Over the last couple of Months we have gotten some great press! David Nelson wrote an article about us in the Belltown PI, and most recently we were featured on King5News Making a Difference  which has been amazing to bring attention to what we are trying to do here at Homeless Beanies. Though the attention is wonderful what we really need is action. We need a way to get people inside and out of the cold. 

Having Carey Fuller come aboard and bring her skill set, with her collection and avid followers has been amazing. Even though She herself is Homeless, Carey will stop at nothing to make sure that her friends are provided for. Mark Horvath was clutch in creating that relationship by suggesting I contact Carey via Twitter; from there our friendship has grown and I look forward to seeing us both achieve our goals to help the Homeless as we venture together. 

When Homeless Beanies first started we had some very aggressive goals and the team we had in place was sure to accomplish them. Alas Andy Johnson (that's me) is really the only active team member left from the original 6. For one reason or another (time, family etc) we have gone our different ways but I have kept believing that Homeless Beanies is where my focus needs to be. As for our goal, 10,000 warm heads by the end of 2012, we came up a little short. Not to diminish what we have accomplished but we are more in the Range of 500 warm heads going into the beginning of 2013. I will not be discouraged by this because we will still hit that goal, it is just a matter of when.

As for the direction of the company, we will have a very clear map of that soon. We are leaning heavily towards Non-Profit as that is that way we are operating now, with all of the money going to further our cause. By officially having a 501-c3 status we will be able to widen our impact substantially and help many more people get off the streets and out of the elements. We will be collaborating with music groups, drama, TV and film to get the word out there about what we are doing and where we want to go. 

What you can expect from us: We will always do what we say we are going to do. We will always put the needs of the Homeless before our own. We will persistently and definitively try to end homelessness around the world by working with and promoting companies that are like minded. We will maintain this vision and this purpose to help the Homeless as long as we are who we are.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, we hope that you share our dream.

Support Your local Homeless,

Founder, Andy Ryan Johnson

As the holidays approach and people get into "buying mode" filling their houses with things they really don't need and maxing out their credit cards to satisfy the wants of hopeful children. I am not saying this is a bad thing, I just want you to think about the fact that while we work to buy these things, people living on the street are just trying to scrape together enough to survive. Not everyone who is homeless is there by choice, in fact, from those that I have met, most would like to work and live in a home. Just because you have less of a home, that doesn't make you less of a person!

Cancer sucks, plain as day it is a terrible thing shakes shakes the very core of a family and a life. I have my personal stories of how it has affected those I love but I will not share those today. I am simply asking you to join me in blessing one family who has been affected by cancer this November. During the month of October when we sell any beanie we will not only give one to the homeless, we will also set aside $2.00 for this family. If you don't want a beanie but would like to help this family there will be a donate only option. Yes, I am hoping this will inspire you to buy a beanie but I would also like to bless one family with a substantial amount of money. This is the time of year when family's come together and celebrate life and love. Imagine with me if you will that it was your Mother, Sister, Grandmother or best friend that was diagnosed. For some of you this has already happened, some we have lost and some are survivors but all fought bravely! Now imagine how incredible it would be if these people fighting received an unsolicited but large amount of money. How would it affect their life, if even for a week to feel some reprieve some joy in the chaos that is a fight for their life? Help us change one family's struggle this year and put a smile on their face as the holidays approach.

Donate Here       

Shop Homeless Beanies

~Andy

 Here's the deal, Homeless Beanies is giving away one $25 Gift Card from the Rock Wood Fired Pizza; every friday for 4 weeks starting 9/28/2012! All you have to do to enter to win is like our Facebook page if you are already a fan you're already entered. Sounds easy enough right? To sweeten the deal if you share this, it's another chance to win. If you follow us on Twitter  or tweet\retweet this article, it's another entry to win! That's 4 chances to win for each person. Tell your friends because chances are they'll take you if they win, GOOD LUCK!!!

 A few days ago I posted on Facebook about looking for a way to give people that homemade look and feel. There is a young lady who is willing to do just that! Her name is Jacqueline Jones and she brought Urban Hookin' into the world. With balls of yarn, a positive attitude and her crochet hooks; she is ready and willing to help out the homeless of Seattle! Here is a Quote directly from her Facebook post this morning: "I just want to take a minute and welcome all of our new fans and thank you to all our old fans for sticking with me. I want to tell you about an exciting venture that I will be doing!! I will be helping out Homeless Beanies with beanies for the homeless!! I am very excited about this! I love helping out where I can. What I will be doing is for every beanie that I sell I will be making a beanie for them! I just wanted to share this exciting adventure with you all. So know that when you purchase a beanie from my shop you will also be keeping someone less fortunate warm this winter season!!" So excited to be teaming up with her and Urban Hookin'! I gotta say I love the name, I love her designs and I know everyone else will too!

     We recently have had some great donations that have allowed us to give even more beanies away! (we may of snuck a few extra in as a measure of good faith, but we know the orders will come) This week has been all about education.. Learning about where we can go to make a big impact. Although most of our people in need are camera shy we were able to capture a few smiling faces! Here are Monalissa, Khila, Asia and Regina a very sweet Family from Kent that we helped during the community feed at Kent's Seventh day Adventist Church.

 

Don, Nick, Justin and James are getting some great help from the Lighthouse out in Covington. It is a sort of halfway house that helps people get back on their feet! It is a place where they are safe from the dangers of the street and through bible studies and treatment programs they are able to get and stay clean from substance abuse! 

 Thanks again everyone for all of your help and support as we help change lives one beanie at a time.

Remember to stay up to date with our Twitter and Facebook

 It has come to our attention that even though we are giving a beanie away to the homeless; the current price point wasn't working! We tried offering a special of $5.00 off and received no orders; so today we lowered all of our prices! I sincerely hope that this will get the ball rolling again as we cannot just give beanies away!

We have also added a second option, in the event that you don't want to own a beanie yourself, you can simply donate one for a nominal fee! This is for those of you that simply don't see the need to own a "Homeless Beanie" but still want to help.

I hope we have made the necessary changes to earn your business, or at the very least, your help!

Sincerely'

Homeless Beanies Team