Crocheted Donations for Those in Need

Another bright donation from our good friend RoseMarie.  Personal care items, slippers, hats, and a headband.......but then you all knew that.  We all know her signature mark of trim and flowers.  Thank you RoseMarie, as always we're thrilled to have you among us and know you'll continue to be supportive.

Folks, please let me encourage you all to scroll back 3 posts.  There are 2 posts I'd truly like you all to read, and comment on.  

The working calendar has been updated to reflect the first half of the year in two month groupings.  a bit different then we've done in previous years, so please if you've not read it in the last couple of weeks,  click on the calendar tab across the top of the blog.

**Please remember to tag all hats with size, as well as mittens and slippers**

2014 Donations:
Hats: 108+5=113
Scarves:58
Socks: 6
Afghans: 9
Slippers: 14+1=15
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten: 7
Cotton Washcloths: 56
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarmers and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... 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.

Funky Fall Afghan Needs a Bath

Funky Fall is in need of the final tail being tucked in and then it can get a bath.  LOL, Remember all ghans need to be laundered and blocked, it really finishes them, makes them softer, and removes all the dander, oils, hair, dust etc that settles on yarn while in the stores, in our stash, and during the time we work on our projects.  Really this is true of almost everything we make, but a ghan probably the most because it tends to take longer to make and therefore has more time to pick up dust, odors, dander etc.  Hats and scarves really do well in the laundry too.  It's easy to do a whole load at one time if you have a large box of something you've completed.  Though more directions say dryer normal heat I dry items on LOW only, and ghans I lay out to block.  No, I'm not saying I launder everthing you all send, I never get done; but do encourage you to think about how old the yarn is you're using for items and whether or not it should be laundered when completed.

If you've not been here lately, please scroll back and read the last 2 posts, one is about a must read book for all of us involved with helping The Homeless, and one is about Blog Blitz.  Both are worth your time to read and share something dear to us all.

In a few days, we'll switch our focus from kids to Men.  March and April will focus on Men.  Hats, scarves, slippers, mittens for men; as well as store bought socks for men, and personal care items (and cotton knit or crochet washcloths).  Please check the working calendar, and the individual tabs across the top of the blog 

2014 Donations:
Hats: 108
Scarves:58
Socks: 6
Afghans: 8+1=9
Slippers: 14
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten: 7
Cotton Washcloths: 56
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarmers and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... 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.

Red Rover Red Rover Send.......Right Over

Some of you may have noticed this new badge posted in the right hand sidebar and wondered what it was all about.  As I was out blog walking (which I love to do) a few days ago, spotted it and was curious.  Reading the blog post about it (which you can do by clicking on the badge in the sidebar), it made me smile.  It talked about fun childhood games that if you're as old as me ....you well remember.  Games like hide n seek, Red Rover Red Rover and just plain playing outdoors with the kids in the neighborhoods.  I loved that time.

I've been very blessed to re-connect with some friends from that time of innocence.  

Now don't those pictures take you back?  Middle front row in this picture is Wendy, some of the pictures above show Pam and her sister Debbie.  We played jax, jump rope, Red Rover, flashlight tag etc.  Sweet memories.  The Blog Blitz is reminiscent of those times and those good feelings.

We here on Bridge and Beyond reach out to others each and everyday with each item we knit, or crochet or loom.  I wonder if those folks have such sweet memories?  Sadly, I doubt the children involved do.  Living under bridges, on the streets, and in shelters doesn't give a child the opportunity to play safely in the neighborhood the way we all did.  How blessed we all were, and continue to be with the memories of those times.

As you knit or crochet, please take time to give thanks for these special times in your life and know that each item you make shares a piece of your heart with someone in need......someone less fortunate.  Thank you Don at Cruising Altitude (Blog Blitz) for helping me remember those times.

Some of you reading this blog, may say ...I don't knit, crochet or loom and therefore I can't help.  Not True!  You can help.  You can share this blog post on your blog, in an email, on twitter and or Facebook to help spread the word.  You can donate by saving all those little bottles of samples that come in the mail, and or little shampoo's etc from your travels.  Those are ways to help, that don't cost a thing, just some time.  If you have the financial where with-all, you can purchase socks, something always in need.  Please note each item we knit, crochet, loom, collect and donate has it's own tab across the top of the page.  Please let me know if you have any questions about how you might help the homeless and those less fortunate.

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.

Share Cropper and how Denver becomes Homeless

Though this pictures shows the Kindle edition of this book, I read it in paper back, thanks to one of my high school friends, Joy D who crochets beautifully and donats here on Bridge and Beyond.  I wasn't able to save the picture in the paper back version, thus you see the Kindle Edition.  Which by the way, was listed as 3.99 today (FEb 17th) when this post was written and scheduled.

Joy was good enough to send me this book with one of her thoughtful donation.  A bit embarrassed to say, I put it on my shelf and sorta forgot about it.  Found it when cleaning off my shelf a short while ago.  WOW, what a book.  I highly suggest it to you all who give of yourself to help the cause here on Bridge and Beyond.  Buy it in either paper book format or e-format for your Kindles etc.  And when you're done, pass it along to someone else.  The book is very moving and so very appropriate for all of us.

It's a true story about a man who was homeless, Denver and his friend Ron, a man who sells million dollar art.  It's both a sad and uplifting story all rolled into one.  Does it solve homelessness......NO!  But, I think you'll find it well worth the time to read it.  It's a New York Times Bestseller.

A question keeps popping into my head, as I think about this book, "Do you smile, or speak when you encounter a homeless person, or do you avert your eyes......afraid they'll ask for money?  The answer for me is yes...yes to all those answers; but this book challenges us to think differently.  I care, and so you do; thus we knit and crochet and pray and donate........

Would love to know who's familiar with or read the book and what your thoughts were.

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 Sue F, Clapping for Mittens

Thank you Sue F for this awesome donation of mittens, slippers, and scarves.  All necessary items that are so very much appreciated.  Big special thanks too for tagging slippers and mittens with size.  Your mittens are so nicely made.........I always get excited when we get mittens, as they're just not something we can all make.  Well done, please keep up the good work.

And with this post, I am now current with all the goodies that came in during hubby and my vacation to Hilton Head.......where sadly it ended up being almost as cold as here in Ohio.  Sooooooooo bizarre for that area where normally he can even go golfing in the winter months.  If you'd like a break, want to take a virtual no packing no laundry type vacation, hop over to my travel blog.  Traveling Suitcase

2014 Donations:
Hats: 108
Scarves:57+1=58
Socks: 6
Afghans: 8
Slippers: 11+3=14
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten: 4+3=7
Cotton Washcloths: 56
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarmers and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... 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.

The Yellow Rose of Texas

Say Howdy to our newest pair of helping hands from the state of Texas.  We're thrilled to have you join us and appreciate this thoughtful donation to keep Ohio's Homeless warm.  She's asked to be anonymous (though I have her name...remember that's necessary).  Though it's a long way from Rose season, as we have mounds of snow on the ground that I wonder when and if it will all melt.......the song Yellow Rose of Texas popped into my head as I posted this picture from our newest Texas contributor.

**Stay tuned for donations from:   Sue F from Ohio.

Due to the holiday (editing this post on Presidents Day), I'm delayed a day picking up donations from the post office that arrived last week.  So, if you mailed a donation last week and are wondering what happened, if it arrived etc....stay tuned for the next couple of days, please and thanks.

2014 Donations:
Hats: 108
Scarves:54+3=57
Socks: 6
Afghans: 8
Slippers: 11
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 56
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarmers and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... 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.