Mission Statement

Operations for Bridge and Beyond will cease on Dec 31, 2021, last mailing date should be Dec 24th

GOAL FOR AFGHANS

Afghans
Goal: 30
Start: #24
Current: 26
0.8666%
START
END

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Rest in Peace Michael B. Williams, Jr.

This photo is courtesy of a high school friend of mine, thank you Deborah.  The church is 1st English Lutheran Church

The event, a sad one, the memorial service for Michael B. Williams, Jr.  Mr. Williams was found frozen behind an Eastside Columbus House, near a barrel that homeless use to try and keep warm.  A 911 call alerted police when someone found his body.  February 15th, was a Sunday, one of the coldest on record in the area.  in 1920 it was 12 on this date, but this February in 2015 it was colder, and a man died of exposure.  A homeless man, named Michael Williams.  He was 50, a man of faith who attended this church.  Last year he had found lodging for awhile through The YWCA Family Shelter.

All lives matter, no one should die of exposure; but homeless do.  There is not enough lodging to take care of everyone in need, and single men are the first to be turned away when shelters are full.  Some homeless don't want to go to shelters, some feel safer in the elements.  There are many different reasons why people become homeless, regardless of those reason; we need to remember they are people and their lives matter.  There were or are someone's son, daughter, uncle, father, mother, sister, cousin, aunt, or friend.  They are God's Children, just as we are.

Homelessness does have a face, and those faces are people with names.  Please keep Michael and those who's names you don't know in your thoughts and prayers, and do what you can to help.  If not here through Bridge and Beyond, perhaps in your own communities through local shelters and churches.

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.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Crocheted Donations and Personal Care Items Important Donation for Homeless

Thank you Barbara F for this thoughtful donation of warm goodies for our homeless here in Ohio.  Barbara has been busy, she tells me in her note that the colder it gets, the more she crochets.  Perfect!

Barbara has been busy crocheting scarves and hats.  She's also included much needed personal care items.  Folks, a couple of weeks ago I posted that one of the most overlook items for shelters in feminine hygiene products, so am pleased to say Barbara has included some in this donation.  I can't imagine what that's like, to be cold, to want a bath and be in need of personal hygiene products.

Keep up the good work Barbara!

2015 Donations:
Hats: 62+7=69
Scarves:20+2=22
Mittens: 21
Slippers: 20
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:23
Afghans:2
Socks: 47
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 11
Shawls: 1 (just realized it wasn't listed, don't think I missed any?)
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

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.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Donations from Sunny Florida Aid Ohio's Homeless


Look at this beautiful. colorful log cabin quilt style knitted afghan!  Our good friend Sandra R down in sunny Florida made this.  I've knitted and crocheted many different afghans over the years, but have never made a log cabin style (though that's one of the current ones I'm working)
Wanted to show it both directions so you could get a good look at it.  And like the tradition of quilting where families had pieces parts left from other garments they had made for the family, Sandra has used up her left over yarn from the many other knitted items she's donated to Bridge and Beyond over a period of time.  Seeing this Sandra has given me an extra nudge with the one I've started (and considered scraping).  This afghan is nice and large, soft and warm.  Truly a work of art some family will treasure.

Yippee Skippy, I'm clapping for mittens too!  Hats and mittens knitted and nicely tagged were also in her box of donations.

Many many thanks Sandra for your hard work, and your on going support of homeless people in need here in Ohio.  Please keep up the good work.

2015 Donations:
Hats: 59+3=62
Scarves:20
Mittens: 18+3=21
Slippers: 20
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:23
Afghans:1+1=2
Socks: 47
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 11
Shawls: 1 (just realized it wasn't listed, don't think I missed any?)
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

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.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Warming Homeless Feet with this Donation

Thank you Marjorie M for this thoughtful donation of crocheted cotton washcloths and socks.  It's awesome!  Cold, wet feet are very dangerous.  Having clean dry socks can improve health factors many time over for our cold homeless friends.  Even for those lucky enough to get a night here and there in a shelter, the ability to wash socks or dry wet socks is not a given; so having a supply of clean dry warm socks is greatly appreciated.

Love the soft cotton washcloths, they have many uses for those living out in the elements, those living in shelters, as well as those transitioning to permanent housing.  They are used as washcloths and as dishcloths.  Excellant!

Many thank Marjorie for your on going support.  Keep up the good work.

2015 Donations:
Hats: 59
Scarves:20
Mittens: 18
Slippers: 20
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:13+10=23
Afghans:1
Socks: 7+40=47
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 11
Shawls: 1 (just realized it wasn't listed, don't think I missed any?)
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above


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.

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Matching Hats and Scarves Warm the Homeless

Awesome scarves and hats, matching sets!  I LOVE these nice dark colors for our cold homeless in need Ruth A.  Many thanks for your generous donation.  You can see Ruth's been very busy crocheting.  The scarves are nice and warm, and large enough to wrap up in........always a plus and so very much needed.  These are great colors and work well for both men and women.  Additionally they are colors that go with, blend it with lots of other colors.

Well done Ruth, please keep up the good work.  The folks receiving these beautiful items will be thrilled.

2015 Donations:
Hats: 55+4=59
Scarves:14+6=20
Mittens: 18
Slippers: 20
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:13
Afghans:1
Socks: 7
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 11
Shawls: 1 (just realized it wasn't listed, don't think I missed any?)
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

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.

Friday, February 27, 2015

O H I O Buckeye Scarves for the Homeless

O H I O.........Thank you Sandie P in Louisiana for these lovely Buckeye Scarves.  Scarlet and Grey are our Buckeye colors, how perfect is that!  These scarves are crocheted and donated by our good and long time friend, Sandie P.  Sandie's been Bridge and Beyond since the beginning and her long time support is so very much appreciated.    These scarves are nice and fluffy, super warm, and both wide and long enough to truly give someone the ability to wrap up to help keep warm.

The temps have been frigid these past couple of weeks, breaking record lows for this time of the year.  We considered it a real plus the other day when we warmed up to 8 above, as it started out 12- without considering the wind chill.  Believe the weather folks that day the wind chill made it about 34-. Folks, those conditions are truly brutal and very dangerous.  I've recently read about deaths of the homeless as a result.  I'm in the process of putting together the information I can find on the sad subject.  Please keep checking in daily.  We need your support.

2015 Donations:
Hats: 55
Scarves:12+2=14
Mittens: 18
Slippers: 20
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:13
Afghans:1
Socks: 7
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 11
Shawls: 1 (just realized it wasn't listed, don't think I missed any?)
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

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.

Where are You and Your Yarn From?

I'm trying to identify where everyone is from, partially for fun. Take a look at the map. Also, believe it will aid me in cases where we have several people with the same name. Please look at the lists of bloggers and non bloggers and see if I have the state you hail from. If not, please leave a comment and let me know.

Additionally, we've had help from Scotland, England, Germany Puerto Rico, Canada, and France! They don't appear on the map, but their help is still greatly appreciated.

Where The People Who Donate Come From, is your state represented?