Donations for Ohio Homeless Still Needed

I love this shade of blue, crocheted and donated by our long time friend, Sandie P in Louisiana.  I happen to know blue is also her favorite color.  Sandie and I met years ago on line in Crochetville and worked on afghans for survivors of Katrina.  When we finished that charity, we continued to stay connected with blogging and she jumped right in with donations when I first formed this group, Bridge and Beyond.  Thank you Sandie for your long time friendship and wonderful support.  It's very much appreciated.

Today is the last day of May and with tomorrow being the first day of June, our focus switches to slippers.  Please check the slipper tab for necessary information regarding colors, sizes, fibers, stitches and suggestions for both knitting and crocheting slippers.

2013 Donations:

Hats:  366
Scarves: 285+1=286
Socks: 182
Afghans: 24
Slippers: 132
Rain Ponchos: 202
Mittens: 22
Cotton Wash Clothes: 349
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 10
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators and all meal prep related items, etc aren't tabulated

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.

Rae's Ministry of Feeding those in Need

(purple iris from my back yard, with pretty little yellow buttercups on the right and blue forget me knots in the background)

As many of you know if you've been following along, several months ago Rae branched out to a different area of town to extend the ministry of feeding to those folks in need.  The original group is still going strong on The West Side of Columbus with both supplies and able volunteers.  Rae canvassed and found great need elsewhere and put a plan in motion encompassing multiple locations on Columbus's North, and North East Sides, some involving families.

We asked for support to help her get started, and as always you all responded with HUGE hearts and sent donations of plastic bags, plastic containers, grocery bags and similar items to help her in the meal prep.

At this time we do not need anymore plastic garbage bags, or plastic grocery bags, or plastic containers.  We may sing out later with more need; but with limited storage at her end...let's hold and not mail anymore of those items.  She's also well stocked on plastic poncho's and most personal care items for women.   She's nicely stocked also with soap and cotton knitted and crocheted washcloths (though we can always use those items for the 3 family shelters).

• What she is in need to stock her storage area at Everyday People Ministry Church (corner of 161 and North Meadows Blvd) is:

• Zip lock bags, sandwich size

• Forks and spoons (much less need for knives)

• Socks always for Women now as well as Men

• Sample sized shampoo

• Disposable razors

She picks up bread and sweets from a local Panera (on North High Street just north of Henderson), and soon to be expired food from Whole Foods (the donations from Whole Foods are divided between the West and North Ministry).

Currently she is feeding about 17-19 people on Saturday mornings after she preps meals at The Everyday people Ministry.  Several church members from that location have joined her volunteer force.

One of the things a bit different with this North Side Ministry as compared to her long standing West Side Ministry is feeding families vs primarily adults.  There are Mothers who are homeless but have enough to get a night in a hotel with their children (Thank the Lord they aren't living out in the elements); but not enough for food and lodging and so Rae has been able to include them in her Saturday Morning Meals.

Thank you all for your help with supplies and prayers for her new ministry.  I know she truly appreciates both.

The Beautiful flowers above are for you all for all the hard and necessary work you do.

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.

Touring The Homeless Families Foundation

"Be the change you wish to see in the world", Ghandi.  A quote that says so much.  This is one of the many important teaching areas for the children at Homeless Families Foundation's Dawd Center.  As you know we knit, crochet, loom, and quilt hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, cotton washcloths.  Homeless Families Foundation is one of the 3 family shelters we donate to, and also where we donate all our afghans.

This is more then a family shelter providing safe haven for a few nights here and there to those without a roof over their heads.  Homeless Families Foundation provides physical lodging, assist with job training and job search, assist with placement into permanent housing and start up kits during the transition from shelter living to permanent housing.  Throughout this process there's a focus on getting the family back up and running, to keep the family together, and helping the kids with school.

HFF (Homeless Families Foundation), makes sure kids get to and from school.  After school they are picked up brought back to the center and given a nice hot meal here at the center.  Then homework and other school related functions can take place.  It's hard for kids not knowing where they'll be sleeping day after day, or when the next meal will be to focus on education.......and yet education is the key.  Thankfully HFF works on feeding and helping the kids in a safe environment. 

There's a fabulous art area in addition to the music area you saw above.  Reaching kids through creative endeavors is very important.

And of course there's a library.  Being able to get help with reading is vital for many of these children.

What child wouldn't want to sit in an Ape chair to read?

Or sour like an Eagle in the Eagle chair?  And while the kids are getting much needed help, their parents can focus on job training and job search and where the family will be living next.  Far easier for them to focus on those important items when they know their children are being well cared for.  Most of the children in a homeless situation are behind grade level, so this educational component is truly critical. 

 Bright cheery art work, that the children have made in the summer programs can be found everywhere in the Homeless Families Foundation and Dawd Centers new facility.

 Some of the offices still have boxes as the organizational process continues, but the wonderful staff at Homeless Families Foundation forged ahead to get things read for the kids.

 I was thrilled to visit the new center and get a tour from our good friend Karie Gallegos the other day.

 Please know each and every item you make is so greatly appreciate by those that receive them.

 The work we do is important, and is does make a difference.  An important difference in the lives of many children and their families.

Here's the Homeless Families Foundations Facebook and Websites.

And if you've not yet joined Bridge and Beyond's Facebook page, please do.


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.

Designing Spring Garden Afghan

Drum roll....please.  This is the last afghan I designed during the last marathon multi-day design craze.  Thinking of calling this one Spring Garden (though I do need to check and see if I've used that name before) .  I know I have a fair amount of yellow in my stash, but I don't think it's the right shade, so...either I use beige or go yarn shopping.  I hate to buy more yarn, as I really try to use my stash....it's pretty substantial...least as of the writing of this scheduled post.  Who know's what yarn will be used before this one gets edge and assembled?

We're almost to the end of May which brings on June and it's focus of slippers.  Slippers needed for Men, Women, and Children (and teens).  Please check slipper tab for details.  Please remember to tag and join your pairs of slippers with size.  Please consider using double yarn in your slippers so they're nice and thick and sturdy.  Tight stitches and dark colors are best with slippers.  

2013 Donations:

Hats:  366
Scarves: 285
Socks: 182
Afghans: 24
Slippers: 132
Rain Ponchos: 202
Mittens: 22
Cotton Wash Clothes: 349
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 10
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators and all meal prep related items, etc aren't tabulated

**ANNOUNCEMENT: Until further notice we will stop collecting plastic bags, and kitchen containers.  We're nicely stocked up on those items for Rae's feeding the hungry ministry.  Thank you to all who've helped.  We will continue to collect plastic silver ware for the same cause for a while longer, so please stay tuned.**

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.

Nameless Afghan Designed for Homeless Families Foundation

Help, I need a name for this afghan.  I couldn't come up with anything when I designed it.  It's red, tan, and black and has a real mix of shapes and sizes of squares; as well styles.  Some are sampler squares/rectangles, some are crocheted granny, some are knitted.  I think tan is needed to join and assemble ...does that help anyone with an idea for a name?


**ANNOUNCEMENT: Until further notice we will stop collecting plastic bags, and kitchen containers.  We're nicely stocked up on those items for Rae's feeding the hungry ministry.  Thank you to all who've helped.  We will continue to collect plastic silver ware for the same cause for a while longer, so please stay tuned.**

2013 Donations:

Hats:  366
Scarves: 285
Socks: 182
Afghans: 24
Slippers: 132
Rain Ponchos: 202
Mittens: 22
Cotton Wash Clothes: 349
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 10
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators and all meal prep related items, etc aren't tabulated
 
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.

Designing Afghans from Donated Squares

I'm pretty sure I have an afghan named crayons or box of crayons designed and waiting in the wings, but that's what I thought of while designing this particular afghan.  How boring is it to name this Crayon 2?  This is a mix of sizes and shapes and styles of squares, rectangles, sampler, granny's.  I know I have some of the variegated yarn in my stash, but doubt there's enough to edge and join, might have to get more, as I think....I would like to use it for this ghan?  Thoughts?  Will that be too busy?

As I'm typing this post, color me popped into my head.  How's that for a name?

**Things we're not currently collecting: squares, plastic bags, and plastic containers**

2013 Donations:

Hats:  366
Scarves: 285
Socks: 182
Afghans: 24
Slippers: 132
Rain Ponchos: 202
Mittens: 22
Cotton Wash Clothes: 349
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 10
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators and all meal prep related items, etc aren't tabulated


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.