need is quite similar to the list of items we've been supplying to Homeless Families Foundation and other shelters.  Personal Care items......including the ever popular cotton washcloths, hats and scarves as the weather begins to turn, and socks.  I think slippers here would be a nice touch as well.

Our good friend, Rae brought this Respite Center to my attention.  Yesterday she collected items from us appropriate for both this center, and the homeless  she prepares hot meals for on Sat mornings.  She'll divide the items based on what's appropriate size and color wise when it comes to socks, slippers, hats, mittens, and scarves and divide the personal care items and the cotton washcloths.

As you think about this group of women in need, as well as those that come and go through the shelters, or get a hot meal on Sat from Rae, please think about supplying feminine products in your donations.

Thank you Rae for reaching out, and thank you...all who read this blog, share it's link, knit and crochet and donate for making it possible for us to be of help to yet another group of people in need.

Please continue to know that you do make a difference in someone's life, an important one.

Blogging in Alphabetical Order, this is my R post for Rae and Respite

**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.

The Cost of Feeding The Homeless

For any of you who've visited this blog in the past you've heard me speak about Rae, a friend who prepares and delivers meals to the Homeless living out in the elements on Sat mornings.  You'll note also a link/tab here on the blog about the people we help with information about her missions.  She began with a small group of helpers to serve the hungry, cold and often wet Homeless on the West side of Columbus.  Over time she started a group on the North side of town as well.  We here on Bridge and Beyond have supplied Rae with donations of hats, mittens, scarves, personal care items, socks, hand warmers(those chemical things), and rain poncho's that she also distributes to those in need as she gives them a good meal.

 Care is taken to provide healthy food, that's seasonally appropriate.

 The production line, if you will of helpers preparing boxed meals.

These meals are costly, and to date Rae and her helpers have funded this caring program by themselves.  Rae has just started a Go Fund Me Page to help offset the cost, and to increase the number of folks they feed.  Please, if you're able join the cause and help Rae and her army of angels feed hungry people in need.


**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:   +11(Look we've past last years mark)
Scarves:  +171 (We've past last years mark)
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 42
Slippers:   16
Rain Poncho's:   +106 (We past last years mark)
Cotton Washcloths:  244
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:  0  YIPPEE, we've hit last years mark!
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc +2
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.

Delivering Donations to the Homeless

A cute veggie tray I spotted on Facebook last year and saved a picture of on my computer.  In case you're looking for ideas for an up coming Christmas gathering.  We're all busy this time of the year, shopping, wrapping, cooking and baking for the special holidays.  It is truly a special time of the year, but not everyone get's to celebrate with loved ones.  Some are lonely, some are cold, some are hungry.  Please think of those less fortunate as you go about your busy day to day preparations for the up coming holidays.

A bit behind here posting, but wanted to share.  In the past 10 days we, Bridge and Beyond have made 3 deliveries of our handmade goodies to help those in need.  I delivered 4 or 5 bags of goodies to Rae.  Rae, as some of you know is our friend who prepares and delivers hot meals to our Homeless Friends on Saturday mornings.  The hats, scarves, socks,mittens, slippers and personal care items should be a big help to those living out in the elements.

A few days later, a delivery (2 bags) was made to Brandi, a new friend.  Brandi is very involved with missions through her Church, Groveport United Methodist Church that cares for seniors in need at several Nursing Homes.  You may remember we recently had a donation of very pretty pastel lacy scarves that I thought would be better suited for such a situation.  Brandi will delivery those for us.  Often people in nursing homes are forgotten, families don't visit or live too far away to visit frequently.  Being inactive which happens in nursing homes makes it hard to stay warm.  Shawls and scarves will be just the ticket.  While these folks may not be homeless in the traditional sense of the word, they are in fact...not in their homes, so I do hope you all are fine with my extending our help in this direction when appropriate.    I also passed on some darling hats for babies and young toddlers not well suited for our homeless mission and she will see that those get into hands of someone appropriate.  Brandi and I look forward to continuing to work together.

Several days ago I made yet another delivery.  My car was loaded to the gills and then some!  Hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, cotton washcloths and personal care items were delivered to Homeless Families Foundation.  My entire trunk was full.  It was quite cold the day I made the delivery and as I made multiple trips carrying in the items I saw many cold folks walking about in the area in need of warm items.  Even during non business hours, Homeless Families reaches out to those in need by leaving warm items in an entry way between 2 doors where they have easy access.

Thank you all for making these 3 recent deliveres, as well as all the others through the course of the year possible.

PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND KNOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE TRULY NEEDED AND 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:   +11(Look we've past last years mark)
Scarves:  +171 (We've past last years mark)
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 42
Slippers:   16
Rain Poncho's:   +106 (We past last years mark)
Cotton Washcloths:  244
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:  0  YIPPEE, we've hit last years mark!
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc +1 +1=+2
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.

Rae's Ministry of Feeding those in Need

(purple iris from my back yard, with pretty little yellow buttercups on the right and blue forget me knots in the background)

As many of you know if you've been following along, several months ago Rae branched out to a different area of town to extend the ministry of feeding to those folks in need.  The original group is still going strong on The West Side of Columbus with both supplies and able volunteers.  Rae canvassed and found great need elsewhere and put a plan in motion encompassing multiple locations on Columbus's North, and North East Sides, some involving families.

We asked for support to help her get started, and as always you all responded with HUGE hearts and sent donations of plastic bags, plastic containers, grocery bags and similar items to help her in the meal prep.

At this time we do not need anymore plastic garbage bags, or plastic grocery bags, or plastic containers.  We may sing out later with more need; but with limited storage at her end...let's hold and not mail anymore of those items.  She's also well stocked on plastic poncho's and most personal care items for women.   She's nicely stocked also with soap and cotton knitted and crocheted washcloths (though we can always use those items for the 3 family shelters).

• What she is in need to stock her storage area at Everyday People Ministry Church (corner of 161 and North Meadows Blvd) is:

• Zip lock bags, sandwich size

• Forks and spoons (much less need for knives)

• Socks always for Women now as well as Men

• Sample sized shampoo

• Disposable razors

She picks up bread and sweets from a local Panera (on North High Street just north of Henderson), and soon to be expired food from Whole Foods (the donations from Whole Foods are divided between the West and North Ministry).

Currently she is feeding about 17-19 people on Saturday mornings after she preps meals at The Everyday people Ministry.  Several church members from that location have joined her volunteer force.

One of the things a bit different with this North Side Ministry as compared to her long standing West Side Ministry is feeding families vs primarily adults.  There are Mothers who are homeless but have enough to get a night in a hotel with their children (Thank the Lord they aren't living out in the elements); but not enough for food and lodging and so Rae has been able to include them in her Saturday Morning Meals.

Thank you all for your help with supplies and prayers for her new ministry.  I know she truly appreciates both.

The Beautiful flowers above are for you all for all the hard and necessary work you do.

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.

Expaning the Mission, Volunteers Needed

 Sadly, new areas where pockets of homeless people in need have come to light.  Currently 5 areas in the North end of Columbus are known about.  I say sadly, because there is need.  However, it's a need we can answer.  We can, and will continue our support of homeless in need.  These 5 areas will receive hot meals on Saturday mornings.  Our good friend Rae, is heading up this quest.  There are now enough volunteers to continue to care for the original "Bridge People", and to reach out now to others.

She'll be happy to accept help from anyone local wanting to become involved with the preparing and distribution of the hot meals.  If you're local to Columbus and want to assist with this ministry, please leave a comment below, and or email me at sandycrochet@gmail.com.  I'll pass along your contact information to Rae so plans can be worked out. 

She will need some basic supplies to expand this ministry into the new area.  Plastic grocery bags are needed, large plastic garbage bags are needed, and plastic containers, (butter dishes, yogurt containers, cottage cheese containers and the like) are needed.  Please wash out your empty containers and donate them.  If you're local, you can drop them off and or mail them to me.  If you're not local and would like to donate, email me for my address.  The plastic containers are used for left overs after meal preparation, the large garbage bags are to help the homeless carry their limited clothes, and the plastic grocery bags are used for them to carry their hot meal in.

Naturally if you knit, crochet, or loom; you can make and donate hats, mittens, and scarves to help keep them warm.  If you're able to shop for men's socks, they are always needed.  The words, hats, mittens, and scarves are all links and will take you to the tab on the top of the blog with necessary information you need to read regarding size, colors, and fibers needed; and what to avoid.

Please lend your prayers to this new expanded ministry, as together we start down another  path.  So many people need us...need YOU and ME to do what we can to ease their journey.

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats: 111
Scarves: 78
Socks: 39
Afghans: 2 
Slippers: 13
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 4 
Cotton WashClothes:47
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.

We had a "Twin"

lol
If you saw this post, you might think we did have a twin, or that I duped a post, or posted the same picture twice. Nope. This is the 2nd scarf made from this yarn; though this one is bigger. It measures close to 9 inches wide and about 78 inches in length. It too though came from our friend Rae's mother's yarn stash. How wonderful that we're able to continue the quest to help others. I still have more of this yarn and am thinking about what to make next with it. I thought it would be fun to keep track of how much was made from this one donation. (be sure and scroll down the right sidebar for total miles knitted and crocheted). I've almost hit a whole mile with this special yarn.

Folks, one of our fellow Bridge Team Members is in need of hugs, good thoughts, and prayer. Please hop over top Beth's blog (Crochet Princess) and let her know you care. Her little grandson is having a very very tough time of it. He's only 2 years old. Thank you all for caring.

Please keep up the good work, and keep your fingers flying to help those in need.

Hats 368
Mittens 66
Scarves 140 +1 = 141
Socks 79 pair

This is post #104
(our first year anniversary was on Dec 2)

Help from Rae's Mother

Rae, as you know is our delivery lady. She's the one who hand carries our knitted and crocheted hats, mittens, and scarves to the cold in need there under the bridge; as well as to those in need at the two free clinics. Rae is the lady who prepares hot meals along with several others, making deliveries on Sat. mornings. She volunteers at the two free clinics where our heartfelt donations are also greatly appreciated. This mound of yarn belonged to Rae's mother. Rae lost her mother a short while ago; as many of you may remember (post regarding it here). So, while she is no longer here in the flesh she is reaching out to help others. I will use all the yarn Rae has passed along to me for charity. Something I think her mother would have liked. Not all the colors and types of yarn are appropriate for this cause-The Bridge-but it will all be used for charities in her memory.

In fact, if you look 2 skeins to the right of the yellow yarn, you'll see a partial skein of white which has already been used. It was needed to make 12 inch red, white, and blue granny squares for a Patriotic Cause. You can see the picture and read about it on my other blog...HERE

**I'm still without photo editing software with a non compatible situation. I have a free upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 ordered; though I understand it could take up to 6 weeks. Geessssss, don't really even know if that's going to solve my problem. Thus, my pictures aren't as clear--can't size them down appropiately pixel size. I believe that's why so many of late have been blurry?

**pending pictures of scarves from Patty, do check back

Good and Bad News to report

These flowers are beautiful, bright and cheery. These are not flowers in my backyard, nor a picture I took; but one in the sample pictures from my new computer. These aren't in my backyard because the weather has turned here in Central Ohio, and flowers are about 98% gone. That never makes me happy because it brings to light the fact people without a roof over their heads will soon be enduring cold, wet miserable Ohio Winters. Together though, we can make a difference in their lives.

On top of the weather turning which to me is also bad news, we received sad news that Rae's mother past a week ago. These Flowers will be our tribute to her in happier times. Rae, though not one of our knitters and crocheters is our connection with these folks under The Bridge. Rae takes our hand knit and crocheted items with her weekly as she takes food to these homeless. Rae on behalf of our entire team, let me express our deepest condolence for your loss.

As in many things in life when one door closes another opens, when bad things happen they're sometimes offset with something positive and good happening. Such is the case here. Today I added 2 new names of team members: Danette and Shelly. I've added links to their blogs and encourage you all to visit and welcome them. I received an email from Danette indicating she had items to donate and needed my address, and Shelly blogged about looking for a good charity and thus we were able to connect. I'm thrilled to have more helping hands, as the cause is great. Shelly has added our badge and blogged about our cause. Many thanks ladies.

Current Needs and updates Under The Bridge

Hi all,
I emailed with Rae (our lady who feeds the folks under the bridge), the other day. Wanted to give you some current information about how people are fairing. There currently are more women under the bridge than previously, usually 4-5 per week. People have a need for batteries for flashlights, in order to see after dark. Socks for men and women are always needed, throughout the year due to wet feet when they can't get in out of the eliminates. They have a need of toilet paper, something that never crossed my mind. Mens pants are currently needed too, in addition to your knitting and crocheting hats, mittens, and scarfs; if you're able to send any of those items I'll pass them along to help these folks.

In early October Rae plans to send letters, and make phone calls to churches for any used blankets they might be able to offer. Shortly after that is when the temps really start to dip.

Sadly, many deal with poison ivy and poison oak in the summer months. They often are looking for a place to sleep after dark and end up in the poison without knowing it. Sadder still, many have spent 30 days in jail for pan handling; though the flip side of that is they do have a roof over their heads, food, and a place to sleep during their jail time.

Such is the plight of these homeless folks leaving under the bridge. Not just in this one location we know about; but across this great country of ours. If mailing items for these folks is a problem and you still want to help, please search out those in need in your local area. We can't rid the country of this problem, but helping in many ways is possible. Please continue to do what you can. It is appreciated by many.

**Next up, pictures of another scarf from Sandie (camera batteries are being charged as we speak). Please check back. I'm currently working on a navy scarf.