THANK YOU

 Enjoy this pretty picture I took in Aruba as you read these sweet Thank You's for all your hard work!

Folks, first I'd like to start out by thanking our good friend, and long time supporter Annemarie from New York.  One night when she had insomnia she took the time to go back through my blog posts here and found some math discrepancies.  She's helped me before by catching posts where I missed adding things and I really appreciate it.  Sometimes I post early in the morning before work, or late at night after work.  Tired eyes sometimes have issues.  She found 5 posts (March 3rd and 11th, May 6th, Aug 21st, and Oct 26th), that needed corrections.  I've made changes on those dates; but rather then edit ever single post from March 3 forward I'll make the adjustments here to our numbers.

Using yesterdays totals I'm showing the adjustments here:

Donations: 2012 

Hats 955+(1 from 8-21)=956  (13 hats from the number we donated last year)
Scarves: 595-1(3-11) +1 (8-21)  (124 scarves over what we donated last year)
Slippers: 144-1=143 (15 over last year)
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8
Afghans: 42+2=44 (+1 (8-21) +1 (10-26) 11 short of last years
Mittens: 299 (41 more then last year)
Squares: 862 +9 (3-3)= 871 (19 more then last year)
Socks: 196 (137 less then last year)
Rain Poncho's 213 (3 less then last year)
Cotton Washcloths 539 +10 (5-6) -2 (8-21)=547 (256 more donated then last year)
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

AND I wanted to share some recent Thank You emails.  Lynn, a lady I meant several years ago at a sausage party (some of you will remember that story, but for those that don't here's the post), helps me by distributing to schools, and agencies in need.  She and her husband volunteer at Holy Family Soup Kitchen, and have made many deliveries there.  Here's a copy from their new director, Sharon Wing.

 **this note from Sharon Wing

Dear Sandy,

We here at Holy Family Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry are very grateful for your kind donations.

We are praying for you and ask that you keep us and the Parish of Holy Family in your prayers.

God Bless You

 -------------------------------------------
Lynn also delivered some of our knitted and crocheted donations to several schools in need.  Many schools have children that come without warm clothing to school.  Some of these children are in fact homeless, some are from the various shelters.  I'm happy we're able to reach out and in so many different ways.  Thank you Lynn for helping with these deliveries.  I know I'm not the only one who appreciates you.

 **this note from Dorothy J. Lowery at Highland Elementary School
Sandy~

On behalf of the staff, students and families of Highland Elementary I would like to thank you for your generosity!  We received your delivery of hats, gloves and; scarves. Our students were thrilled as many of them do not have these necessities. They were very excited as they got to choose something for themselves.

We appreciate you thinking of us!

Sincerely,
Dorothy Lowery
---------------------------------
Lynn also delivered some of our donations to her Daughter-in-law, Michelle Schroeck who is a teacher and knows the need first hand.  Here's a nice email from her.

I would like to express my deepest thanks to you. My mother in law gave me a bag of beautiful hats. I am donating them to our school (Teays Valley Middle School West) and our community free store. Your dedication to helping others is heart warming. We really appreciate all of the love and work you and your organization has poured into these gifts of love. 

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!

Donations from Illinois to Help Ohio's Needy

Thank you Betty B from Illinois for this thoughtful donation.  Betty's crocheted and knitted 18 cotton washcloths, 13 squares, 2 hats, and a scarf.  What a nice selection.  Squares for ghans are on the left and cotton cloths on the right in the above picture.  Many thanks and please keep up the good work.

Betty vacuumed sealed her donations which allowed her to fit it in a much smaller box.  Now I'm not suggestion you all run out and purchase a vacuum sealer; but if you have one...you might enjoy using it for this purpose to use smaller boxes and save some on postage due to the smaller box.


Donations: 2012
Hats 953+2=955  (14 hats from the number we donated last year)
Scarves: 594+1=595 (124 scarves over what we donated last year)
Slippers: 144
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849+13=862 (10 more then last year)
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521+18=539 (248 more donated then last year)
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

**Please remember to ALWAYS include a note with your name and your email address in your donations.  I MUST be able to make contact with you, even if you wish to be anonymous.  I spend far too much time trying to determine who someone is; as I have no way of knowing if you've forgotten to include note or if you wish to be anonymous.  This problem seems to be growing...causing me to spend hours trying to play detective.  **

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!

Knotty Knitters Donate to aid Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Knotty Knitters from Massachusetts.  I don't which of the ladies in the group were involved with these knitted scarves; so will list all the members names: Melody, Lois, Lynne, and Penny.  Many thanks for your continued support.  They've also included a couple of those warm hands/feet packs.


Donations: 2012
Hats 953  (16 hats from the number we donated last year)
Scarves: 588+6=594 (123 scarves over what we donated last year)
Slippers: 144
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

**Please avoid spraying donations with perfume, or Fabreeze, or other freshners.  If donated items have odors (smoke, pets, etc), it's best to launder your items**

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!

Hats for the Homeless

Five awesome knitted hats, soft and warm being donated from our friend Marie P from Tennessee.  Thank you, Thank you Marie.  Hats are soooooo well made and thank you too for labeling with size.  So very much appreciated.

I left a couple tags showing for the picture folks, so you could see the little white tags I've talked about several times here on the blog.  Hats, Slippers, and Mittens should all be tagged with the size you made; so they can be more easily distributed to the right group.  I separate by men, women, and children so having things helps assure the recipient will receive something that fits.  When items are sized, I try to quess; but given the volume of our donations that's really not the best method.   If you're making children sizes, please mark them small, medium, and large children.  Likewise s-m-l adult or large male etc.

In addition to labeling sizes, please make sure mittens and slippers are attached in pairs.  Sometimes when donations are received things slide around during shipping and they may not be nicely placed with the mate, as they probably were when you sealed your box.  Sometimes I receive several pairs in the same colors and so it's often difficult to be sure things meant to be a pair actually end up as a pair.


Donations: 2012
Hats 948+5=953 (only 16 hats away from the number we collected last year)
Scarves: 588
Slippers: 144
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

 **Please be certain all your tails are worked in as you go.  Check your edges and the insides of your hats for tails before you mail**

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!

That was Then AND This is NOW

 Though the year is not yet over, I thought it was getting close to when we might want to reflect back...to see how we as a group are doing. 

 Last year on Dec 31st  we had donated 969 hats, and here as of the writing of this post we're at 948 which is only 21 hats short.  This post is, as all post are; written ahead and placed in que.  It's to be published on Dec 11th so I'm betting the remaining 20 days of the month will put us over the number we donated to Ohio's Homeless and those in need last year.  

Scarves....drum roll here.  By years end we had donated 471 and we're already over that with 588.  An increase of 117.  How awesome is that!

Slippers we've also passed our year end mark of 128 by 16, as we've donated 144 pairs to date!

Last year we donated 55 afghans and we are currently have donated 42.  Surpassing that mark may not be possible.  I've doubled my efforts with assembling afghans; but 13 between now and the end of the year probably is only possible if we get already completed afghans.

Mittens...thrilled to say we've gone over our end of the year mark of 258, as we're currently at 299 pairs of warmer hands!  This really pleases me, a co-worker the other day told me when her hands are cold, she's cold all over.

Last year we collected 852 squares and this year 849....I would say we're right on the mark.  I still have plenty to work with, so please remember to hold mailing them until I highlight them again.  I'm uses up all my storage, so it will be several months before I put out a call for them again.  Please check in.   

Last year we donated 333 pairs of socks, sadly we're well under that number for this year with 196.  That's a difference of 137 pairs of cold feet.  Maybe we can have a push and increase that some between now and the end of the year?

Rain poncho's we're right on the mark, with donating 216 last year and 213 this year.  Keeping people dry is wonderful.

Last year we knitted, crocheted and donated 345 cotton washcloths, and this year.....521!!!!  How awesome is that.  They are used in all 3 of the family shelters we support, and also are used in moving out kits when the families move from the shelter living into permanent housing.  Well done with an increase of 176.

Keep up the good work folks with your knitting, crocheting, and looming.  Together we are a team, and together we've made a huge difference and can continue to do so.


Donations: 2012
Hats 948
Scarves: 588
Slippers: 144
Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

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!

Meeting New Helping Hands

 Meeting, face to face is always so much fun.  Lola, our newest pair of helping hands and I were able to meet and enjoyed chatting.  I even got to meet her sweet husband when they dropped off this colorful donation.  Lola and her sister (sorry don't know sister's name), like to loom hats.  As you can see, they've been very busy making medium sized hats of ever color possible.  In the above picture you can see hats with a nice large brim, as well as those not folded.  These hats can fit a variety of people from adults to teens, and with the brim folded large or twice some children as well.

 More hats, a total of 77; just divided them into 2 groups for the photo's.  Many thanks Lola and Sister, we're thrilled to have you join the cause and look forward to more good work from you both.  Hope to see you here often on Bridge and Beyond.

I'd like to help; but I'm too busy to knit or crochet right now.  I often here that; or I don't knit or crochet and would love to help.  My answer is, YOU CAN.  There are many ways to help.  You can help buy purchasing socks.  Socks are needed all year long.  Mens socks please.  Want to help, but can't do so if it involves spending?  No problem.  Spend time on our blog, reading and posting comments.  Yes, that really does help.  Tell your friends and neighbors and co-workers about us.  They might knit or crochet, or be able to buy socks...and spend time reading and commenting.  Do you blog?  Blog about us, leave a link so people can find the blog that helps spread the word.  Do you have a facebook, 4 Square, Pinterest, or Twitter account?  Talk about us, leave a link...help people find us.  Send out our link to your email account.  Help us spread the word, the more helping hands we can garner, the more people in need we can reach.  Thank You!
Donations: 2012
Hats 871+77=948
Scarves: 588
Slippers: 144

Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

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!