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Blessings Bags ~ Pay It Forward

If you know me at all, or if you follow this blog, you probably know that even though I’m limited in what I can offer, that I do what I can to help those less fortunate than myself. And they are numerous. The homeless and near homeless population in our area is alarming. It’s sad. And for the children, heartbreaking.

With what I have at hand or can gather from those who’ve heard, I run my little Project Warmth each year around this time. For the homeless or very needy, especially for the children, I make hats, scarves, mittens, baby blankets and whatever I can whip up.

This week I saw a new idea. I am not sure who to credit it to. It doesn’t seem like it should be such a novel brainstorm, but for me, well, I just hadn’t thought of it before. They are calling them Blessing Bags.

They are simply baggies, filled with a few basic necessities, and maybe a few tiny luxuries, kept in your car and handed to the homeless or needy. It’s a wonderful idea! So simple, yet it hadn’t even occurred to me before. Now that it has been planted in my brain, I intend to make up some to include with my Project Warmth goodies this season.

It won’t be a lot. I don’t have a lot to give. But I will give what I can. And if I give. And YOU give. And if you give and your friend gives, and their friend gives, look what happens in the world? You see?

You may have questions:  Who would I give them to you say? Where would I hand them out? Where do I find homeless people? Are there homeless people in my town?

The Answers are simple. Wherever there are people, there are people in need.  As an example, with Project Warmth, I’ve asked teachers to identify needy children and families and anonymously offer a gift of warmth. Schools are an excellent resource when looking for needy children. Stop in your local school and inquire of the Main Office Secretary or School Nurse. I’m sure they will be more than happy to help. There are privacy laws, however, so don’t expect to be given names. You may be able to enlist them to discretely send home your gifts anonymously.  You won’t get any credit for it, but do you really need it?  Fame is not why we do this, am I right? When I’m about town I see the old men on the benches near the community square, every day they are there, huddled and cold. Offer them there. If they refuse out of pride, simply leave them on the bench, wish them a good day and walk away. Guaranteed they’ll be appreciated when you are gone. Ask at your local church or community center, your local food banks, shelters and even the YMCA. All are good places to start. Stop in your city hall or police precinct. Its a given that the patrolmen know where to locate the homeless. You might even enlist the help of an officer or two.  Once you start looking, you may be amazed and dismayed at how many less fortunate there are among us.

The Ministries at Main Street Homeless Shelter houses 15-30 people per night during the winter months

County officials believe that there are more than 50-80 single adults living on the streets of Pottstown. (The Mercury)

In 2009, it is estimated that 749 people were homeless in Montgomery County. (The Mercury)

In Chester County, 1,109 people stayed in a homeless shelter at least once in 2009.( Chester County Department of Housing & Development)

On one night in Berks County, there were 513 homeless people, 13 of whom were unsheltered. (US HUD, 2010)

     County Officials believe there are 50-80 single adults living on the streets in the TriCounty Area

                In Pottstown School District, about 15 students could be considered homeless

                Source: “Left Out in the Cold,” Pottstown Mercury, March 20, 2007

There are some who chose not to come into a shelter but the 50-80 single adults number is in the county as a whole.

~

TCN Homeless Services Committee
TriCounty Community Network
260 High Street
Pottstown PA 19464

Google Search: “Homelessness + (your zip code)”  for your area’s Homeless Statistics

Ideas for Packing Your Blessings Bags

• I’m sure you’ll come up with even better ideas, but here are some things I’ve thought to add:
• toothpaste
• tissues
• soap
• baby wipes
• individual tylenol packets
• cough drops
• toothbrush
• deck of cards
• mini shampoo and conditioner
• mini mouthwash
• comb or brush
• disposable razors
• deodorant
• mini powder
• mini hand lotion
• chap stick
• individual fruit snacks like applesauce
• peanut butter crackers (a bit of protein)
• hand warmers
• socks
• mittens
• ear muffs
• face lotion
• sun screen (even in winter)
• bandaids
• antiseptic or antibiotic cream
• vaseline
• cold tablets
• raisins
• peanuts
• pen
• small notepad
• washcloth
• tea bags
• collapsible cup
• sugar packets
• candle
• matches or lighter
• roll of mints
• pop top cans of tuna or potted meat
• bottled water
• juice mix packets
• sewing needle and thread
• aspirin
• tampons (for the ladies)
• nail clippers
• cotton swabs
• multivitamins
• rubber bands
• teeny tiny mini light, the kind with the battery already inside
• lollipops (for the kids – they might actually need the sugary ones)
• Little Luxuries for the Ladies like nail polish, mascara, lotions, body spray
• Little Luxuries for the Gents like cologne, body spray, hair dressing, aftershave
• Little Luxuries for the Kids like a small toy such as a yoyo, lollipops, pencil and small paper pad, crayons

I’m sure I’ve left out a lot of simple basics, but you can think of more. Let me know what your ideas are. Send in pictures. Let’s hear your story!

Thank you for reading.
Have a wonderful day!

Pay It Forward

Don’t have anything to give?

Join the Crowd.

Give of Yourself

😀

  

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25% Of ALL PROCEEDS Goes to Project Warmth

Toddler Girls Handmade 3-pc Crochet Winter Warmer Set (Scarf, Hat, Ear-Warmers)

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Project Warmth ~ Update

Yay!!!  Today I received 2 skeins of yarn today from a friend for Project Warmth.

Thank you Ernie!

It’s a start, and as I’ve said, every little bit counts….yes it does!

Project Warmth in a Nutshell:

For last year’s photos and more information on what Project Warmth is and how you can HELP, please see THIS POST in My Blog.

Every year for the past three years I’ve gathered yarn and other textiles, along with various tools of the trade, and fashioned warm cozy accessories for the less fortunate and homeless families in our community.  In the beginning, donations came in sporadically, but even that has dwindled. Of course I buy what supplies I can myself, but its never enough. This year I’m asking for whatever little bit of help you can send my way in the form of donations. You can send supplies or money to purchase supplies, either way, it will be a big help.

THANK YOU!

Sharing or passing along in any way would be truly appreciated.

Project Warmth – Please Help

It’s that time again folks. Project Warmth is in its 3rd Year and I could REALLY REALLY use your help this year. The needy population certainly is not dwindling, at least not around here. I do my best to provide them with warm scarves and hats and blankets, and for the kids at school, earwarmers and mittens. But its expensive, and its time consuming, and its never enough. With your help, I can do more. To Donate, please go HERE.  UPDATE!!!!  Kickstarter is no longer hosting this campaign as they do not do “cause projects”.  (that’s the only reason – view correspondence HERE.)   I’m looking into other services such as First Giving.  *** Alternatively, donations are being accepted via PayPal using the address: PJTouringGirl@gmail.com. ***     ~  A proper receipt will be issued. ~

Thank you again! ❤  Keep Reading for More Information ~

Here’s my Story:

It’s summer, and its too darned hot and muggy. But not long from now it will be a bitterly cold winter here. Unbearably cold!  I’m not complaining. I have a roof over my head. I have food in my belly. I have warm clothes and shelter from the storm. I have a small apartment and the love of my little grandbabies whom I care for here every day. I have what I need.

But each day as I shuttle my grandchildren to and from school it pains me to see little children waiting outside in the cold wind and rain with not so much as a hat, scarf or pair of mittens to ward off the chill. Their little fingers are stiff and clumsy. They shuffle and shiver in an attempt for warmth.

As I leave school and head off for my drive-through morning coffee (mocha please, no sugar) I pass not one, not two, but several homeless men and women, some headed downtown, some headed for the park, some seeking shelter in the local diner, all carrying their world on their backs. Perhaps they were fortunate enough to have found shelter in a church basement for the night, perhaps not. Times are hard. Jobs are scarce. Believe me I know. But as I said, I have what I need.

I’m not going to get into a discussion here about how and why homeless people and homeless families exist in my community and yours. There are a myriad of reasons, we all know that.  Suffice it to say that the majority of homeless and near homeless that I’ve spoken to here are in that situation through circumstances beyond their control. A job loss, the death of a spouse, unexpected and unfathomable medical bills. Sure, those are not the only reasons. Regardless of the reason, they are suffering. Their kids are suffering. They are embarrassed, some are hopeless, some seek help, some hide in shame.  Despite all the government assistance that we believe is out there, for some, one reason or another its not accessible. The churches and the Salvation Army do what they can, but for the most part, they can only a offer a weekday soup kitchen and bed for a night or two.  I’ve met men and women who live in the woods at the end of town. I’ve met families that still have a roof over their heads but no heat in their homes. I’ve seen them in the food pantries. I’ve seen them pulling wagons through the snow, loaded with everything they own in this world. I’ve seen them outside the Home Depot and Lowe’s trying to find work for the day. I’ve seen them in the laundromat trying to stay warm out of the rain or snow.  It’s hard to ignore. Their children go to school with your children. Maybe you know it, maybe you don’t. The problem exists and we cannot wish it away.

So I need to do something. But what can I do? I am not a wealthy person. I cannot offer any of these families space in my home. But I do know how to crochet. Pretty darned well if I do say so myself. And I do know how to make warm hats and scarves and mittens and blankets. I believe that we should all do what we can to hold up one another to the best of our ability. If the only thing I can do is help someone stay a little warmer over the winter, then that’s what I’ll do. And so I do. Each year. I hope you’ll help me.

Each year I spend the autumn days and nights making as many hats and scarves and mittens and baby blankets as I possibly can.  When it starts to get really cold outside, I take what I’ve been able to create to schools, to the parks and downtown. I offer what I can to those who need it a lot more than I do. Teachers have been very helpful over the last couple of winters, taking bags of hats, scarves and mittens and giving them to the children who come to school without.  They have been a real blessing.

Over the past few years, after I’ve exhausted my ability to purchase supplies and tools, I have asked our community members to donate whatever yarn they might have laying around their homes and they’ve been quite helpful.  But donations have dwindled, and I know from what I see, the homeless and needy population has not.

I am capable of making much more than I’ve been able to in the past, simply because I didn’t have the supplies. I’m planning on starting early this year. It takes time. It takes money. Time I have…money, not so much. If I am going to help those less fortunate than myself this winter, I’m going to need supplies. I’m going to need tools. I’m going to need gas for my truck so I can get the items to those who need them most.

If things work out well, perhaps there will be enough to invite other needleworkers to join me. I sincerely hope so.

You can follow the progress of this project on My Blog .

So here I am, asking you to help me help them. I hope you will.

Thank you so much for reading and considering lending a helping hand. Any little bit can help and is greatly appreciated. If each of us plants a seed in the end a tree will grow.

Thank you again,

Peace,

Jo

P.S. Pets need to keep warm too.

Re: UPDATE