Expaning the Mission, Volunteers Needed

 Sadly, new areas where pockets of homeless people in need have come to light.  Currently 5 areas in the North end of Columbus are known about.  I say sadly, because there is need.  However, it's a need we can answer.  We can, and will continue our support of homeless in need.  These 5 areas will receive hot meals on Saturday mornings.  Our good friend Rae, is heading up this quest.  There are now enough volunteers to continue to care for the original "Bridge People", and to reach out now to others.

She'll be happy to accept help from anyone local wanting to become involved with the preparing and distribution of the hot meals.  If you're local to Columbus and want to assist with this ministry, please leave a comment below, and or email me at sandycrochet@gmail.com.  I'll pass along your contact information to Rae so plans can be worked out. 

She will need some basic supplies to expand this ministry into the new area.  Plastic grocery bags are needed, large plastic garbage bags are needed, and plastic containers, (butter dishes, yogurt containers, cottage cheese containers and the like) are needed.  Please wash out your empty containers and donate them.  If you're local, you can drop them off and or mail them to me.  If you're not local and would like to donate, email me for my address.  The plastic containers are used for left overs after meal preparation, the large garbage bags are to help the homeless carry their limited clothes, and the plastic grocery bags are used for them to carry their hot meal in.

Naturally if you knit, crochet, or loom; you can make and donate hats, mittens, and scarves to help keep them warm.  If you're able to shop for men's socks, they are always needed.  The words, hats, mittens, and scarves are all links and will take you to the tab on the top of the blog with necessary information you need to read regarding size, colors, and fibers needed; and what to avoid.

Please lend your prayers to this new expanded ministry, as together we start down another  path.  So many people need us...need YOU and ME to do what we can to ease their journey.

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats: 111
Scarves: 78
Socks: 39
Afghans: 2 
Slippers: 13
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 4 
Cotton WashClothes:47
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators etc aren't tabulated

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Crocheted Hats to Warm Many Heads for Ohio's Homeless

 Two dozen hats!  Awesome donation from our newest pair of helping hands, Helen R from Arizona.  These 24 crocheted hats are quite varied in both style and size.  If you click to enlarge the picture you'll be able to see the wide variety of styles she's donating.  Awesome work Helen.  Thrilled to have you join us and hope to see lots of you here on Bridge and Beyond.

And...check out those cute little slippers on the left hand side.  Adorable.


2013 Donation Totals 
Hats:  87+24=111
Scarves: 78
Socks: 39
Afghans: 2 
Slippers: 13+1=14
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 4 
Cotton WashClothes:47
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators etc aren't tabulated

**Working calendar will be forth coming folks, but for the remainder of February, our focus is feet.  Socks for adult males, and slippers for Men, Women, and Children.  See details in the slipper tab.  And be sure and check in soon to find out what the focus for March will be.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Thank You from Homeless Families Foundation

I'm sharing a thank you letter here from Homeless Families Foundation.  We donate knitted and crocheted hats, scarves, mitttens, slippers and more to Homeless Families Foundation on a regular basis.  In addition the afghans you make, as well as the ones I assemble from your donated squares are donated to our Project Welcome Home, through Homeless Families Foundation.  They feed, cloth, and house people in need in a variety of ways.  Additionally, they tutor children in an after school program at The Dawd Center mentioned in the above letter.

They've been helping people in need for 25 years.  Thank you all for your thoughtful donations, please keep them coming so we can continue to help this family shelter.  They do so many wonderful things for those in need.

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats: 87
Scarves: 78
Socks: 39
Afghans: 2 
Slippers: 13
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 4 
Cotton WashClothes:47
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators etc aren't tabulated


All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

West Broad Street Elementary Children in Need

I wanted to share this nice thank you note from West Broad Street Elementary school.  I hope you're able to read it when you click to enlarge, as it's a picture rather then a scan.  Not sure why, but had difficulties when I tried to scan it and get it posted for you.  West Broad Street has many children in need, some of whom are in fact homeless.  How nice the children can now go outside and play with their friends vs staying indoors because of not having warm items to wear.

They also included a nice newsletter indicating things the school is doing.  They discussed attendance and it's importance to the families, talk about parent teacher conferences, and other important school matters. 

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats: 87
Scarves: 78
Socks: 39
Afghans: 2 
Slippers: 13
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 4
Cotton WashClothes:47
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators etc aren't tabulated


All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Warming Homeless Heads with Donated Hats

 Thank you Kathy G for this wonderful donation of cute cute hats.  These hats are a variety of styles.  Take a look, pretty cables, ear flaps, and a scarfy type hat style.  All the hats are super soft, and warm.  Nicely done and many thanks Kathy G.

 Wanted to show you this one close up, this is one I called scarfy type.  Comes down a bit on the neck and has ties.  Isn't this cute!  Did you wing this Kathy, or do you have a pattern you can share?  Kathy's also donated several cowls and headbands.

Since February is a month to think about love, let's spread the love by finding new pairs of helping hands.  If everyone could find one friend, one co-worker, one blogger, one family member, and or one Facebook/Ravelry friend to bring into the fold think about how much more love we could spread by way of our warm knitted, crocheted, loomed, and or quilted items!  Talk us up.  Some folks might like to help us, but be unaware of what we do.  Please search someone out.  Who do you know?

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats:  77+10=87
Scarves: 78
Socks: 39
Afghans: 2 
Slippers: 13
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 4 
Cotton WashClothes:47
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators etc aren't tabulated

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Sharing the Love Through Donations

**because I don't have a picture of the donation to share with you, thought I'd leave you this cute cartoon I saw on facebook, hope it makes you smile**


Thank you Kathy V from West Virginia for your thoughtful donation.  I'm sorry to report folks, I don't seem to have a picture of her donation.  I'm unsure if I forgot to take a picture before sorting and bagging to get ready for distribution...OR her picture didn't make the transfer from my camera to the computer.  Kathy's donation was one of the large number I worked on after the special delivery from The Post Office after returning from my travels.   

My apologizes Kathy for not being able to show off your work.  She donated scarves, some personal care items, and a hat according to my notes.  Please keep up the good work.

Since February is a month to think about love, let's spread the love by finding new pairs of helping hands.  If everyone could find one friend, one co-worker, one blogger, one family member, and or one Facebook/Ravelry friend to bring into the fold think about how much more love we could spread by way of our warm knitted, crocheted, loomed, and or quilted items!  Talk us up.  Some folks might like to help us, but be unaware of what we do.  Please search someone out.  Who do you know?

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats:  76+1=77
Scarves: 73+5=78
Socks: 39
Afghans: 2 
Slippers: 13
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 4 
Cotton WashClothes:47
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators etc aren't tabulated



All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.