Mission Statement

Operations for Bridge and Beyond will cease on Dec 31, 2021, last mailing date should be Dec 24th

GOAL FOR AFGHANS

Afghans
Goal: 30
Start: #24
Current: 26
0.8666%
START
END

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Camp for Homeless is NOT Camping



On first glance, you may think this Dad and his cute little daughter are camping, but........look again.  They are on a sidewalk--a hard sidewalk somewhere in the US.  Camping on a hard sidewalk is NOT something you do vs staying in a state or national park when you're camping.  When you're camping you typically pitch your tent on grass or a special tent pad that provides comfort.  No, this sad situation is a Dad and his cute young daughter on a sidewalk, there is no camp ground with a bathroom, or a fire pit etc.  They could even be considered as some of the luckier people, as they have a tent which would provide cover in rain. 

I assume there are in a large city that allows homeless to pitch a tent on a sidewalk.  In my community that is not permitted.  But, the big problem here is a young girl/ toddler and her father are homeless.  They probably don't know where their next meal is coming from or whether or not they can stay here beyond this one night.  It's sad.  Truly, being homeless is something that even my being involved with this blog for going on ten years, is hard to fathom.  I can not imagine what it must be like to want to take care of your sweet young daughter when you are without.  I just can't imagine.

Please do what you can to knit, crochet, spread the word here through Bridge and Beyond, as well efforts in your own community.  No one should be homeless.  Let's all do our best to provide what we can.  Perhaps you're able to provide a tent, sleeping bag, tarp or other equipment to an organization in your community.  This is a sad picture indeed, but ...can you picture what it would look like without the stroller, without the tent?  Do what you can, provide what you can. 

Together with caring hearts, we can help...one day at a time, one person at a time, one donation at a time.  Thank you for all you do here on Bridge and Beyond and whatever you're also able to do in your communities.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.** 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.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Thank you Karen S for this wonderful donation of crocheted warm hats and scarves.  Absolutely LOVE the brown.  Brown is such a great color for the men.  Special thanks too for tagging the hats with size.  Folks if you click to enlarge the picture you'll see Karen's hand made size tags....so cute!  I assume it's card stock, or perhaps even index card that has been cut with either a dye or pinking shears?

Karen has also crocheted 5 cotton washcloths, that are always so well received.  The cotton washcloths has so many uses.  

If you're new to reading this blog, Bridge and Beyond (dedicated to helping homeless through knitting and crocheting), you may not be familiar with this type of crochet that Karen uses in her scarves.  There are apparently many different names for it, Double Ended Crochet, Cro-hooking, Reversible Tunisian and more.  It's been a while since I posted a video on how Karen accomplishes this interesting light and dark side to the scarves...as well as interesting texture.  I posted about it HEREPlease have a look.

Thank you Karen for your on going support of Bridge and Beyond and our Homeless Friends in Needs.  We all appreciate it, and you.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite.  I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th.  I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages.  If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.**

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.

Monday, January 15, 2018

Knitted and Donating Scarves and Washcloths

Thank you Sue S for this awesome donation of knitted goodies.  Sue S has knitted 2 very nice scarves.  I LOVE the variegated yarn, the colors will work for men or women!  She's also knitted 6 cotton washcloths with lots of fun variegated yarn.  AND she's included some personal care items she collected a hotel, and some razors for the men.

Sorry the picture is a bit dark, it was such a dark gloomy day here when I took the picture.  Even after edited the photo to enhance the colors a bit it's still pretty dark.  You know it's gloomy and dark when you have all the lights in the house on at 2 in the afternoon.  

Hope everyone is staying warm, the temps have surely been low all around the country, I just can't imagine how bad it is for those living outside, or for those who need to be outside during the day waiting for the time the shelters allow them indoors.

Let us strive this year to do as much as we can.  Even if each of us donates one additional item over last years personal totals...think what a difference that would make.

I also want to thanks Sue for her dedication in visiting and commenting daily on the blog.  I truly appreciate that.  It so helps.  Thank you for all you do.

**Please note the number of items have been added to the individual progress bars, but the percentages will be done next on 20th of January**

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.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Begging and Homelessness

This is another picture that shows, in a very strong way what many in our community do when they see a homeless person.  Did you see the previous post?  How can we fix homelessness, if we don't acknowledge it?  Do we (Collective We), not acknowledge it because we don't know how to fix it?  

I don't know the answers, but sometimes think people look away because they don't want to stare, which is considered impolite.  Maybe just smiling, or saying hello would be a step to make them feel less invisible?

None of the above has mentioned begging, so let me address that, since it is the title of the post.  (Just found the picture profound).  Recently I've read some articles about some communities cracking down on what they are calling aggressive begging.  The first article was actually from The UK.  The area where the royal wedding will be, has a handful of homeless/street people.  Their government has decided it's inappropriate for them to be there on the doorsteps when the royal wedding uses that particularly route.  They indicate they are being forceful---aggressive with begging, some who work or live in the area say that's not true; while other business want the homeless gone.  Apparently, the problem is global, not specific to The United States.

I've passed people who have a can or bucket ...some container and are requesting donations, but, I've never had anyone actually approach me and beg for money.  Have you?  Do you give money to those with containers?  Some say it helps, others say it's not a good idea, as some aren't real homeless people, but con artists.  How do you know if you're really helping someone?  Isn't it better to perhaps give donations to someone who might be a con artist, than to not help anyone?

I see both sides of the issue, and have from time to time drop some money in the container; other times not.  I don't more than I do, and sometimes I later feel badly because I didn't.  Sometimes it's because I don't want to open my purse, sometimes it's because I know I don't have small bills..........I often carry very little cash, because I charge 99.9% of all my purchases.  I sometimes put a couple of dollars in a pocket (if I have one, and often as a women don't have pockets), so if see someone I can make a contribution without getting into my purse.  

Tell us what you do?  Tell us what you've seen.  Perhaps we can learn from each other.

In my effort to blog in ABC order, this is my B post.
A post is HERE, if you missed it.

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.

Where are You and Your Yarn From?

I'm trying to identify where everyone is from, partially for fun. Take a look at the map. Also, believe it will aid me in cases where we have several people with the same name. Please look at the lists of bloggers and non bloggers and see if I have the state you hail from. If not, please leave a comment and let me know.

Additionally, we've had help from Scotland, England, Germany Puerto Rico, Canada, and France! They don't appear on the map, but their help is still greatly appreciated.

Where The People Who Donate Come From, is your state represented?