Boxes of Donations for those in Need

 Here's Box #1 from a good friend, Annemarie from New York.  Hats, scarves, chapsticks, razors, and heat packs.  You know how what a wonderful donation this is.  Heat packs will help warm hands and feet of those out in the elements.  And dry cracked lips hurt, so chapstick is fabulous too.  Thank you Annemarie for all you do.

 Here's the goods from box #2, more scarves, some slippers, and an awesome sweater!

 I paired one of the scarves in this close up of the sweater so you could see how awesome it is.  I bagged it this way as well when I delivered this sweater and scarf to Homeless Families Foundation the other day.  A fabulous donation, as always Annemarie, many many thanks.

**Reminder to please remove hair from your donations (both pet and human) with a lint brush/roller or launder if it's excessive**

Donations: 2012 

Hats 975+7=982  (13 more hats then we donated last year)
Scarves: 608+10=618  (147 scarves over what we donated last year)
Slippers: 143+3=146 (18 over last year)
Sweaters, Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8+1=9
Afghans: 45  10 short of last years
Mittens: 299 (41 more then last year)
Squares: 950 (98 more then last year)
Socks: 196 (137 less then last year)
Rain Poncho's 213 (3 less then last year)
Cotton Washcloths 568 (277 more donated then last year)
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)

**I will continue to add numbers to the years totals after Dec 31st, so all donations received by years end will be counted in the year they are received.  Since each donation is a day, they will be some over flow into January.  Thus year end numbers won't be finalized until then.*

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!

Unknown Crocheter in St. Louis Donates to help Ohioans

This donations of hats and scarves comes from an UNKNOWN Crocheter from St. Louis.  That's what was listed on the mailing label.  A variety of colors in both hats and scarves, as well as sizes.  We're always happy to have new helping hands for our cause.  I'm ok with someone wanting to be anonymous here on the blog; however for my records I truly do need to know from whom the donations come from.  That's why I work so hard trying to find people through Rav, Facebook, my emails, blogs etc when I get a donation I can't match up.  It's important, I know I sound like a record here on replay....that even if you wish to be anonymous here on the blog, YOU MUST include a note with your name and your email address with your donation.  Simply state on the note you wish to be anonymous on the blog.

So...please unknown crocheter from St. Louis, if you're out there reading this blog post, send me an email, and remember to include your name and email in your next donation. 

Donations: 2012 

Hats 961+14=975  (6 more hats then we donated last year)
Scarves: 595+13=608  (137 scarves over what we donated last year)
Slippers: 143 (15 over last year)
Sweaters, Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8
Afghans: 45  10 short of last years
Mittens: 299 (41 more then last year)
Squares: 950 (98 more then last year)
Socks: 196 (137 less then last year)
Rain Poncho's 213 (3 less then last year)
Cotton Washcloths 568 (277 more donated then last year)
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)

 **Remember folks to avoid the use of white, off-white and tan with all your donations, and avoid the use of novelty fibers and suede.  Novelty fibers and suede aren't sturdy washable fibers.  All items have their own tabs across the top of the blog indicating size, color, and fiber requirements.  Please make sure you're current on those requirements so items being donated are appropriate for the cause.  Email me with any questions, Thank 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!

Colorful Donation from Wisconsin aids Ohio's Needy

Thank you Sue VK from Wisconsin for this awesome, and very colorful donation.  Sue has donated 79 squares which will become fabulous afghans for our friends at Homeless Families Foundation for Project Welcome Home, 5 warm soft knitted hats to keep people warm, and 21 pretty cotton washcloths.  Well done Sue VK.

 Sue if you have a Facebook or Ravelry profile page, please let me know so I can switch the list you're on.  It's helpful.
**Folks, please remember to pair your mittens and slippers, and please tag hats, mittens, and slippers with size.  A tag attached right to the item is best as the volunteers who receive these items at the other end can them get them to the right group.  Additionally, they are often separated on shelves to distribute by size, so it's best not to tag a bag that says all hats are medium.  They'll be removed from the bags, please tag each item with size.**


This is post 893, wow only 7 more until we hit yet another milestone.  900 Blog post will be here before we know it!  Thanks to all that make that possible.  The more blogs equates to more donations....Awesome

Donations: 2012 

Hats 956+5=961  (8 hats from the number we donated last year)
Scarves: 595  (124 scarves over what we donated last year)
Slippers: 143 (15 over last year)
Sweaters, Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8
Afghans: 45  10 short of last years
Mittens: 299 (41 more then last year)
Squares: 871+79=950 (98 more then last year)
Socks: 196 (137 less then last year)
Rain Poncho's 213 (3 less then last year)
Cotton Washcloths 547+21=568 (277 more donated then last year)
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!

Buckeye Blitz Afghan heading to Homeless Families Foundation

 This is the latest afghan assembled from your donated squares.  I named this one, Buckeye Blitz.  The red and white squares came from our good friend Anne Marie.  I edged them with 2 (dc) rows of charcoal gray, and 3 rows of black (2 rows of dc and 1 of sc), crocheted them together using black; and finished it off with 5 rows of sc.  It's a nice sized family afghan...it's drying here after being laundered.  The blocking may add another half inch as I tug a bit here and there as it dries.

**Please remember to avoid open lacy stitches with your hats, scarves, mittens, slippers etc.  Question whether it's too open, too lacy?  Can you poke your fingers through easily?  If so, the answer is yes; it's too open.  Try a tighter stitch or down size your needles/hook.  We want items to be both warm and sturdy.**

Have you had a chance to read about our friend, Marie Anne's project for caring for the victims of Sandy Hook?  Please scroll back a post and read.  It's a worthy cause, I hope you can lend a hand.

Donations: 2012 

Hats 956  (13 hats from the number we donated last year)
Scarves: 595  (124 scarves over what we donated last year)
Slippers: 143 (15 over last year)
Sweaters, Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8
Afghans: 44+1=45  10 short of last years
Mittens: 299 (41 more then last year)
Squares: 871 (19 more then last year)
Socks: 196 (137 less then last year)
Rain Poncho's 213 (3 less then last year)
Cotton Washcloths 547 (256 more donated then last year)
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!

Massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary

I know everyone has seen pictures, and read articles about the horrific killings a few days ago at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.  It's horrible, it's frighten and everyone is at a loss as to why these things keep happening.  So many families affected.  Not just the families of those who lost loved ones, but everyone in that school, everyone in that community, that state, and across The United States.  The grief and despair doesn't stop there.  It's felt globally by parents everywhere, by educators, students.  

There really is nothing one can say or do, to erase the nightmare or bring back those lost.  Perhaps though, there is something we can do to express our concern and sadness and support for these families.  Our good friend, Marie Anne has started a Facebook group, titled Hands, Hearts and Hugs.

Her plan is to make comfort afghans for each of those families that suffered the loss of a loved one from donated squares.  She's asking for help:

1. People to knit or crochet squares
2. People to help assemble the afghans
3. People to help with the cost of postage
4. People to help with spreading the word

Though those who've sent squares have done so with the idea they would be assembled and donated to those in need through Homeless Families Foundation, I think it is most appropriate that we also help those in need in Newtown, Connecticut.  I'll be getting a ghan assembled and off to Annemarie as soon as possible.

AND since I currently am not accepting squares (as I have plenty on hand), anyone wishing to help by making squares....please check out the Facebook page for details and send your squares to Annemarie.

We will continue to collect squares and assemble afghans here on Bridge and Beyond for those families leaving shelter living and moving into their homes as Project Welcome Home is on going.  I will put out a call again, down the road for squares as my quantities here diminish after assembling more afghans. 

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!

THANK YOU

 Enjoy this pretty picture I took in Aruba as you read these sweet Thank You's for all your hard work!

Folks, first I'd like to start out by thanking our good friend, and long time supporter Annemarie from New York.  One night when she had insomnia she took the time to go back through my blog posts here and found some math discrepancies.  She's helped me before by catching posts where I missed adding things and I really appreciate it.  Sometimes I post early in the morning before work, or late at night after work.  Tired eyes sometimes have issues.  She found 5 posts (March 3rd and 11th, May 6th, Aug 21st, and Oct 26th), that needed corrections.  I've made changes on those dates; but rather then edit ever single post from March 3 forward I'll make the adjustments here to our numbers.

Using yesterdays totals I'm showing the adjustments here:

Donations: 2012 

Hats 955+(1 from 8-21)=956  (13 hats from the number we donated last year)
Scarves: 595-1(3-11) +1 (8-21)  (124 scarves over what we donated last year)
Slippers: 144-1=143 (15 over last year)
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8
Afghans: 42+2=44 (+1 (8-21) +1 (10-26) 11 short of last years
Mittens: 299 (41 more then last year)
Squares: 862 +9 (3-3)= 871 (19 more then last year)
Socks: 196 (137 less then last year)
Rain Poncho's 213 (3 less then last year)
Cotton Washcloths 539 +10 (5-6) -2 (8-21)=547 (256 more donated then last year)
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)

AND I wanted to share some recent Thank You emails.  Lynn, a lady I meant several years ago at a sausage party (some of you will remember that story, but for those that don't here's the post), helps me by distributing to schools, and agencies in need.  She and her husband volunteer at Holy Family Soup Kitchen, and have made many deliveries there.  Here's a copy from their new director, Sharon Wing.

 **this note from Sharon Wing

Dear Sandy,

We here at Holy Family Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry are very grateful for your kind donations.

We are praying for you and ask that you keep us and the Parish of Holy Family in your prayers.

God Bless You

 -------------------------------------------
Lynn also delivered some of our knitted and crocheted donations to several schools in need.  Many schools have children that come without warm clothing to school.  Some of these children are in fact homeless, some are from the various shelters.  I'm happy we're able to reach out and in so many different ways.  Thank you Lynn for helping with these deliveries.  I know I'm not the only one who appreciates you.

 **this note from Dorothy J. Lowery at Highland Elementary School
Sandy~

On behalf of the staff, students and families of Highland Elementary I would like to thank you for your generosity!  We received your delivery of hats, gloves and; scarves. Our students were thrilled as many of them do not have these necessities. They were very excited as they got to choose something for themselves.

We appreciate you thinking of us!

Sincerely,
Dorothy Lowery
---------------------------------
Lynn also delivered some of our donations to her Daughter-in-law, Michelle Schroeck who is a teacher and knows the need first hand.  Here's a nice email from her.

I would like to express my deepest thanks to you. My mother in law gave me a bag of beautiful hats. I am donating them to our school (Teays Valley Middle School West) and our community free store. Your dedication to helping others is heart warming. We really appreciate all of the love and work you and your organization has poured into these gifts of love. 

Thank 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!