Crocheted Donations Help Ohio's Homeless

 Another pretty lacy feminine afghan from Patty C's crochet hook.  Please scroll back to yesterday's post to see her other pretty's.  These are motive style granny squares joined together to make a lovely afghan.  Patty's joined 16 squares, so it's a very nice sized square.  Luck be the lady tonight, an old Frank Sinatra song popped into my head as I was getting ready to type how lucky the lady who receives this beauty is.  Anyone as old as me know the song?

Yesterday I said Patty's been busy and I really wasn't teasing folks.  Hats galore and a couple of scarves round out her thoughtful donation.  Whew...

Thank you also Patty for taking the time to tag your hats with the size, it helps everyone.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 191+27=218
Scarves 73+2=75
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 63
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 115
Afghans: 10+1=11
Socks: 126
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 17
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

HAVE YOU READ ABOUT THE CONTEST?  HAVE YOU STARTED?  DETAILS HERE

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.

Donating Blue Crocheted Afghans

Look at this pretty aqua blue/ turquoise blue crocheted afghan!  Such a pretty color.  The open shell lacy pattern is very feminine and will put a smile on the face of the lucky lady who receives this.  Thank you Patty C for this thoughtful and pretty afghan.

Who doesn't like blue!  This long rectangular blue afghan will work better for the men folk in the group, and or teens.  Afghans are loved by everyone who receives them.  It's such a wonderful way to say congratulations and best of luck for a brighter future when our homeless families transition from shelter to permanent housing.  Thank you Patty you've put smiles on 2 families faces.

Please keep up the good work Patty!!

Folks, pop back in, Patty's been really busy...there's more to share!


2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 191
Scarves 73
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 63
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 115
Afghans: 8+2=10
Socks: 126
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 17
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

**Experimenting for a couple of days folks, have enabled the captcha to see what the difference is, even with it not on, some of our non blogger friends have been getting it anyway.  Sooooo, please let me know if you get a captcha when you leave a comment, and if you get words, letters, or pictures.  Thanks, will leave it on for 3 days to see if there's a differnce.**

HAVE YOU READ ABOUT THE CONTEST?  HAVE YOU STARTED?  DETAILS HERE

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.

Homeless Outreach Team, Oklahoma City

Read an article written by Joleen Chaney for News 9 in Oklahoma City about a pilot program.  About this time last year April of 2014 Sgt Clinton Garst and MSgt Paul Camacho started reaching out to homeless.  As they would approach homeless camps (usually as a result of a call in complaint), instead of arresting them for some minor infraction (which had been the normal procedure), they started trying to help them.  They directed the homeless to help.  In July of last year, things became official.  They are now part of a 3 member team called, the "Homeless Outreach Team".

It costs money when a homeless person is arrested and or taken to the hospital, so instead of money being spent that way..let me back up.  Homeless were fined for minor infractions, and when they couldn't pay the tickets/fines they were arrested thus costing the community jail time, and or hospital time for injuries and or illnesses from being homeless.  A better system is certainly to get them off the streets, so by getting them supplies, keeping them warm, and safe and getting them into shelters and housing is a win win situation.  It allows the police to then concentrate on crime and crime prevention, and gives homeless a leg up.  Since April of last year there have been 1500 contacts made and 200 placements made.  Authorities say there are 54 homeless camps around the city

As a tax payer, I would think locals would be very much in favor of this program.  As a person who cares about homelessness this gives me hope.  I hope programs like this catch on around the country.  Arresting them isn't working, in fact it makes matters worse.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 191
Scarves 73
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 63
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 115
Afghans: 8
Socks: 126
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 17
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

HAVE YOU READ ABOUT THE CONTEST?  HAVE YOU STARTED?  DETAILS HERE

The homeless on the left is Edwards, who said prior to this, he didn't like cops but now says they are a Godsend.  No doubt he's not the only one who feels that way.  I believe the officer is Sgt Garst.

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.

Donating Personal Care, Everyone Can Get Involved

I Collected some kitchen supplies, dish detergent, sponge, coffee, tea etc on a recent trip.  Thought all these would make a good donation to our friend Rae who feeds the homeless on Sat's.  Each coffee pack makes a full pot of coffee, which she'll be able to add to her prepared meals.

Likewise personal care items, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotions from the same trip.  Pretty amazing how much you can collect in one single vacation.  Remember folks when you travel be it personal or business this is an awesome opportunity to collect these little samples that are so needed by our homeless friends.  They take up no room in your luggage, so please bring them back with you and donate.  It's easy, it's free and it's something everyone can do.  You don't have to knit, to crochet, to loom, or quilt to be able to help.  Please tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members to start saving these items when they travel and pass them along to you so you can donate to a worthy cause.

Did you see yesterday's post?  Have you started?  What am I talking about?  The Contest of Course.  If you missed reading about it, please........scroll back and read all about it and tell your yarny friends.  This is a chance for us all to have some fun, to win some yarn...something we all love, and a way to celebrate a recent milestone here on Bridge and Beyond.  A short while ago we hit 1500 blog posts!  We're now working our way to 2,000.

Please note, for the purpose of the contest, I've set up a special email account.  That will help me not loose sight of something that might get mixed in my regular email account.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 191
Scarves 73
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 63
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 115
Afghans: 8
Socks: 126
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 17
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

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.

Lola and Yarn Bombing, Bridge and Beyond Style

Not to make light of the sad situation of Homelessness, but.....we knitters and crocheters can always use a little laugh to keep us going.  Spotted this the other day in my email from Lion Brand and thought it was cute and worth sharing.  Love the play on words about yarn bombing.  Oh Lola, she's such a joker!

Ok.........this gives me an idea.  We've not had a contest here in quite awhile.  How bout everyone actually do some yarnbombing...Lola style ( you knitting or crocheting, holding yarn) and email me your pictures.  We'll display them here on Bridge and Beyond.  Each person who participates gets an entry into the yarn bombing photo contest and a name will be drawn the winner.  Take your pictures through the end of the current month, May, and on June 1st we'll announce the first winner.

On June 2nd, I'll post all the pictures so folks can vote for the photo they like best for yarn bombing and that will be the 2nd winner which will be announced on June 10th!  Quick, go mark your calendars, I'm doing the same so I don't miss the dates I told you.

Rules for the Contest:

1. One entry per person (email me 1 photo of you yarnbombing).  My email for this contest is: SandyBridgeContest1@gmail.com
2. Entries can begin today May8th and run through May 31st
3. Winner will be announced here on the blog on June 1st
4. Once the winner is announced you must email me, at the special email addy listed above your snail addy and whether you're a knitter or crocheter or both.  Deadline June 4th.
5. If response hasn't been received by June 4th, then a 2nd drawing for the winner will be announced.
6. All entries will be posted (without names) on June 2nd for voting.
7. Voting for favorite yarn bombing photo runs from June 2nd through June 9th.
8. Winner for favorite photo announced on June 10th.
9. Winner of photo contest must email snail addy to me by June 14th, along with whether you're a knitter, crocheter, or both.
10. If no response by June 14th, the runner up will be announced.

The Prize...........Yarn of course!

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 191
Scarves 73
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 63
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 115
Afghans: 8
Socks: 126
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 17
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

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.

Puppets, Food for Thought?

Spotted this cute little Teddy Puppet the other day on a u-tube video.  I saved the picture and tried to write down the directions, the video was really very poorly done, so ...need to go and re-check.  But, let's think out loud.  People knit and crochet cute little stuff animals, though it's not something I've suggested we do in the past...young kids aren't a our primary focus here on Bridge and Beyond.  My first thought was these could be cute, not need to be stuffed, and I think something that could be a fairly quick project???  But, then I thought......puppets, I never purchased a puppet for any of my 3 nephews when they were young, or years later when my daughter was young, or eons later when my nephews had children...........so the question is, as cute as I think this is, would it be used?  Do kids play with puppets?  Would it be helpful for the first couple of nights say in family shelter?

Please hold nothing back folks in your comments...is this a good idea?  Is it a waste of time and yarn?  I also plan to chat with our contact person at Homeless Families Foundation to get her take.  Is this something a social worker might use to chat with a child who doesn't want to chat vs something a child would actually play with?

I try to make our focus here on Bridge and Beyond warm items, things that will help keep people alive,  make them less miserable either out in the elements or in a not so warm shelter...so this isn't that.  I don't want to go to far a field; but thought it worth us all discussing it.

Have you ever purchased a puppet for a child?  If so is it forgotten or played with?

Did you all notice...yesterday Bridge and Beyond hit 1500 blog posts!  What a milestone.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 191
Scarves 73
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 63
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 115
Afghans: 8
Socks: 126
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 17
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

**edited to say we've heard back from 1 of the two people I wanted to touch base with.  We will not be making these for Homeless Families Foundation, please see nice explanation below in the comments.  Checking on the other contact person and will update as I know something.

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.