The Rainy Cold Season, Special Donations

The months of March and April in Central Ohio.......can be almost anything with regard to weather.  What it isn't is predictable.  We can have freezing rain, sleet, snow, rain, or sunshine.  The weather can change 40 degrees from one day to the next.  So, even on a day when it might be pretty and sunny and 55-60 ish during the day, it can be extremely windy.  A rain poncho provides a great wind break in those situations.  Likewise it might be 40 and rainy all day and all night and these rain poncho's are again needed and appreciated.

Our good friend and long time supporter Anne Marie from New York donated 200 of these awesome poncho's.  This is only a fraction of them in the picture.  Didn't un-box them all as I delivered 3/4th of them the very next day to our friend Rae who prepares meals and feeds those in the elements on Saturday mornings.

I would imagine the poncho's might come in hand covering ones belongings also when out in the elements.  Additionally, the shelters always appreciate these donations.  You may not be aware, homeless who get nights here and there in shelters often still spend the bulk of their day outside until the magic hour they're permitted to come inside.  This isn't necessarily slam folks on shelters either, many operate with a volunteer base and therefore often don't have the ability to operate any differently with regard to the hours they permit folks inside.

As always, many thanks AnnaMarie and please keep up the good work.

**This is the accounting I listed on rain poncho's when we closed out the numbers for 2015

Rain Poncho's is another item probably used all year long, like socks.  Obviously it too is store bought and not handmade.  In 2013 we donated 213, in 2014 there were 61 (152 less) and in 2015 we had 105 which is 44 MORE than the previous year and 108 less than 2013.  Rain poncho's can be purchased almost anywhere.  We donate the light weight ones that are folded in a small package which makes then very portable for the folks in need.  So, we've now not only met our goal of matching last years number, we've passed it.  YIPPEE, and even better.........we've broken our all time record for the number of this item donated.  Way to go!  That gives us now the ability to concentrate on some of the other items.

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   297
Scarves:  141
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:  105 -200 = +95
Cotton Washcloths:  368
Afghans:   15
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.

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.

Dusty Rose Afghan Ready for Donation

Dusty Rose as it was designed with both squares and rectangles, both knitted and crocheted squares from many pairs of helping hands looked like this.

When last you saw Dusty Rose it was at this stage.  It's growing as it's edged and joined.  More adjustments were needed then I initially thought, as some of the squares/rectangles had more stretch to them.

And here it is finished.  I debated about an edge and decided just basic straight single crochet rows, and though it needed something to make it pop a bit, so went with the pink for the last 2 rows instead of staying with dusty mauve color.  A few alterations made on placement, one wasn't intentional, as I carried it to the chair to work on it, joined one section the opposite direction I wanted...didn't realize it until other pieces were added.....soooooooooo it's slightly different.

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   297
Scarves:  141
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:  105
Cotton Washcloths:  368
Afghans:   16 -1= 15
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.

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.

Knitted Donations from Texas Help Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Nancie D and Patty W from Texas, our newest pairs of helping hands for this wonderful donation of knitted scarves.  What a nice variety of colors and sizes.  I particularly like the green one on the left side of the picture (the darker green).  Please click to enlarge folks to see the details.  The color is perfect and works for a man or woman, and the texture is very interesting.  Hey ladies, can you tell us what pattern or stitch you used to make this one?

I love how the ladies teamed up and sent their donations together!

Hope to see you hear again soon and often on Bridge and Beyond.  Do keep up the good work, and again welcome!

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.

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   298 -1 =297
Scarves:  150 -9 =141
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:  105
Cotton Washcloths:  368
Afghans:   16
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.

Knitted Hats with Ear Flaps for Ohio's Homeless

Thank you fellow Ohioan, Susan H for this awesome donation of knitted hats/helmets.  Please click folks to see the details in this hat design....they are nice and think and have earflaps!  Truly a wonderful design for keeping those in the elements warm.  Susan, can you share the pattern you used for this with the group?

Please keep up the good work.

**Still looking for a Jane B from Minnesota (without contact, no further donations will be accepted)

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   308 -10 = 298
Scarves:  150
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:  105
Cotton Washcloths:  368
Afghans:   16
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.

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.

Knitted Cotton Washcloths Always Helpful for Homeless

Thank you Christine D, fellow Ohioan for this thoughtful donation of knitted washcloths.  I LOVE the red-green mix.  Not sure I've seen that cotton before.  It's dark enough for the men folk!  Christine has also included a good supply of personal care items.  Cotton washcloths and personal care items are truly used all year long, doesn't matter what the weather is they are needed and appreciated by both those living in the elements, and those living in shelters.

Please keep up the good work Christine.  Special thanks for delivering them to my door.

**Still looking for a Jane B from Minnesota (without contact, no further donations will be accepted)

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   308
Scarves:  150
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:  105
Cotton Washcloths:  411 -43 =368
Afghans:   16
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.

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.

Two Crocheted Afghans from New York Help Ohio's Homeless

 Thank you Annemarie from New York for these beautiful and colorful crocheted afghans.  Folks, please click to enlarge.  This particular afghan is truly made like a quilt.  Notice the corners of each square and how with the changing color it would be like tying the knots in the corners of a quilt.  Really nicely done.  This bright and cheery afghan will surely put a smile on the lucky recipeants face.

And...the always popular ripple in nice spring colors.  Both afghans are soft, warm, pretty and are sized nicely for a family to enjoy snuggling in.

As always Annemarie, we appreciate your long term and on going support of Bridge and Beyond and Ohio's Homeless.  Please keep up the good work!

**Still looking for a Jane B from Minnesota

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   308
Scarves:  150
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:  105
Cotton Washcloths:  411
Afghans:   18 -2 = 16
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.

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.