People Pulling Together Truly Can Accomplish GREAT Things!

We've hit the end of another month here on at Bridge and Beyond. I thought it appropriate to show you all what you've accomplished. Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen. Anyone and Everyone who things they can't help, who thinks doing something of value is up to someone else needs to see this. PLEASE encourage others to read this.

Today is April 30th, the last day of our April Showers Project. Tomorrow is May 1, the beginning of our Comment Contest.

This blog started on December 1st, 2008 and over time what we've collected has changed a bit which plays into the numbers. Have a look.

HATS, 368 +592+274=1,234 crocheted, knitted, and loomed hats have been donated by big hearted people like yourselves. These hats have been lots of different colors, lots of different sizes, and lots of different designs. Each of these hats has been given to someone in need. Some to men and women living outside in the cold elements of Central Ohio; truly homeless people who otherwise might not have stayed alive through the long bitter months. Some have been given to mothers and children being treated at 2 free clinics. These folks may have a roof over their heads; but many don't have heat and are barely a step above being homeless. Some have been given to mothers and children living in temporary housing who were abused and or homeless. Some to families obtaining a hot meal from Holy Family as they wait in line out in the cold. Some have been given to school children who come to school despite not being properly clothed against the elements. 1,234 hats made by your loving hands from Dec 1st, 2008 til today, April 30th, 2011.

SCARVES, 147, 340, 171=658. These scarves like the above hats have been knitted and crocheted and distributed to the same groups so desperately in need. Scarves can be wrapped around necks, across faces and mouths, put on top of hats for added protection. Scarves can help supplement a light weight jacket.

MITTENS, 66+151 +66=283 pairs of warmer hands.

SOCKS, 79+101+ 74= 254. Socks serve many purposes. Sometimes people need to change to a clean dry pair because their feet are wet and cold. Sometimes they need to add a 2nd pair to try to get a little additional warmth. Socks are needed 12 months a year, even during the warmer months for those folks who are homeless.

SLIPPERS: 34+37=71. Slippers like socks can help warm cold feet and are so very much appreciated by men spending a night in the shelter when perhaps their socks can be laid out to dry. They're needed by women and children living in temporary housing and provide comfort for all with little heat in the homes.

Afghans (ghans) 10+29=39. Afghans made from squares you've donated, as well as full afghans have been provided to Faith Mission for Mothers and Children who often have very little. Afghans can be used for comfort, and hope as well as needed warmth in temporary housing whether used on beds at night or to ward off drafts when thermostats are so low they're not keeping warm. Afghans have also been donated to Pine Street Inn, another group that serves to protect the homeless and abused so desperately in need.

SQUARES, 238+214=452 knitted and crocheted squares have been donated in order to make afghans for the those folks listed above.

PONCHOS 43. Ponchos don't replace a roof over someone's head, but they do help protect one against the cold wet rain. If people are able to stay dry, they will be more comfortable, more warm; and that's very important in trying to stay well.

You may be ONE person, but you can and do make a difference, the proof surely is listed above.

And since we're celebrating because of a number, the milestone of reaching 400 posts (this is now post #405), I'll through out some other numbers you might find fun to know. We have 45 people who've donated, and or helped who blog, or have a membership on Ravelry or Crochetville, or The Hive. Additionally we have 91 people who've donated who've found us on the net who're are not part of those above groups. Thus far we have identified that donations have come from 29 states which is 58% of the country...see map at the bottom of the blog.

This blog's received several awards which make me happy, hope you all realize you're a part of these. The top 100 crochet and knitting blogs, Humanitarian Award, Honest Scrap and Humane Award. You can click on any of these in the side bars.

Since we've started highlighting a specific item each month we've had The Rainbow Project, Give a Square, Toasty Tootsies, Sock it to Me, and April Showers. Stay tuned as I'll be announcing the May highlighted item next.

If you notice the tabs across the top of the blog you can click to get lots of questions answers with The Things you should know before you donate section, a flyer you can print to distribute, and patterns you can use.

AND starting tomorrow you can start commenting away to win a fun $40.00 shopping spree at JoAnn's thanks to a special secret donator. Click HERE for all the details.

Yes, people pulling together can truly accomplish great things. Thank you!

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

PONCHO's for the Homeless

PONCHO's. Awesome ponchos. psmflowerlady made a lovely comment where she indicated she would be spending part of the money she would otherwise have spent on sweets for Easter to buy Poncho's. Look at this wonder group of poncho's. Thank you Thank You Tammy! 27 Poncho's in all. This will be a huge hit.

This is April 29, and we've one day left in our April Showers project. That's not to say if you're able to send poncho's later we won't need or want them. As with our hats, scarves, mittens, etc we will continue to collect all items through out the year; but like to highlight a particular need each month. I'm very pleased with the 43 poncho's we've collected to date and Thank everyone who participated.

**Have you read about our $40.00 shopping spree at JoAnn's? If not...please do, so you too can have an opportunity to win May's Comment Contest and enjoy the $40.00 shopping spree at JoAnn's.

2011
Scarves 171
Hats 274
Mittens (gloves) 66
Socks 68+6=74
Slippers 37
Ghans 29 (2 went to Pine Street Earlier)
Squares 214
Sweaters 5
Ponchos 16=27=43

**Please check back on May 1 to see what May's project will be.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

Socks are always a hit for the Homeless

Always happy to receive more socks. The Bridge folks really enjoy getting new socks as do the men at the shelter. Many thanks psmflowerlady on RAV (Tammy) for your thoughtful donation. Dry feet makes such a difference in someone's comfort.

**Two More Days left for April Showers, details in the sidebar**

****Please read about the details of the Comment Contest, and stake your claim on the $40.00 shopping spree at JoAnn's. What crafter wouldn't be thrilled with that as the winning gift, click in the sidebar or on the words Comment Contest.


2011
Scarves 171
Hats 274
Mittens (gloves) 66
Socks 68+6=74
Slippers 37
Ghans 29 (2 went to Pine Street Earlier)
Squares 214
Sweaters 5
Ponchos 16

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

New Helping Hands, Afghans for Faith Mission

Doesn't this afghan look like a big Easter Egg! Lovely Spring Colors. This log cabin style afghan was crocheted by Joanie B in Ohio. Joanie is our newest pair of helping hands. Welcome Joanie, we're thrilled to have you join us and hope to see you around The Bridge often. Joanie is a friend of our friend Cindy whom I know you'll remember when I say Cindy and Rebeccah...the mother daughter team! Thank You Joanie for joining us, and Thank You Cindy for spreading the word and recruiting another pair of helping hands.
Another awesome afghan from our newest friend Joanie. Again many thanks! These ghans will be well received by those in need at Faith Mission.

**3 More Days for April Showers** Details in the sidebar.

***Yesterday the announcement regarding our month long celebration of our milestone of 400 posts was posted. Along with the details of the blog comment contest you don't want to miss! PLEASE scroll back to read all about it.***

2011
Scarves 171
Hats 274
Mittens (gloves) 66
Socks 68
Slippers 37
Ghans 27+2=29 (2 went to Pine Street Earlier)
Squares 214
Sweaters 5
Ponchos 16

**If anyone is trying to post a comment and been unable to, please email me at sandycrochet@gmail.com. Over the last 2 days 2 people have indicated they had trouble. One of those has since been able to, so assume it was a weird thing. The 2nd one, well; not sure. Just don't someone not to be able to join in on the fun for the upcoming comment contest. Have had various people checking/testing this with a variety of computers, computer systems, and browsers and they report all is fine.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

Celebrating with a Comment Contest

Yesterday we hit a special milestone of 400 blog posts here at Bridge and Beyond. Through the generosity of a special secret donor I'm happy to tell you how YOU can win this $40.00 JoAnn Gift Card. What can one do with a gift card from JoAnn? Wow, the skies the limit. If you knit or crochet or loom, you can buy yarn, books, or patterns. If you scrapbook you can buy special papers, decorations and other materials. If you paint, make jewelry, flower arrangements, do woodworking, sew, felt you'll love spending time picking out wonderful items for your craft of choice. I'm sure I've left something out. I know I can spend hours going up and down the rows looking, thinking, and planning what to make at JoAnn's, so know whomever wins the contest will have fun making their selections.

Now, how can you win? For the month of May, visit and comment. You heard right, visit and comment. You're only limited by how many blog posts are here, which as you know is 400. You can comment once per post starting on May 1. So, even if you've already posted a comment on a particular post, you can comment again on that particular post....only once per post from May 1 through May 31st. Post a comment here to say you're in, then come back and go to town. For every 2 posts your name is added to the hopper again, so the more you comment the more you increase your chances. The winner will be pulled from a hat, or maybe by random.org. The latter is quicker; but there's something fun about the hat....so, we'll see. Example, add a comment here that's your first chance, add 2 more comments on 2 other blog posts and that's another chance.

My blog settings are such that I am notified via email for every comment, even on older posts; so your comment won't be missed.

You might be wondering how to find your way back to old posts? Several methods exists. Firstly, you could start with the current blog post and simply go backward. Or, you can click on the blog titles in the recent blog post area where I've altered it to show 25 titles. You might also click on each of the 3 posts listed under each blog post where the thumbnails exist and say you might also enjoy, which if you look at what's showing when you scroll through just the first page will get you to 18 posts.

This will be fun to celebrate our milestone, and help the blog's placement with visits and comments; making it more visible to those looking to find a charity to knit or crochet for. Additionally, everyone likes to receive comments on their hard work, it encourages them to make more. So enjoy yourself, make others feel good about their donations, help the blog, AND improve your changes to win a fun filled shopping spree at JoAnn's.

Feel free to spread the word on your own blogs, in your knitting or crochet groups, on RAV, Facebook, or Twitter.

2011
Scarves 171
Hats 274
Mittens (gloves) 66
Socks 68
Slippers 37
Ghans 25+2=27 (2 went to Pine Street Earlier)
Squares 214
Sweaters 5
Ponchos 16

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

Colorful Stripes to Warm those in Need

This bright, cheery, and colorful crocheted afghan comes from our friend, our young friend Rebeccah. I love how bold and bright it is.
Likewise, this 2nd ghan she also crocheted and donated for our folks in need at Faith Mission. Sorry this 2nd picture is a bit blurry. You're not seeing double, there are 2 ghans and their not the same. The are both bright and cheery and stripes, but they are different.

Thank you Rebeccah for your ongoing support and thoughtful donation. I know the 2 people who receive these are going to be thrilled, and warmed both physically and emotionally.

**Drum roll please folks, this is blog post #400!** Don't forget to check in tomorrow for the special post announcing our special celebratory contest. You really don't want to miss the details.

***5 more days for our special April Showers Project, you do still have time to get your poncho's in the mail***

Though the calendar tells us all Spring is here, the weather has only started to warm up, so the need to warm our homeless still exists. Please keep your hooks and needles moving along. Hats, scarves, mittens, and slippers are still needed and appreciated. Thanks for all you do for others so selfishly.

2011
Scarves 171
Hats 274
Mittens (gloves) 66
Socks 68
Slippers 37
Ghans 25+2=27 (2 went to Pine Street Earlier)
Squares 214
Sweaters 5
Ponchos 16

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!