Bridge and Beyond serves people here in Central Ohio, primarily Franklin County; but the problem of cold, hungry homeless people in need is one that reaches every state.  Perhaps it's less cold in some areas, perhaps it's easier to live on the street in more temperate climates; but still it's an issue.

Our voices need to be heard.

Saw this on Facebook and wanted to share.  Perhaps we have a duty folks to write letters, sign petitions, make phone calls to let our voices be heard that arresting kind caring people, like this 90 year old man and minsters who are in fact doing good is WRONG! Breaking the law because you're feeding hungry people in need means the law needs to be changed.   Is this going on in your city?  Let your voices be heard, talk about these injustices.

Helping Children in Need

Pretty yellow daffodils from the yard, it only it were that time of year again and we had the rest of spring and summer ahead of us, instead of cold, wet, fall upon us with winter looming it's dark ugly head so near.  With each passing year I dread more and more to see fall come and begin counting the days til Spring.  And of course it is during this time, we think more about those living in the elments, those without a roof over their heads, those less fortunate then we are.  

It becomes increasingly more important that we knit, crochet, loom and donate to those who need us.  Men, Women, and Children on the streets, in the shelters, some barely above the streets and shelters.  Our hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, socks and personal care items do make a difference.

For children, it helps them get through the day at school.  It helps them be able to go outside with the friends at recess, to not appear so different.

We distribute our hand made items to several schools in the area near the Bridge Folks and several shelters with the help of Lynn and her husband.  Highland Elementary School is one of those we've donated to.  This is a lovely response from the school for recent donation I wanted to share with you all.........and to add my thanks to hers for all you all do. (this is a copy and paste of her email)

Good Afternoon, Ms. Holladay,

I apologize for not sending this earlier.  I personally want to thank you and extend my appreciation for your wonderful gifts.  I'm sure that the children will love them.  Highland, children has such a great need and these items couldn't have come at a better time, being that the weather is changing so swiftly.  

Once. again, I thank you for your wonderfully, hand-crafted gifts, that was created with love, for our children.

Ms. Lynn Graves

Secretary, 

Highland Elementary School

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.

This donation has a story behind it folks.  What you see are knitted scarves in a variety of sizes and colors.......let me elaborate.  This donation was sent by a very proactive young lady named Laruen S.  She is a Girl Scout currently in the 9th grade.  When she was in the 8th grade she started a knitting club at school, where 10 friends would meet during lunch on Monday's and Wednesday.  She taught her friends how to knit.  Earning a Silver Award Badge in the Girl Scouts involved at least 50 hours of work, but not just volunteerism where one day you might shovel someone walk, and the next day read to someone.  You identify a problem, and a sustainable way to fix the problem and then put in your 50 hours of service.

So, Lauren identified the need for supplies for homeless people, specifically women, taught her friends to knit, knitted and produced scarves.  She's donated scarves to multiple organizations including one for battered women.  She and her friends: Audrey B, Laura N, Krista N, Sarah M, Bree S, Allison Y, Danielle B, Julia C, and Victoria Q, have knitted and donated scarves.  But, they've done far more then that...they've put others before self.  They've learned of varying needs around the country AND they've chosen to help..........they have chosen to make a difference.

Congratulations ladies, we here on Bridge and Beyond applaud your initiative and hope you'll continue your proactive stance on issues not always pleasant to address.

Please keep up the good work.
2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 728
Scarves: 360+9=369
Socks: 187
Afghans: 18
Slippers: 86
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:79
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 309
Misc. (Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, cowls/mobius,  and Shrugs etc.) aren't tabulated.
Personal Care Items: Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, cream, hand warmers, lipbalm, floss, soap, shaving cream, razors 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.

Special Delivery for the Homeless

 Thank you Nikki S for this cute patch work ghan of many colors.  This is sized nicely for the kiddo's and in bright cherry colors they'll enjoy as well.  Picture is a bit dark folks, sorry......we were having one of those "gray Ohio" days....even with every light on in the basement.  Will get this laundered and blocked.  It's sure to put a smile on the face of the child who receives it.  Each square has interesting and different stitches.  Click to enlarge folks and take a look.

Scarves to warm up those in need, a pair of slippers...dark blue a bit hard to see without enlarging, and a bright green cowl.  Lots of goodies here Nikki, thanks for taking time to make a special delivery to me at work.  Please keep up the good work.

Stay tuned folks, I'll be posting more from Nikki in the coming days.  (wanting to have fewer items in each picture so you all can better see all the wonderful and thoughtful donations, and spreading the pictures out to aid in having a blog post daily........which if you've been reading here lately you know helps the SEO, which in turns helps us attrack more helping hands.........which means we can help more folks in need.  

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 728
Scarves: 357+3=360
Socks: 187
Afghans: 17+1=18
Slippers: 85+1=86
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:79
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 309
Misc. (Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, cowls/mobius,  and Shrugs etc.) aren't tabulated.
Personal Care Items: Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, cream, hand warmers, lipbalm, floss, soap, shaving cream, razors 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.

Thank You, 1500th Blog Post

1500

Blowing up our logo, sorry it makes it a bit blurry folks; but it seems appropriate to celebrate this ....the 1500 blog post from Bridge and Beyond, where we've talked about, shown pictures of, shared patterns of, and discussed the need of Hats, Scarves, and Mittens.......and more.  

Fairy Princess, Beth was one of our earliest pairs of helping hands here on Bridge and Beyond.  She's the one that made our logo.  She and I became acquainted through blogging many years ago and while she no longer participates here on Bridge and Beyond, I've never felt the need to select a new logo.  Thought this served us well these past 5-6 years.

Thank you Beth.

And this beautiful pink Lilly from my back yard is my way of saying thank you to you all, for knitting, for crocheting, for mailing, for delivering your donations to me through the years for Bridge and Beyond.  Loved this Lilly, but sadly so did the squirrels.  They kept digging it up and I kept replanting it.  

Below is a Thank You from Cindy Leonard, the Principal from West Broad Street Elementary School, one of the schools our friend, MaryLynn (LYnn) distributes our goodies too.  This school is very much in the area where our Bridge folk live in the elements, is also near Homeless Families Foundation whom we donate to, as well Holy Family Soup Kitchen .  Wanted to pass along her Thanks to you all whom make this possible.

Dear Ms. Holladay,

We would like to thank you and your organization for the donation of hats, gloves and scarves for our students.  We appreciate your generosity and dedication to helping the less fortunate.  Please continue to keep us in mind in the future.

Sincerely,

Cindy Leonard

West Broad Elem.

When communicating with Cindy I asked a couple of questions in order to tell you a bit more about this school we've donated to.  They have 520 students from Pre k-5th and about 95% of them are on The Free Lunch Program.  95% of one school (494 students), have need.  That's alot of need folks, alot of cold hungry kids.  This isn't the first time we've donated to this school, though the first for this year.  Just know, when you donate....YOU truly do fill a need.

Bless You All

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.

Crocheting in New York to Warm Ohio's Homeless and Others in Need

 Another wonderful donation from our good friend and long time supporter, AnneMarie from New York.  As you can see, she's been very busy crocheting hats, cotton washcloths, scarves, mittens and wrist warmers.  Beautiful variety of colors in her cotton washcloths, and wonderful dark colors in her hats.  She's also included socks, and personal care items, 

including those hand warmers which are huge bonus as the weather has gotten pretty cold and damp at night.  We've had frost, sleet, and nights barely above freezing already.  It's going to be long colder then normal winter according to all the weather men and Farmers Almanac.  

Special thanks AnneMarie for tagging your hats, mittens and writs warmers with size, that saves everyone so much time both here and at the various shelters, as well as those in need.  

Remember you can always click on pictures to see more detail and see items larger, please take a minute to do that to check out the royal blue and gray hats above with cables.  These hats have lots of details and wonderful texture, plus.........the cable somehow make them thicker and therefore I think warmer.  I LOVE the look and feel of these hats.  

As always keep up the good work, AnneMarie.

**Have you noticed how close we are folks to reaching 1500 blog posts here on Bridge and Beyond?**

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats:721+7=728
Scarves: 356+1=357
Socks: 171+16=187
Afghans: 17
Slippers: 85
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:78+1=79
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 3+1=4
Cotton Washcloths: 299+10=309
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, cowls/mobius,  and Shrugs etc. 13

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.