St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is dedicated to assisting those in need. The group is named for a priest, Vincent dePaul 1581-1660, who dedicated his life to serving the poor.

You might remember me chatting/blogging about our friend Lynn whom I met at a sausage party here in the neighborhood about this time last year. She helps us by delivering our donations to Holy Family, and several at need grade schools. Additionally, she helped us spread our wings beyond the boundaries of this county, Franklin with a connection and friend she has in Vinton County. Vinton Co is a very poor county, in Appalachia. Through St. Vincent de Paul our hand knit and hand crocheted and loomed items have warmed more people in need.

I received a little note of thanks in email from Rosemary Savely, and wanted to pass along to you her appreciation for helping those in need in Vinton Co who's poverty rate is quite high. I'm not able to post the note here, due to names being mentioned.

Just know your work is valued, appreciated and so much needed. Keep up the good work.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 459
Hats 934
Mittens 253
Socks 333
Squares 675
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 115
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

WOW....think we might hit 1,000 hats before the end of the year? And or 500 scarves?? Wouldn't that be cool!


**PLEASE
Notice the new items on the blog such as a working calendar for part of the upcoming year of 2012, the search this blog feature moved up in a more prominent space on the blog, the guidelines for squares, the things to read Before you donate, the area with details about the people we help, and more. Updates are on going...please, please keep reading.

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!

Sock Money AWESOME

Thank you Sherri I, your efforts to help us with socks is fantastic. I'll use this next time I'm out to pick up more socks. Folks Sherri does something I'd like to share...probably have before, but it's worth repeating. She keeps a containing that she throws her nickels/change into. A little here, a little there. It's amazing how it adds up and when it reaches a given amount....she takes it to the bank and writes a check. I love this daily plan. Most of us have change which makes our purses heavy, or pockets for you men.....toss it in a container. Have a pot for all of it, or pick a specific thing......pennies (while they'll still make them), nickels, dimes.........whatever. Pick a dollar amount you're comfortable with as your goal. When it reaches that......roll, bank, and write a check.

Many thanks Sherri for your on going support. Very much appreciated.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 459
Hats 934
Mittens 333
Socks 273
Squares 675
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 115
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

**Please read the how you can help, or the people we help for updates and changes if you've not read it in a while.**

*-*-*-*-*-New Info for our working calendar...........check it out*-*-*-*-*-

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!

Help from Crochetville, Thank You!

Thank you Scharlet for your thoughtful donation from the neighboring state of Pennsylvania. Lovely, the recipients of these hats, scarves, and slippers will be happy. Love how you made the brim so nice and thick on the yellow and gray hat! Makes for extra warm and a better fit with the stretch.

*Did you notice the search feature on this blog ? I've moved it up quite a bit on the blog in case you hadn't noticed it before. Would you like to read all the post that focus on Homeless Families Foundation, or some other topic? Type the words you'd like to search and you'll find all the post pertaining to that. Maybe...you'd like to see all the posts regarding squares, or hats, socks, or a particular person's donations?* It's a very helpful tool. Check it out.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 456+3=459
Hats 931+3=934
Mittens 253
Socks 333
Squares 675
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110+5=115
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

WOW....think we might hit 1,000 hats before the end of the year? And or 500 scarves?? Wouldn't that be cool!

**Please read the how you can help, or the people we help for updates and changes if you've not read it in a while.**

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!

Candy Cane like Donation

These 2 red and white scarves remind me of Candy Canes, how bout you? These 2 crocheted scarves are from Damary's in warm sunny Florida. They're both crocheted. An interest shape to the one on the right. I've not come across one like that before. Thank you for your thoughtful donation, could you send us some sunshine....pretty please! We could sure use it. As of the writing of this post (remember all posts are written ahead and placed in que), it's been raining for days and days. The ground is super soft and squishy. They've issued flood warnings in many areas, we could sure some sun to dry thing up a bit............not to mention, it's cold, we could use some heat too.

*Did you notice the search this blog feature? I've moved it up quite a bit on the blog in case you hadn't noticed it before. Would you like to read all the post that focus on Homeless Families Foundation, or some other topic? Type the words you'd like to search and you'll find all the post pertaining to that. Maybe...you'd like to see all the posts regarding squares, or hats, socks, on a particular person's donations.*

2011 Donations:

Scarves 454+2=456
Hats 931
Mittens 253
Socks 333
Squares 675
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

The month of December is over half over, for those who like to look ahead I've added January, February, and March of 2012 to our working calendar so you can check out the focuses for those months. The square focus will continue through the end of this month, if you've not yet checked out the guidelines for those squares, please do before knitting, crocheting, and mailing.

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!

Holy Family

This note may not be real easy to read, as I had to scan it as a picture in order to load it. However, wanted to share with you this hand written thank you from Frances Carr the director of Holy Family. Sadly, this note got tucked into my file before I posted about it...thus the date of October 24th. Sorry for the delay in sharing it with you.

We've been able to donate since receiving this nice note and will continue to do so. Lynn, the lady I met about this time last year at the sausage party makes our deliveries for us. Thank you for the extra help, it's a time saver for me and much appreciated. If you've not read about The sausage party and how Lynn and I met...please do. Click HERE.

Holy Family was founded way back in 1877 in the historic district of Franklington. The soup kitchen and food bank was started in 1970 and prepares and serves 700 hot meals a day Monday-Friday. In addition approximately 250 families get assistance weekly from The Food Bank.

Our hand knitted, crocheted, and loomed goodies are distributed to those in need as they come in for a much needed hot meal. Thank you all for helping us grow in donated items, helping hands and blog awareness. It's wonderful to be able to help so many in need. And thank you Lynn for your help with the deliveries.

*Did you notice the search this blog feature? I've moved it up quite a bit on the blog in case you hadn't noticed it before. Would you like to read all the post that focus on Holy Family, or some other topic? Type the words you'd like to search and you'll find all the post pertaining to that. Maybe...you'd like to see all the posts regarding your donations in order to make yourself a list...type in your name and a listing of those posts will come up.*

2011 Donations:

Scarves 454
Hats 931
Mittens 253
Socks 333
Squares 675
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

The month of December is half over, for those who like to look ahead I've added January, February, and March of 2012 to our working calendar so you can check out the focuses for those months. The square focus will continue through the end of this month, if you've not yet checked out the guidelines for those squares, please do before knitting, crocheting, and mailing.

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!

Mish Mosh can Be FUN

Thank you Vickie C from Ohio for this thoughtful donation of yarn and squares. Mish Mosh can be fun. One just never knows what it will become, what it will look like when it grows up and is joined with other goodies! lol I'll be checking my stash when it comes time to creating something from these cute bright colored squares. Vickie is our newest pair of helping hands, hope to see you here often.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 454
Hats 931
Mittens 253
Socks 333
Squares 641+34=675
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

As the year approaches an end, I'd like you all to spend some time looking around the blog. New things have been added, additional information. Through time our mission has changed a bit. Please read the updates. The part of our mission though that has remained constant is our quest to help those in need with handmade...hand knit/crocheted/loomed items. Handmade sends such an important message of hope.

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!

Stripes, "That's a fact Jack"

Do you remember the movie, "Stripes?" That popped in my head as soon as opened this box of striped scarves from Angie. That quote, "that's a fact Jack", also jumped in my brain. lol Fun movie for sure. So are these scarves...fun for sure. Angie is a fellow Ohioan. I divided her colorful scarves by size. Some for men, some for women, some for kids/teens.
This is box 2 of Angie's donation. Many thanks Angie, our newest pair of helping hands for your donation. Hope to see you here often.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 440+14=454
Hats 931
Mittens 253
Socks 333
Squares 641
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

**Reminders:
Avoid White, offwhite, ivory etc.
Don't tie and cut, leave tails of several inches when you change yarn AND PLEASE, work in all your tails. Only exception is your final tail on a square.
Use washable fibers
Add a note with your name, your state, your email ady, Facebook, RAV, Hive, Ville profile page and or your blog url so I have a means of contacting you.

As the year approaches an end, I'd like you all to spend some time looking around the blog. New things have been added, additionally information. Through time our mission has changed a bit. Please read the updates. The part of our mission though that has remained constant is our quest to help those in need with handmade...hand knit/crocheted/loomed items. Handmade send such an important message of hope.

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!

Classmates Reunited to do Good

Please welcome our newest pair of helping hands, Marilyn from Ohio. Through the beauty of Facebook, Marilyn W and I got re-acquainted. Marilyn and I were thick as thieves in Junior High and most of High School. Then with different interest we lost touch. She married and moved away. It's wonderful to be reconnected, to share memories and to remember why we enjoyed each other so much. We have a lot in common. The obvious thing we have in common is knitting and helping other people. See the proof above. These scarves are very well made, nice and soft and very warm. The navy blue in the middle is I think called a seaman scarf? Where the neck portion is more narrow to wrap. It was a way to save yarn back in WWII times I belief. Trying to remember the history of it. It's a very traditional and long standing popular scarf pattern.

Not only we been able to reconnect on Facebook, and here on Bridge and Beyond, we've reconnected face to face and have had dinner!

2011 Donations:

Scarves 436+4=440
Hats 931
Mittens 253
Socks 327+6=333
Squares 641
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

Thank you Marilyn for your thoughtful donation, it's greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you here often.

**Reminders:
Avoid White, offwhite, ivory etc.
Don't tie and cut, leave tails of several inches when you change yarn AND PLEASE, work in all your tails. Only exception is your final tail on a square.
Use washable fibers
Add a note with your name, your state, your email ady, Facebook, RAV, Hive, Ville profile page and or your blog url so I have a means of contacting you.

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!

Scarves for Ohio's Homeless from New York

Another pair of helping hands from the state of New York. Thank you Adrienne L, our newest pair of helping hands. We're happy to have you join us and hope to see you soon and often here on Bridge and Beyond. The 2 blue scarves are crocheted...everyone loves the color BLUE.

As I add Adrienne's name to our list of helping hands, I noted there's another Adrienne who donated. I've verified it's not the same person as this is her first donation. This points to one of the reason's I'm trying to get everyone's last initial and the state their from listed with their name. We've grown in our numbers of helping hands....which is WONDERFUL. It does though create a bit of difficulty for me trying to keep track of who's who. Soooooooo, would you all please look at the 3 lists...
1. Those with blogs
2. Those on Facebook, RAV, Ville, Hive
3. Those without blogs
Is the first initial of your last name listed? Is your state listed? Please leave a comment and let me know whom you are and where you're from. It helps when trying to identify donations. When I can't identify donations, I'm not able to let you know via email that your donations arrived. On the fun side....I want to make sure we have the state listed on the map below. Please scroll down and check out the map.
**Maybe you see 2 names and you don't know which is you, search using your name and you'll be taken to the blog post that highlights your work/donation....you can then see which one is you.**

2011 Donations:

Scarves 430+6=436
Hats 931
Mittens 253
Socks 327
Squares 641
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

**Reminder to check details/requirements for squares before you knit, crochet, and mail. We will be collecting squares during the month of December and then will hold for several months. If you want to continue making squares do, but hold mailing them after December
If you have questions about sizing, when to mail because you're mailing something else as well....please contact me**

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!

Royalty Ghan in the Works

I've named this ghan, Royalty. The colors made me think of that. These gold, purple, and blue squares are being edge with dark green and should make a nice family afghan both in size and color when completed. It will be donated to our Homeless Families Foundation of course for Project Welcome Home.

Are you busy working on squares? It's the focus for this month in case you didn't know. All details available across the top (see tab labeled Give a Square), and or in the sidebar by clicking on the badge for Welcome Home. Please read BEFORE you knit, crochet and or mail. If you have squares that don't meet those guidelines but would still like to donate, please send me an email. Thanks!

2011 Donations:

Scarves 430
Hats 931
Mittens 253
Socks 327
Squares 641
Rain Ponchos 8216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

Please share our mission with a friend. Hand knit and or hand crocheted items do more then physical warm someone up, it gives them hope. Knowing someone took the time to make something special for them....gives hope and HOPE is a powerful emotion.

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!

Ohioans helping Ohioans in Need

Thank you Suzy D for this wonderful and thoughtful donation. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. Your striped scarf is so nice and soft and long enough someone will be able to really wrap up in it...at least twice! Very nice indeed.

The hats are a nice mix of sizes and so well made.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 428+2=430
Hats 926+5=931
Mittens 253
Socks 322+5=327
Squares 636+5=641
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

Look at our numbers growing folks, it's very exciting to me and I hope it is to you all as well. The higher the numbers, the people in need we're able to reach.

Please read square requirements with regard to size and color before you knit and crochet and mail. Details in The Give a Square Tab, as well as the Project Welcome Home Badge. Please, folks when you don't take time to tuck your tails, it really slows down my process of making them into afghans at this end; so please and thanks....tuck your tails as you go and that way you can crochet or knit them in.

**Added a nice charity blog award to the side bar, thank you Kathryn**

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 Mother and Daughter Donation

Thank you Jennifer S for your continued support and thank you for recruiting your mother to help us here on Bridge and Beyond. You mentioned she crochets, so am looking forward to seeing her work in the future.

The mother and daughter team here of Jennifer and Judy have donated scarves, hats, and mittens! Many thanks for your thoughtful donation ladies. The scarves are all crocheted and will surely keep some of the men warm.

Hey Jennifer where's your Mom, Judy from? Like to get that added to our list.

Folks, please check out the map. I love seeing it grow as we add new states to it. But, I need your help in this effort. Please look at all 3 lists here on Bridge. Those that blog, those with Facebook and or Rav profile pages, and those without. Find your name...is there a state listed with your name? If not, you're not on the map. Please leave a comment indicating what state you're from so I can add it to the the list and map if it's not already there. Also, please indicate your last initial if it's not listed. As we grow, we're getting multiple people with the same name and I'm having a hard time keeping track of who everyone is. We have Sandy (me) and two Sandie's one in Florida and one in Louisiana. We have several others with the same or similar names too and it would be helpful to know if I've duplicated things like Angie/Angela.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 425+3=428
Hats918+8=926
Mittens 247+8=253
Socks 322
Squares 636
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 110
Afghans 46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

December focuses on squares, remember squares should be made of washable yarn, all tails should be worked in as you go. Please don't leave tails when you change yarn ( that's true of any item you make). It truly slows down things at my end to tuck them in after the fact, and they tuck far better if you crochet or knit them in as you go. The only tail that should be visible is the very last one. Also, please please do not tie a knot and cut -- those squares always come undone and can't be used. Remember too, squares should measure no smaller then 7 inches and no larger then 10 inches. Avoid white. If you're squares don't fall into these guidelines, please contact me before mailing, thanks.


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!

Two Boxes of Donations

Thank you Diana K from the fabulous state of Georgia, The Peach Tree State for these 2 thoughtful boxes bursting with donations for Ohio's homeless. Colorful granny squares (pink, purple, yellow, gold, and blue). 60 squares that will be used to make afghans for Project "Welcome Home". I may make several from these squares by mixing them with others, I may do specific colors....have not yet created a design but the brain is engaged.

Diana also donated 5 scarves, 4 hats, 9 rectangles, slippers, and a darling Children's afghan. These photo's were taken right after I opened both boxes. Since then the afghan's been laundered and by the time you read this post (remember post are always written and placed in que), it's already been donated!

Many thanks Diane for your thoughtful donation, it's certainly appreciated. We hope to see you here often. Keep up the good work.
This is box 2. Took 2 pictures in order to lay things out so you could better see them. The ghan is a good old ripple in brown which is perfect a little guy.

This is day 8 for December's focus on squares through "Give a Square". Please take time and read square size and color requirements.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 420+5=425
Hats 914+4=918
Mittens 247
Socks 322
Squares 567+69=636
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100+10=110
Afghans 45+1=46 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

**Reminder to add your name, email, blog url, profile pages through facebook and or Rav. etc with your donations**

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!

Pink Petuna "Welcomes YOU Home!"

You've probably read about our Welcome Home Project. Where Homeless Families through help are able to leave temporary housing and move into their more permanent housing. We, here at Bridge and Beyond, Welcome them Home with a gift of an afghan. Some are family afghans, some children directed and some are a combination there off. This ghan, Pink Petuna would be appropriate both in color and size for any girl -- from a youth to teenage.

I love the polka dots, I love the colors and I love that my friend and classmate, Connie donated yarn and partial finished squares to make this happen. You see it here, laying out in the works HERE... AND now being blocked after being laundered here in this post.........

Thank you Connie. Thank you for honoring our friend and fellow classmate Jack Otis with your donation during the month of November.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 420
Hats 914
Mittens 247
Socks 2322
Squares 567
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 44+1=45 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

****Have you read all the updates in The People We Help? If not please do so HERE

December focuses on squares, remember squares should be made of washable yarn, all tails should be worked in as you go. Please don't leave tails when you change yarn. It truly slows down things at my end to tuck them in after the fact, and they tuck far better if you crochet or knit them in as you go. The only tail that should be visible is the very last one. Also, please please do not tie a knot and cut -- those squares always come undone and can't be used. Remember too, squares should measure no smaller then 7 inches and no larger then 10 inches. Avoid white. If you're squares don't fall into these guidelines, please contact me before mailing, thanks.

Can you believe this is post #573? WOW, only 27 post to hit the milestone of 600 POSTS!!!!

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!

Continued help for Ohio's Homeless is so very much Needed

Thank you Tammy (psmflowerlady), for this thoughtful donation of personal care items, socks, rain ponchos, hat, and a nice cotton washcloth. All items are appreciated and so very much needed. Thank you for your on going support of the cause here on the bridge, your frequent visits and nice comments. We're happy to have you with us.

Over the last 3 days I've posted reflections about The Men, The Women, and The Children we help. If you not had a chance to read about them, please do. Men, Women and Children are clickable. You might surprised to learn how many we're reaching out to. My hope for the upcoming year is to reach even more. The need is great, so please keep your hooks and needles busy, please keep spreading the word, and Please keep helping the blog with visits and comments. Remember, you do not need to be a blogger to leave comments, simply type your comment and click the drop down box that says name and url. Leave your name and leave the url space blank. So many of you don't leave comments I'd like to encourage you to change that. Please leave comments, it's nice to know you were here. It's nice to know you're reading the blogs (often updates are important), it's nice to see you admiring each other's work and supporting each other with nice comments...AND it helps the blog's placement with search engines which in turns help us reach more potential helping hands............more helping hands gives us the ability to help more people. Sooooooooo, please, if you've never left a comment before start doing so. Visit, and leave several. Thank you.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 420
Hats 913+1=914
Mittens 247
Socks 318+4=322
Squares 567
Rain Ponchos 208+8=216
Cotton Washcloths 338+1=339
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 44 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

**Have you read about Decembers focus? If not please do HERE
****Have you read all the updates in The People We Help? If not please do so 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!

New Helping Hands for Ohio's Homeless

Please welcome Sue F from Ohio, our newest pair of helping hands. Many thanks Sue for your first donation here, and may there many more! Sue's above donation includes both knitted and crocheted goodies to warm our folks in need. The hats (10), and the scarves (8) are a variety of sizes and colors.


*****Please avoid open and lacy stitches, if you can see your hand through the item, and or poke your finger through...it's too lacy and not warm enough. *****

I'm happy to report that I've received emails inquiries from some more folks wanting to help and that the news of our cause is in fact spreading. Thank you to all who've helped in that effort with mouth to mouth referrals, facebook posts, tweets, and or posts on blogs and craft forums such as Rav, Crochetville, and The Hive. Please keep up the good work. It's not possible to have too much help. The more help we obtain the more people we can help, the further we can spread our arms.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 420
Hats 903+10=913
Mittens 247
Socks 318
Squares 567
Rain Ponchos 208
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 44 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

**Have you read about Decembers focus? If not please do HERE
****Have you read all the updates in The People We Help? If not please do so 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!

A Pyramid of Caring, AWESOME

Bridge and Beyond featured in Crochet Magazine, Dec issue page 17


These 11 packages (7 boxes and 4 pouches) arrived recently while I was out of town. My trusty neighbor...whom you've heard about multiple times made this display for me. I had to share! Firstly, I LOVE that I don't have to stop the mail and that he takes such awesome care of your wonderful handcrafted items. He's truly the best neighbor ever!

He knows and enjoys what we do, and likes to see where all the goods come from. This time though, he truly outdid himself. With the help of his very awesome and adorable son J....arranged these boxes for me to enjoy. His son.........who's adorable was concerned that all the packages were for me, and so they left the Fortune Magazine for my Darling Hubby. How cute is that!!

I envisioned J....sitting in the opening between the boxes and need to ask.............hey did you take a picture! Rest assured all, you're in good hands even when mail is delivered and I'm not around.

The more I looked at this picture the more I got to thinking. Not only is my neighbor awesome, not only are you all awesome to wait til I return to say, "hey...you goodies arrived".............but this represents the true power of a Pyramid...........a Giving Pyramid. Big packages, smaller packages all supporting each other.............all for the good of someone else. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. We support those in need one package, one item, one stitch at a time.............TOGETHER............TOGETHER, WE ARE A FORCE, TOGETHER WE CAN AND DO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS.............TOGETHER WE MAKE AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE

2011 Donations:

Scarves 412
Hats 903
Mittens 247
Socks 318
Squares 567
Rain Ponchos 208
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 44 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

Yesterday I posted information about all the women we've been able to help, while the previous day focused on the men. Today, I want to review with you the children we help through your thoughtful donations. The first group's we added children's items to were the 2 free clinics that care for mothers and their children (no babies), then we added children who wait in line for a hot meal through Holy Family, we've donated directly to the following schools (who work with many homeless children in need: Stiles Elementary, Darby Dale Elementary, West Broad Street Elementary, and Highland Elementary School. We've donated children items to both The Homeless Families Foundation and The YWCA where children and their families live in temporary housing as they try to get back on their feet. And we've extended beyond our borders here in Franklin County and donated children items to Vinton County (a very poor county in Ohio) through St. Vincent DePaul.

Please keep up the good work folks, we've helped many and need to help many more. The cold, wet and dangerous months are upon us. People need our help even more during these times.

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 Scarves Donated for Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Karen A for these fabulous scarves. The men will love the brown camo and tan on the left. The women will enjoy the pretty turquoise and light green and probably the variegated blue since it's a bit more open /feminine stitch. I really love how wavy the stitches look in the brown camo and light green; but the camo...it really shows up. Did you do back loop double crochets?

These scarves are such a nice size, that folks will be able to really wrap up, which is awesome when you're trying to stay warm. Many thanks Karen A for your on going support, it's appreciated.

Yesterday I posted a bit of a reflection/reminder about Men. The Men in need and the men we've helped to date. Today's reflection will focus on Women, and tomorrow's children. Please check in often.

While the group began as a group to help Men, the largest group in need and the group most often forgotten we were quickly able to expand to include adult women in our donations. We knitted and crocheted for women living on the street (though fewer in number then the men), the women living in temporary housing at Nancy Place through Faith Mission, and the women being treated at 2 free clinics that care for Women and Children. Through more growth we were able to add the women who wait in line for a hot meal through Holy Family. We continued to grow more and we're able to add The Homeless Families Foundation where families have help getting back on their feet while living in temporary housing. Shortly there after we added a 2nd family shelter with the same mission..The YWCA that also houses families. We extended yet again and went beyond the borders of Franklin County with donations to help women in Vinton County through St. Vincents DePaul.

Please check in tomorrow and see what together we've accomplished with regard to children.


2011 Donations:

Scarves 412
Hats 903
Mittens 247
Socks 318
Squares 567
Rain Ponchos 208
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 44 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

Asking you all during this busy month to add some extra comments to help the blog, tell a friend, a neighbor a co-worker what you do with your donations. Help us grow more so we help warm more folks in need.

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!

Donating Yarn to the Ohio Homeless

Cheryl B, fellow Ohioan donated a box of left over yarn she had in hopes it could be put to good use. I assured it would. You might know Cheryl from Rav as Cheryl1973. Some of above yarn is wool so will be used most likely for those outdoors and mixed with some darker colors. We're happy to have you join us Cheryl, and hope to see you here often. The more, the merrier.

*****Please avoid open and lacy stitches, if you can see your hand through the item, and or poke your finger through...it's too lacy and not warm enough. *****

2011 Donations:

Scarves 407
Hats 903
Mittens 247
Socks 2318
Squares 567
Rain Ponchos 8208
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 44 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

I'm very pleased and excited to see our numbers of donated items continue to grow and hope we see lots more of the same. As the numbers grow, I know we'll be able to help more folks in need. Wouldn't it be wonderful to hit 1,000 this year in hats donated? Or 500 scarves, knowing each item helps some cold man, woman, or child in need.

As a way to remind, and reflect as we approach years end....We help Men living outdoors, truly under bridges. We donate to men luckily enough to get a night here and there in a shelter through Faith Mission. We donate to men trying to keep their families in tact through The Homeless Families Foundation, and we help men living in temporary housing through The YWCA also a family shelter where people are trying hard to get back on their feet.

Tomorrow's post will review the women we aid, please check back.

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!

Give a Square, Thank You Sandie

16 crocheted squares from our very good friend and long time supporter, Sandie in Louisiana. These wonderful purple, lavendar, pink, dusty rose squares will find their way into an afghan for our Project Welcome Home to benefit The Homeless Families Foundation. They may be group with other squares, they may be used on their own....I'm needing to check the stash of squares I have on hand to decide.

This is a perfect December 1st blog post, as it kicks off our month long focus on squares. Squares knitted and or crocheted are joined to make afghans that are donated to The Homeless Families Foundation as house warming gifts when they transition from their temporary shelter housing to more permanent housing. Squares will be collected for the month of December, then put on hold until. I prefer not to collect squares all year long, but I will periodically call for them to be mailed again. So, don't worry if you run into a time crunch during the busy month of December. I like to hold on squares to control how many I have on hand to join.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 407
Hats 903
Mittens 247
Socks 318
Squares 551+16=567
Rain Ponchos 208
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 44 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

Squares should be made of washable yarn, be no smaller then 7 inches or larger then 10 inches. Please avoid using solid white. Do not knot and cut when changing yarn, please leave appropriate tails of several inches when changing yarn and work all ends into your work, except the final tail. Leave a tail of at least 5 inches on the final tail. Any questions, please leave them in the comments and or email me.

*****Please avoid open and lacy stitches when making hats, scarves and slippers. If you can see your hand through the item, and or poke your finger through...it's too lacy and not warm enough. *****




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 goodies being donated

Thank you Mary H from Ohio for this thoughtful and abundant donation of crocheted goodies. There are 11 brightly colored scarves, sized nice the kids, a pink shawl that I believe one of the ladies/Mom's at one of the 2 family shelters will enjoy wrapping up in, and a Candy Corn Colored crib sized ghan to brighten and warm one of the young children for our project, "Welcome Home" for The Homeless Families Foundation. Nice work Mary, keep up the good work.



2011 Donations:

Scarves 396+11=407
Hats 903
Mittens 247
Socks 318
Squares 551
Rain Ponchos 208
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 43+1=44 (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, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

This is day 30 in our Jack Otis Memorial Month, tomorrow starts our focus for squares. Please read the details before your knit/crochet/loom and mail. Thank you.

This post is #565...can you believe how fast we zipped by our last mentioned milestone of 400 posts? WOW. Each posts represents the hard and wonderful work you all do, as each post highlights a day of donations from someone...impressive isn't it! Give yourself all a pat on the bag for stellar work.

*****Please avoid open and lacy stitches, if you can see your hand through the item, and or poke your finger through...it's too lacy and not warm enough. *****

Reminder that posting comments helps the blog. How you might ask? Increased comments helps our search engine placement. When we place well in the search engines more folks can find us to help us which in turns means we can help more people. So, please please please. I know many of you visit, and read. Be brave, leave a comment, let us know you were here. Encourage each other and admire each other's work. Be friendly and get to know the other wonderful folks who help. It truly does help the blog which in turns help those we're reaching out too. You do not need to be a blogger to leave comments. Simply type your comment and click the drop down box that says name and url and leave url empty if you don't have a blog. Please use the name and url instead of anonymous. Anonymous doesn't tell us who was here and often ends up in the spam folder which in turn does not help the search engine optimization.

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!

Donation from Canada

Three warm and very soft knitted hats and a pair of knitted mittens from our newest pair of helping hands, Bonnie B (Panther from Rav) from Canada! These hats are nice and stretching and will fit a good range of head sizes. One can leave the brim rolled once as the orange and brown hats are, or double roll it as the darling turquoise print one is. Thank you so much Bonnie for your thoughtful and well made donations, they are greatly appreciated. Hope to see you here on Bridge and Beyond often.

Today and tomorrow left in our month long Jack Otis Memorial Month. Many thanks to all who read the story about Jack, and my other classmate and friend Bill. I'm always interested in learning others personal stories to share with you all. It's important to understand the homelessness does effect people we know. If you have a story you can share, please email at:
sandycrochet@gmail.com.

**Reminders:
Please include a note with your email, on line profile page and or ID's with your donations so I can contact you to let you know your thoughtful donation arrived.
Things to avoid in your knitting and crocheting: white, lacy stitches, and knotting and cutting your yarn.
***Working calendar lists each of the monthly highlighted items for this past year. I will be posting a new one for the upcoming year of 2012, please stay tuned.
****The blog is updated often, so please take time and read guidelines, some items may have changed since you began donating based on the groups we are donating too.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 386
Hats 900+3=903
Mittens 247
Socks 318
Squares 551
Rain Ponchos 208
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 43 (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.

December's focus will be squares, please check guidelines before you knit or crochet. Please email me with any questions regarding those guidelines and or times to mail squares.

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!

Help for Ohio's Homeless from New York

Our good friend AnneMarie has done it again with has, slippers, scarves, and mittens. A variety of sizes and a variety of colors. Awesome work AnneMarie.

AND, 31 more packages of ponchos and 6 dozen more pairs of socks! She sent 3 boxes and as I was opening and photographing here and there to catch up from being out of town, I didn't get all her's together. You may have seen the first installment of socks and rain poncho's HERE.

AND 43 packages of hot packs, most good for up to 8 hours according to the packages and some good for up to 18 hours according to the packages. Awesome donation, and really awesome idea. I must look the next time I'm at Sam's and see if I can get something like this in bulk?

Many many thanks AnneMarie for your thoughtful donation, and your continued support for our folks in need here in Ohio. Please keep up the good work.

Day 28th for our Jack Otis Memorial Month. I would still be interested in sharing any stories you all might have regarding homelessness having a face. Please emaill me if you have a story to share.

December's focus will be squares. Please read details regarding size and color in the side bar or across the top of the blog.

**When someone asks you why take time to make something special for someone you don't know, I think the perfect answer is, "Hope is powerful, giving someone a special hand made item made special for them, gives them Hope."

2011 Donations:

Scarves 395+1=396
Hats 888+12=900
Mittens 242+5=247
Socks 258+60=318
Squares 551
Rain Ponchos 146+62=208
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 98+2=100
Afghans 43 (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.


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!

Help for Ohio's Homeless from The Sunshine State

27th Day of Jack Otis Memorial Month

Thank you Phyllis G from Florida, The Sunshine State for this thoughtful donation for Ohio's homeless. Phyllis knitted 11 hats, and 11 scarves in a variety of colors and sizes and included 11 pairs of navy blue adult gloves. This is a wonderful donation for the men. Mostly dark male colors, and sizes appropriate. We appreciate your on going support Phyllis and look forward to seeing you here on Bridge and Beyond often with your skillful hands.

Do you belong to a group? A social group, a group at work, or school, or church? Could you print our flyer and post on the bulletin to help spread the word? If so, please do. We'd love to spread the word further, to obtain more helping hands. The more helping hands we have, the more people we can help. Through the last several of years, we've grown and have been able to help additional groups in need. I hope that continues, as the problem of those needing help certainly continues to grow. More and more families need us. We help Men, Women, and Children. We help people here Franklin County (central Ohio), and we help people in Vinton County. We help those living on the street, we help those that live in temporary shelters, we help those who get a hot meal here and there, we help those get a night here and there in a shelter. The list is on going. We need and appreciate your help with the hand made items (knitted and crocheted, and loomed). We need and appreciate your help spreading the word of the cause, be it on your blog, on facebook, on twitter or on your a bulletin board. Thank You!


2011 Donations:

Scarves 384+11=395
Hats 877+11=888
Mittens 231+11=242
Socks 258
Squares 551
Rain Ponchos 146
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 98
Afghans 43 (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.


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!

Warming Hands is Colorful

A warm, and very colorful donation of 10 pairs of mittens here from Patty L from Ohio. (gloves) A good variety of sizes here to warm different sized hands. The kids will love them. Thank you Patty for your thoughtful donation.

This is Day 26 in The Jack Otis Memorial Month. 4 more days folks, you still have time...keep your hooks and needles flying. It's cold and the men are in need.

**Reminder for those knitters and crocheters who furry pets like to lay on your donations, please do your best to remove the dog and cat hair...those lint roller things work well. If your items are washable, washing them in cold water and fluffy dry (I never use hot, even when the label says it's ok), also helps. Additionally, washing items is a great way to soften some of the rougher yarns. This helps all the recipients with allergies, as well as me when I open the boxes. THANKS**


2011 Donations:

Scarves 384
Hats 877
Mittens 221+10=231
Socks 258
Squares 551
Rain Ponchos 146
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 98
Afghans 43 (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.

***Reviewing our numbers above makes me wonder if we can heat 500 for scarves? Or 300 for mittens? ***

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!

Fabulous Knitting being Donated

Thank you Pat E for this thoughtful donation. Knitted wonderfulness here folks! Take a look at the darling little sweater, the 10 pair of fabulously made mittens in lots of different sizes, and a red scarf! Lovely, truly lovely Pat. Much appreciate your continued support of the cause with your knitted donations. Keep up the good work!

2011 Donations:

Scarves 383+1=384
Hats 877
Mittens 211+10=221
Socks 258
Squares 551
Rain Ponchos 146
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 9+1=10
Slippers 98
Afghans 43 (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.

This is Day 25 for Jack Otis Memorial Month. If you've missed reading about, please click on his picture in the side bar.

Next month, Dec we're once again activating "Give a Square". Please read about it, also in the side bar before you make your squares. Sizes, colors, purpose etc all the info is there.

TIPS:
If you like to keep track of your donations, print the blog post where your's are highlighted.
Use double thickness when knitting or crocheting slippers for extra warmth and durability
Avoid white yarn for the dirt factor
Avoid lacy, open see through stitches and patterns. We're going for warmth and durability. If you can poke your finger through your stitches, try a smaller hook/needle and or different stitch.
Avoid tying a knot and cutting your yarn when you change colors or add new yarn, ALWAYS leave tails of several inches and work them into your work.

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!

Donations from The Peach Tree State

Thank you Marilyn P from The Peach Tree State (Georgia) for the donation of these 10 hats. Some of the hats are crocheted, others I think knitted...probably on a loom? Nice variety of size and color here folks. Marilyn is our newest pair of helping hands. Welcome Marilyn. Love having you help us warm Ohio's Homeless. Hope to see you on Bridge and Beyond often.

Marilyn is an artist folks. She paints, hop over to her webpage. You can find her link in the sidebar listing of those who donate with blogs.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 383
Hats 866+10=877
Mittens 211
Socks 258
Squares 551
Rain Ponchos 146
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 9
Slippers 98
Afghans 43 (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.

This is Day 24 in The Jack Otis Memorial Month. Do you have a story you can share with us?

December's focus....squares. Details can be found in the sidebar (Welcome Home), and Give a Square, as well as in the tab area across the top of the blog.

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!