Warm Up America, Aids Homelessness and Others

Warm Up American while not a grass roots organization like Bridge and Beyond, or the StreetKnit that I blogged about day before yesterday; but it probably began as one back in the early 1990's.  It was started by a Knit Shop Owner, Evie Rose.  She has since passed, in 2012; but the large organization with executive staffing continues.

Most knitters and crocheters probably know they accept 7 x 9 inch rectangles and make afghans from them.  But, they also accept hats and scarves.  

Donations can be mailed to:

Warm Up America

3740 N. Josey Ln.

Suite #126

Carrollton, TX  75007

Only washable fibers should be used in your donations.  Items can be knitted or crocheted.  

If you're making the rectangles they are assembled in 4 sizes:

Baby Blankets   uses 20 rectangles and measures 35 x 46

Lap Ghans         uses 25 rectangles and measures 35 x 45

Child Size          uses 36 rectangles and measures 42 x 54

Adult                 uses 49 rectangles and measures 49 x 63

You do not need to make enough for one blanket, but should you want to, thought the above information would be helpful.  If however, you would like to make a blanket, you can make them anysize.  They do not need to be made or rectangles joined together.  Likewise, hats and scarves can be anysize.  They can be for children, teens, or adults.

There are a 5013C Charity and also accept monetary donations on their webpage, CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK

They have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Facebook group is a bit of community and have a few different things they do.  For example they also use granny squares in the making of some of their afghans.  CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK

You can also make and donate locally and notify Warm Up America of doing so, they then add your donation to their totals.

Donations support many groups in need, not just Homelessness:

Homeless Shelters

Women's Shelters (for Battered Women)

Nursing Homes

VA Homes

Aids Facility

American Red Cross Chapters

Childrens Hospitals

Churches

Day Care Centers

Groups in need of donations put in request to Warm Up America and they are filled on a first come first serve basis

I will continue to provide some information about charities that work for you, as Bridge and Beyond comes to a close.  

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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 Leila for Helping the Homeless

Thank you Leila G for this nice donation of crocheted scarves.  The picture may be a bit funky, cause there was actually sunlight coming through the windows...something that doesn't happen all that often here in Central Ohio this time of the year.  She's included a mix of solids and sections of color, so a nice mix of styles.  Scarves are such a good way to increase one's warmth.  I often wear one inside.  Having the neck warm and the chest really makes a difference.

This donation of 8 scarves put's us at 75% of our goal for scarves.  Nice!!

If you've missed reading the announcement for Bridge and Beyond, PLEASE CLICK HERE

If you've missed the stats for our 12 years of operation (not including the current year of 2021, our 13th year), PLEASE CLICK HERE

If you're local and need to know where you can personally deliver your donations, (Homeless Families Foundation, and Faith Mission), PLEASE CLICK HERE

If you missed reading about a possible charity to support that benefits the homeless, StreetKnits, PLEASE CLICK HERE

AND, be sure and keep checking in as I will continue to update our stats and share pictures of our donations, as well as provide information on other charities you may wish to support with your knitting and crocheting.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.

Charity in Oklahoma Needs Knitters and Crocheters

Streetknits2013

Streetknits2013 is a charity formed to benefit Homeless People, as well educate the communality about homelessness.  Silke Feltz formed the group in 2013 and is currently operating in Norman, Oklahoma.  She has an outreach program to teach knitting and teach about homelessness, as well as collect and donate handmade Blankets (Afghans, lapghans), Hats, Gloves and Mittens, Scarves, and Socks (hand knit, not store bought).

The link above takes you to her Facebook Community Page where she documents pictures of the various donations, as well as groups knitting on campus.  Since she also teaches knitting, she accepts donations of yarn and needles as well; and has set up means for monetary donations.  The link to her webpage is HERE.

The items are donated to "Food and Shelter".  This shelter serves men, women, and families.  They are located at 201 Reed Avenue, Norman, OK  73071

Donations mailed to Silke Feltz should include a note with your name and email address, just as you did for me.  Any additional questions regarding her charity should be directed to: streetknits2013@gmail.com.  When you're ready to mail a donation contact her for her mailing address.

PLEASE when communicating with her, or when sending donations include a note indicating you're a former member of Bridge and Beyond and heard of her through me, Sandy Holladay.

Google tells me average temps in Norman, OK this time of the year are 40-63.

Dec  is 30-51

Jan   is 28-51

Feb   is 32-51

So, you can see the need for warm items to aid the homeless is real.

Yesterday I posted stats for 12 years of our existence here on Bridge and Beyond (not counting the current year), and addresses and information regarding two of the shelters we supplied here locally, Homeless Families Foundation, and Faith Mission.  If you're local you can drop off at either of those shelters.  Please scroll back to read the information.  AND please continue to return and read daily as I will continue to post current donations and stats, as well as provide more information about other charities you may wish to support when Bridge and Beyond stops operations on Dec 31, 2021.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.

Bridge and Beyond Donations Totals for 12 Years!

I' ve compiled the numbers for 12 years of donations.  Starting with the one month in 2008 through the end of last year, 2020.  

You can see totals for each item for each year and then a subtotal excluding what we've done so far this year.  Notice the yellow blocks, those are the best years for each item.

Thought you'd like to see this all laid out.  This will of course be updated to include our final numbers for this last year, 2021 and then grand totals.

Things not listed with stats are personal care items, poncho's and other misc. items.

This has been a labor of love for me, and I hope you all feel the same.  I'm happy with how much we've accomplished and that we kept Bridge and Beyond going for what will be 13 years when we close up shop next month, Dec 31st 2021.

For those local you can delivery your donations to Homeless Families Foundations at 33 North Grubb Street, Columbus, Ohio  43215.  I would suggest calling ahead 614-461-9247, as their hours may continue to change with regard to Covid.  Currently on their webpage they indicate drop offs can happen on Monday from 10 am to 1 pm.  This is what I've stuck with throughout this pandemic.

Additionally, donations can be delivered to Faith Mission, there mailing address is 245 N. Grant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio  43215, 614-224-6617.  However, deliveries should be made at the back loading dock 217 N. Grant.  Again, I would suggest calling before you plan to make a delivery. 

These are two shelters we've supplied throughout our 13 years.

I am checking into charities for Homeless that accept knitted and crocheted donations.  Currently have communication pending with one in Oklahoma and one in Michigan.

If you want to keep your donations local, please call your nearest shelter or church in your area.  A general google search appears to show listings of shelters in each state.

Please continue to check in, as I will continue to show what donations we're still getting; as well as supply you with possible charities you might like to become involved.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.

Flowers to Say Thank You, and Slippers Make Warm Feet

Sharing some flowers with you all for all your hard work with knitting, crocheting, looming and donating throughout the 13 years Bridge and Beyond has been in existence.  This pink Lilly was my favorite.  It always had a wonderful aroma.  But, the squirrels and or chipmunks apparently really like it too, and kept digging it up.  I replanted it too many times to count and each subsequent year the flower got lighter in color and lost it's aroma.  I finally gave up and stopped replanting it, so this picture is from about 10 years ago.

These day lillies were starts from my parents yard that I enjoyed for a good many years and then they got so tall and hung over you couldn't walk on the walk, so I took them out and replanted the area.

This is one of the replants, but it didn't make it to year two.

But these Asters did, along with lots of Phlox.

As the weather is turning cold, leaves are falling; there really are no more flowers in the yards to enjoy, so hopefully these pictures made you smile.

2010 was the first year we started collecting and donating slippers.

2010   34

2011   128

2012   153

2013   150

2014   121

2015   105

2016   91

2017   53

2018   13

2019   27

2020   4

2021   52....as of Nov 11th

Total 931 pairs of warm, dry feet...........wonderful work folks, truly.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.

Knitting Aids Homeless Here at Bridge and Beyond

Thank you Pat C for this awesome donation of knitted goodies!  Pat has been very busy indeed.  Look at the nice collection of corner to corner knitted cotton washcloths...in the always famous Grandma's favorite pattern.  Lots of different colors.  

And hats, mittens and a scarf.  Please click to enlarge the picture so you can see the details.  The hats are a variety of sizes and colors, and styles.  Something for everyone.  

But.............. scroll down please

More hats and mittens.  Again a wide range of styles, colors, and sizes.  All the hats and mittens are nicely tagged with size.  Special thank you.  The hats that look long and skinny are super stretchy and so will fit a variety of head sizes.  Be sure and notice the gray in top right corner with a beautiful cable.  So well done.

Drum roll, this donation puts us over 100% of our goal for hats!!  Woot Woot!!  That's exciting, and look how we're doing on the mitten goal...this donation puts us slightly over 92%.  You know how excited I get when we get mittens.  

Folks I've been posting information about Bridge and Beyond since Nov 1st when the announcement was made about operations ceasing for Bridge and Beyond come Dec 31st of the year.  If you've missed reading those post, please scroll back to Nov 1 nd come forward.

We started small and grew.  And with our growth we were able to help more people in more shelters.  Over our 13 years we've accomplished quite a bit for a true grass roots charity with everyone pulling together.  Many thanks to you all.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.