Homeless Children and their Families

Folks I've mentioned off and on over the last couple of weeks the possibility of expanding out mission, expanding the people we help. It is official. I've added The Homeless Families Foundation to to our Mission Statement above.

I've reviewed their webpage, and been in contact with Karie Gallegos, Resident Support Manager. This agencies is celebrating it's 25th year of operation. It is located on Broad Street in downtown Columbus. It provides housing for 47 families. The Homeless Families Foundation's mission is to provide shelter, support, stability, and nurturing for homeless children and their families. Families are provided with temporary furnished housing for up to 3 months while assistance is given to get the family back on their feet, find permanent housing etc. Additionally, a wonderful after school program is provided.

While I'm sad the need for families exists, I am happy we will be able to reach more folks in need; through your continued support. The weather is turning here in Central Ohio, the need for warm items if fast approaching. I'll be delivering a large donation, some of our summer stock pile to these children and their families. Many thanks for all your help with your thoughtful and lovingly made knitted and crocheted items. Please keep up the good work.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 284
Hats 560
Mitts 133
Socks 101
Squares 420
Rain Ponchos 60
Cotton Washcloths 280
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
From now until October 8, I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

If you didn't get a chance to watch the video I posted a couple of days ago, please click HERE,
to learn more about this local organization that helps homeless children and their families.

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!

Homemade Items for The Homeless

Our friend Yvonne has once again donated, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and 3 lovely warm knitted hats! Hats as always are so nicely done, great colors, soft, thick and warm. Many thanks Yvonne for your skillful hands and your ongoing support. We truly appreciate you, as do the homeless here in Ohio that you donate too.

**From now until October 8, one month from today I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out a box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. ** After all, scarves are our highlighted item for September so this seems to make good sense.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 284
Hats 557+3=560
Mitts 133
Socks 101
Squares 420
Rain Ponchos 60
Cotton Washcloths 280
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)


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!

Hats to warm homeless heads.

Awesome! 15 crocheted hats from our friend Jennifer S in Ohio. These are all crocheted, and all great for the boys. Click on the picture so you can see the detail/texture in her hats. Very nice. I think she's accomplished that by using back post triples or doubles? I've gotten more hats for girls of late so pleased to get these for the boys. Well done Jennifer. Thank you for your thoughtful donation, and your on going support, it's truly greatly appreciated.

*Thanks for the heads up about my adding these 15 hats to the scarf numbers....fixed it*

2011 Donations:

Scarves 284
Hats 542+15=557
Mitts 133
Socks 101
Squares 420
Rain Ponchos 60
Cotton Washcloths 280
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)

**We into September now, that's our month to focus on scarves if you don't know what you want to make. Remember all items except squares are collected all year long, the working calendar that highlights a particular items is not restrictive.**

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 really RED Donation

Do not rub your eyes, do not adjust your monitor, you are in fact seeing red x 8! Eight fun, red scarves to warm and delight 8 people in need. Some crocheted width wise, some crocheted lengthwise, some with fringe, some without fringe, some with pockets, some with tassels. What a fun Red Donation this is. Thank you DaMarys in Florida. We have new helping hands and are thrilled as always. Welcome DaMarys, hope to see you often. Many thanks for your thoughtful donation.

Perfect too, since September's focus is in fact SCARVES! Finally got our scrolling marque changed, (had forgotten to do that since August left us). Also added some guide lines to the working calendar page, which you see in tab area across the top of the page.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 276+8=284
Hats 542
Mitts 133
Socks 101
Squares 420
Rain Ponchos 60
Cotton Washcloths 280
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)

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!

Donated Crocheted Camo Hats for Men

Thank you Gail B from Virginia for these fabulous crocheted camo hats for our homeless men. They are nicely sized and warm I'm always excited to get hats large enough for the men. Some of you who've been involved with donating for Bridge and Beyond may remember our start up days here. Initially we only accepted and provided for Men, the group most often overlooked in charities. We started there because the need was great, the men were most often the ones truly living in the elements, and the group most often not provided for. We were able to provide for others as time continued through the generous support of knitters and crocheters with such big giving hearts.

We're now provide for men, women, and children living in shelters, temporary housing situations, and those in desperate cirucmstances.

Currently we're in the process of obtaining additional information/wants and needs of several groups to see whom we can best lend a helping hand to. Please keep your needles and hooks flying.

Many thanks Gail for your wonderful donation, keep up the good work.


2011 Donations:

Scarves 276
Hats 537+7=542
Mitts 133
Socks 101
Squares 420
Rain Ponchos 60
Cotton Washcloths 280
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)

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!

The Face of Homelessness, Please Donate

Please turn your sound on. Share this with someone you know, share the knowledge about homelessness. I've got information forthcoming on this group of homeless families that I believe we'll be able to help. This video, is insightful. Even if, after obtaining information we're not able to help this particular group; I believe their video is relevant.

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!