Hats for the Homeless

Five awesome knitted hats, soft and warm being donated from our friend Marie P from Tennessee.  Thank you, Thank you Marie.  Hats are soooooo well made and thank you too for labeling with size.  So very much appreciated.

I left a couple tags showing for the picture folks, so you could see the little white tags I've talked about several times here on the blog.  Hats, Slippers, and Mittens should all be tagged with the size you made; so they can be more easily distributed to the right group.  I separate by men, women, and children so having things helps assure the recipient will receive something that fits.  When items are sized, I try to quess; but given the volume of our donations that's really not the best method.   If you're making children sizes, please mark them small, medium, and large children.  Likewise s-m-l adult or large male etc.

In addition to labeling sizes, please make sure mittens and slippers are attached in pairs.  Sometimes when donations are received things slide around during shipping and they may not be nicely placed with the mate, as they probably were when you sealed your box.  Sometimes I receive several pairs in the same colors and so it's often difficult to be sure things meant to be a pair actually end up as a pair.


Donations: 2012
Hats 948+5=953 (only 16 hats away from the number we collected last year)
Scarves: 588
Slippers: 144
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

 **Please be certain all your tails are worked in as you go.  Check your edges and the insides of your hats for tails before you mail**

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!

That was Then AND This is NOW

 Though the year is not yet over, I thought it was getting close to when we might want to reflect back...to see how we as a group are doing. 

 Last year on Dec 31st  we had donated 969 hats, and here as of the writing of this post we're at 948 which is only 21 hats short.  This post is, as all post are; written ahead and placed in que.  It's to be published on Dec 11th so I'm betting the remaining 20 days of the month will put us over the number we donated to Ohio's Homeless and those in need last year.  

Scarves....drum roll here.  By years end we had donated 471 and we're already over that with 588.  An increase of 117.  How awesome is that!

Slippers we've also passed our year end mark of 128 by 16, as we've donated 144 pairs to date!

Last year we donated 55 afghans and we are currently have donated 42.  Surpassing that mark may not be possible.  I've doubled my efforts with assembling afghans; but 13 between now and the end of the year probably is only possible if we get already completed afghans.

Mittens...thrilled to say we've gone over our end of the year mark of 258, as we're currently at 299 pairs of warmer hands!  This really pleases me, a co-worker the other day told me when her hands are cold, she's cold all over.

Last year we collected 852 squares and this year 849....I would say we're right on the mark.  I still have plenty to work with, so please remember to hold mailing them until I highlight them again.  I'm uses up all my storage, so it will be several months before I put out a call for them again.  Please check in.   

Last year we donated 333 pairs of socks, sadly we're well under that number for this year with 196.  That's a difference of 137 pairs of cold feet.  Maybe we can have a push and increase that some between now and the end of the year?

Rain poncho's we're right on the mark, with donating 216 last year and 213 this year.  Keeping people dry is wonderful.

Last year we knitted, crocheted and donated 345 cotton washcloths, and this year.....521!!!!  How awesome is that.  They are used in all 3 of the family shelters we support, and also are used in moving out kits when the families move from the shelter living into permanent housing.  Well done with an increase of 176.

Keep up the good work folks with your knitting, crocheting, and looming.  Together we are a team, and together we've made a huge difference and can continue to do so.


Donations: 2012
Hats 948
Scarves: 588
Slippers: 144
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies 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!

Meeting New Helping Hands

 Meeting, face to face is always so much fun.  Lola, our newest pair of helping hands and I were able to meet and enjoyed chatting.  I even got to meet her sweet husband when they dropped off this colorful donation.  Lola and her sister (sorry don't know sister's name), like to loom hats.  As you can see, they've been very busy making medium sized hats of ever color possible.  In the above picture you can see hats with a nice large brim, as well as those not folded.  These hats can fit a variety of people from adults to teens, and with the brim folded large or twice some children as well.

 More hats, a total of 77; just divided them into 2 groups for the photo's.  Many thanks Lola and Sister, we're thrilled to have you join the cause and look forward to more good work from you both.  Hope to see you here often on Bridge and Beyond.

I'd like to help; but I'm too busy to knit or crochet right now.  I often here that; or I don't knit or crochet and would love to help.  My answer is, YOU CAN.  There are many ways to help.  You can help buy purchasing socks.  Socks are needed all year long.  Mens socks please.  Want to help, but can't do so if it involves spending?  No problem.  Spend time on our blog, reading and posting comments.  Yes, that really does help.  Tell your friends and neighbors and co-workers about us.  They might knit or crochet, or be able to buy socks...and spend time reading and commenting.  Do you blog?  Blog about us, leave a link so people can find the blog that helps spread the word.  Do you have a facebook, 4 Square, Pinterest, or Twitter account?  Talk about us, leave a link...help people find us.  Send out our link to your email account.  Help us spread the word, the more helping hands we can garner, the more people in need we can reach.  Thank You!
Donations: 2012
Hats 871+77=948
Scarves: 588
Slippers: 144

Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies 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!

Sister Join Forces to Support Ohio's Homeless

 Our friend Marjorie M from Minnesota has been busy spreading the word of our need and has recruited her sister, Kari S from Wisconsin to be our newest pair of helping hands.  How awesome is that!  When the awesome sisters got together for the recent Thanksgiving Holiday, Kari past along these 2 boxes of crocheted and knitted goodies to Marjorie who got them in the mail to us.  AWESOME!

You can see a lots of variety in her hats, and scarves.  She also included some personal care items, and headbands.  We're thrilled to have you join us Kari S from Wisc, and hope to see you often here at Bridge and Beyond.  And thanks too Marjorie for helping us out by recruiting your sister, well done!  Marjorie dedicated this wonderful donation to her husband, John's memory.  I'm sorry for your loss, Marjorie.  I'm sure he feels honored to have you remember him this way.

Keep up the good work ladies!

**Please remember to check the tabs across the top of the blog periodically.  Information about sizes, colors, fibers is available.  Patterns are added, changed over time and it's important to stay current on the needs of those we help.  AND remember you don't have to be a blogger to do that, simply click the tab and read.  If you have questions regarding certain donations not addressed there, please leave a comment and or shoot me an email.  Thank You.**

 
Donations: 2012
Hats 853+18=871
Scarves: 572+16=588
Slippers: 144
Shawls: 2
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls: 5
Vest 1
Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies 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!

What's Inside Box Number 2 and 3?

 Diana K has been more then busy.   Take a look and you'll see what I mean.  Holly cow, and Wow!!  Above see a purple and green granny square afghan (before I laundered and blocked it), a blue shawl, 4 squares, and 7 cotton washcloths.  Must not let my DD see the purple and green afghan, as those are her favorite colors.  Once laundered and blocked this will make a nice size afghan for a little girl, and or a lapghan size ghan for a teen or adult female.  What lady/girl/woman doesn't like purple and green!  But, wait folks this was only box #1....wanna see what was in box #2?

 Of course you do.  Here then is box #2, crocheted and knitted matching hat and scarf sets.  The light green set is knitted and lighter weight then the others which are all crocheted.  I LOVE the salmon colored one, such a pretty shade.  But...hold on, there's still box #3................

 I'm beginning to wonder if Diana stays up all night...how did you get sooooooooo much done?  This box contains 5 more matching sets (hats and scarves), all crocheted, and 47 cotton washcloths!  The cotton washcloths are stacked up, but if you click the picture to enlarge (which you can always do here on the blog) you'll be able to see the 4 colors.  Because blue and green has always been one of my personal favorite color combinations, I really that pile.  I've used that variegated cotton before as well, and it's quite pretty. 

Thank you, thank you Diana for your wonderful donation, and your on going support, please keep up the good work.

**If you a person who visits the blog, but is shy and hasn't posted comments, let me nudge you a bit.  Why, you might wonder.  Visiting, spending time, and leaving comments helps the blog.  The more visits, the more comments this blog gets; helps it's placement with search engines.  A good placement with search engines is vital in the continued growth of the blog and it's ability to be visible to more people who may be searching for a place to make donations to.  You do not need to be a blogger to leave blog comments.  You need not be concerned about privacy either, you don't need to leave your last name.  I never do within my posts.  Beneath each blog post, you click comment and a white square pops up.  Type your comment there.  Then you click the drop down box which gives you options as to your signature...all you do is type your name (first name and maybe last initial or the state you're from), leave the url space empty if you do not have a blog/webpage, or profile page.  That's it!  Easy Peasy.  I know many of you have donated often over the last several years and have never left a comment.  PLEASE DO!  When you help the blog's placement, we attract more helpers which gives us the ability to reach more people in need.  So you see...it truly does help and is IMPORTANT.  The bonus is, everyone who donates loves to see nice comments about their donations, so please.....stop being shy and let us know you were here by leaving a comment.**

Donations: 2012
Hats 842+11=853
Scarves: 561+11=572
Slippers: 144
Shawls: 2
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls: 4+1=5
Vest 1
Afghans: 41+1=42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 845+4=849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 467+54=521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies 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!

Welcome Home and Merry Christmas

 This Christmas Time Afghan is, I think a very special Welcome Home Gift for one of our families at Homeless Families Foundation.  These red and green squares were crocheted (Filet Crochet) by our very good friend, AnneMarie in New York.  Each row has a different shape. The 5 shapes are: Tree, Bell, Candy Cane, Santa Sleigh, and Wreath, 30 squares in all.  I crocheted them together with white and added 4 rows of sc followed by a row of sc in red and then dark green for a nice wide border.

Thank you AnneMarie for your awesome squares, they were fun to put together.

**Speaking of squares, as you know I've asked that you all hold mailing your squares until I call for them again; as I need to get more ghans assembled and make room.  However, let's share some square love.  February is the month of love, Valentine's Day and all.  It's been awhile since we've sent afghans to our friends at Pine Street Inn(see badge in right sidebar).  Their mission is like our own, housing those folks in need.  Squares you wish to make and mail during the month of February will be set aside, not for me to assemble; but for a mass mailing of squares to our friends at Pine Street Inn.  Please only mail during that month.  I still have plenty here to put together for Homeless Families Foundation and will not need additional squares for some time.**

Donations: 2012
Hats 842
Scarves: 561
Slippers: 144
Shawls: 2
Sweaters& Ponchos: 4
Vest 1
Afghans: 40+1=41
Mittens: 299
Squares: 845
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 467
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies 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!