End of the Year 2011 Final Tallies

WOW!
You all did it. A while back, as I was watching our numbers grow I dreamed/wondered and hoped we might hit 500 scarves...and LOOK, 502. And, I wondered if we might hit 1,000 hats, and LOOK, we did 1,008.

Everyone involved deserves a big Thank You, and a HUGE pat on the back.

I am truly thrilled at this years accomplishments. We've increased our helping hands, giving us the ability to reach more people in need. We've added 2 family shelters to the list of those we've helped in the past. We've added a couple of grade schools to that list, we reached beyond our county borders to help those in Vinton County as well. All wonderful accomplishments that couldn't have been achieved without the continued love and support and skillful hands of you all.
If you missed the impressive list of those who donated in the year 2011...it's HERE. Please take a look, and if I missed anyone...do sing out. Going back through a whole year of blog posts to compile the list, it's possible I inadvertently missed someone.

We had a nice article written about the cause and the blog in Crochet Magazine this year too. If you didn't get a chance to read that...check the side bar and try finding a copy at your newsstand and or library.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 502
Hats 1,008
Mittens 239
Socks 374
Squares 941
Rain Ponchos 222
Cotton Washcloths 424
Sweaters/Poncho's 11
Slippers 134
Afghans 56 (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 how far we've come folks!
2008-2009 Donations
Hats 368
Mittens 66
Scarves 147
Socks 79 pair*counts from day 1, Dec 2 2008

2010 Donations
Scarves 340
Hats 592
Mittens 151
Socks 101
Slippers 34
Ghans 10
Squares 238

To date, we've knitted/crocheted and donated a total of 1,968 hats to warm men, women and children, in need. We've knitted and crocheted a total of 989 scarves and 456 mittens; again for men, women, and children.

Some of you have been with us from the start, some who were with us in the start no longer are, and some of you are recent helpers. I value you all and truly THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart. Please know you've made a very important difference to a great many people. Please keep up the good work. I hope we can continue at this level and grow even more. Please help us grow more by telling people what you do. Everyone knows someone who knits or crochets, who wants to help others, who blogs, who tweets, who facebooks, etc.

Goals for year 2012 (I'm dreaming big)
Grow our numbers of helping hands
Grow our numbers of items donated
Grow by reaching other groups who need our help
Grow from 184 followers to 250? (ask your friends if they blog, ask them to follow us)
Improve our google page rank from it's current 3 to 4 or more. (we grew from 2 to 3 in July)
Improve our Alexa rank (remember that number needs to go down to be better). In July when it was added to the page our rank was 6,123,422 and this morning when I started writing this scheduled post (Jan 5th), it was 3,885,629.

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!

Being Behind turned to Being AHEAD?

As squares were coming in, being separated for storing until use; some ghans were being designed. I like to do several at one time generally speaking ...you know while I've got squares thrown around and the brain is in gear. Then I bag and label them and after completing a few, design more. This was designed about 10 days before Christmas, actually I considered whether or not I might be able to get it done once I completed the one I was working on....not realistic...so then I thought...behind again........NOPE...I left it bagged and tagged and will leave it in que...I'm ahead right? lol...for Christmas of 2012 instead of 2011. Unless at some point I snatch a square or two from here that I need for another ghan...will see how that goes. I like the look of this, but it will require quite a bit of work to fit the different sizes together.........

2011 Donations:

Scarves 502
Hats 1,008
Mittens 239
Socks 374
Squares 941
Rain Ponchos 222
Cotton Washcloths 419+5=424
Sweaters/Poncho's 11
Slippers 134
Afghans 56 (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.

**Hope you've noticed and read some of the additions and changes here on the blog folks. **

****January continues to focus on Mittens, hope you're all busy knitting and crocheting****

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!

Personal Items Donated from The Tar Heel State

Thank you Anne G from North Carolina (The Tar Heel State) for your thoughtful donation of personal care items (shampoo, soap, lip balm, toothpaste, toothbrushes, tissues, powder, combs, brushes, and lotions), and 5 fabulous crocheted cotton washcloths. Look how pretty these cloths are...bright and cheery. Everyone loves cotton washcloths and the need for the cotton cloths and personal care items never goes away...not for our families at the shelters or our men on street. Many thanks Anne G.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 502
Hats 1,008
Mittens 239
Socks 374
Squares 941
Rain Ponchos 222
Cotton Washcloths 419+5=424
Sweaters/Poncho's 11
Slippers 134
Afghans 56 (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.

**Hope you've noticed and read some of the additions and changes here on the blog folks. **

****January continues to focus on Mittens, hope you're all busy knitting and crocheting****

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!

Colorful and Adorable Donations from The Sunshine State

Thank you Linda for your on going support from The Sunshine State (Florida) and your skillful hands. Look at these darling mittens and hats! A variety of sizes and colors make it perfect. AND...those hats with the ear flaps....AWESOME. Not only are they warm, and soft...they are super stylish. Love to post your pattern Linda, is that possible?

2011 Donations:

Scarves 502
Hats 1,001+7=1,008
Mittens 234+5=239
Socks 374
Squares 941
Rain Ponchos 222
Cotton Washcloths 419
Sweaters/Poncho's 11
Slippers 134
Afghans 56 (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.

**Hope you've noticed and read some of the additions and changes here on the blog folks. **

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 "Knotty Knitters" from The Bay State

Thank you "Knotty Knitters" from The Bay State (Massachusetts). The "Knotty Knitters", Lois, Lucille, Penny, Lynne and Melody have been very busy indeed. Take at look at this wonderful team donation of scarves (21), hats (16), mittens (6), socks (14), and yarn, and rain poncho's (6). These ladies get together, knit chat and donate to charity. Such a wonderful win win situation for all involved. Thank you ladies, keep up the good work. We look forward to seeing you again here on Bridge and Beyond with your caring hearts and busy hands.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 481+21=502
Hats 985+16=1,001
Mittens 258+6=234
Socks 360+14=374
Squares 941
Rain Ponchos 216+6=222
Cotton Washcloths 419
Sweaters/Poncho's 11
Slippers 134
Afghans 56 (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.

**AND...drum roll, these donation of hats and scarves has put us over the magic numbers of 1,000 and 500 I wondered if we'd hit!!! That's very exciting AND we still have days left in Decembers Donations, so.............do stay tuned**

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!

Knitted hats donated from The Golden State

Thank you Louise S from The Golden State (California) for these 2 lovely, super soft and well knitted hats. Being partial to red, that would be my pick; but they are both very nice. Two more people warmed such a wonderful thing. Thank you Louise for your on going support, it is greatly appreciated.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 481
Hats 983+2=985
Mittens 258
Socks 360
Squares 941
Rain Ponchos 216
Cotton Washcloths 419
Sweaters/Poncho's 11
Slippers 134
Afghans 56 (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 how close we're getting folks to those goals of 1,000 hats and 500 scarves.....pretty excited. We may make it yet. Donations continue to come in, and while you're reading this post in the year 2012, it is written in Dec of 2011....December's donations are still being tallied and posted.**

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!