Spring Cleaning
Today is the first day of spring here in the Northern Hemisphere so we’re thinking Spring cleaning. Even if you’ve never done it, we’re betting that cleaning out and getting organized at least crosses your mind this time of year.
When you clean out this year, keep in mind that many things can be donated, rather than just being thrown out. Here are some ideas on how to unload your unwanted stuff:
For Women’s Business Clothes: Dress for Success. This organization collects gently worn business attire and supplies it to women that are struggling financially so that their appearance won’t keep them from a great job. There are chapters throughout the US, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit http://www.dressforsuccess.org/
Other gently used clothing: Many organizations collect clothes that are in good shape to redistribute them in the community. Some examples: Clothes Aid, based in the UK (http://www.clothesaid.co.uk/) and We Collect Clothes, based in New Jersey (http://www.wecollectclothes.com/home.shtml). If you don’t know of an organization in your community that would take used clothes, try calling your local town hall or a prominent church in the community - both should be able to direct you to someone that can provide those resources within the community.
Old Blankets, Towels and Sheets: Many people tend to hang on to these until they’re torn or stained. Rather then throwing them out, call up your local animal shelter and see if they’ll take them. Many shelters use these to line the cages of the animals, giving them a cozy place to sleep while they’re awaiting adoption. (Some shelters will also take clean stuffed animals for the animals to cuddle with too.)
Greeting Cards and Stationary: The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen provides meals to the homeless in Trenton, NJ, but they also do a lot to make their patrons feel good about themselves too. They keep a supply of greeting cards and stationary - everything from Get Well to Birthday to blank note cards - for patrons to select and give out as they see fit. They’d love to have any that you don’t need. They can be mailed to: TASK P.O. Box 872 Trenton, NJ 08605 More information on TASK can be found here: http://www.trentonsoupkitchen.org/index.shtml
And, now that you’ve cleaned out and done some good, reward yourself a little: To honor the first day of Spring, Rita’s Water Ice is giving out free ice all day long, at all of their locations. Consider donating the money you would have spent to their charity of choice - Alex’s Lemonade Stand (http://www.alexslemonade.org/).
Mod Reminder: This blog will be participating in the content strike tomorrow. No posts, No Comments, No Content! Please note that depending on your time zone, the strike for you may start this afternoon. (Check out the content strike link for a link to the time breakdown.) There will be no post at all tomorrow, go out and do good! Normal blogging will resume on Saturday.
When you clean out this year, keep in mind that many things can be donated, rather than just being thrown out. Here are some ideas on how to unload your unwanted stuff:
For Women’s Business Clothes: Dress for Success. This organization collects gently worn business attire and supplies it to women that are struggling financially so that their appearance won’t keep them from a great job. There are chapters throughout the US, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit http://www.dressforsuccess.org/
Other gently used clothing: Many organizations collect clothes that are in good shape to redistribute them in the community. Some examples: Clothes Aid, based in the UK (http://www.clothesaid.co.uk/) and We Collect Clothes, based in New Jersey (http://www.wecollectclothes.com/home.shtml). If you don’t know of an organization in your community that would take used clothes, try calling your local town hall or a prominent church in the community - both should be able to direct you to someone that can provide those resources within the community.
Old Blankets, Towels and Sheets: Many people tend to hang on to these until they’re torn or stained. Rather then throwing them out, call up your local animal shelter and see if they’ll take them. Many shelters use these to line the cages of the animals, giving them a cozy place to sleep while they’re awaiting adoption. (Some shelters will also take clean stuffed animals for the animals to cuddle with too.)
Greeting Cards and Stationary: The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen provides meals to the homeless in Trenton, NJ, but they also do a lot to make their patrons feel good about themselves too. They keep a supply of greeting cards and stationary - everything from Get Well to Birthday to blank note cards - for patrons to select and give out as they see fit. They’d love to have any that you don’t need. They can be mailed to: TASK P.O. Box 872 Trenton, NJ 08605 More information on TASK can be found here: http://www.trentonsoupkitchen.org/index.shtml
And, now that you’ve cleaned out and done some good, reward yourself a little: To honor the first day of Spring, Rita’s Water Ice is giving out free ice all day long, at all of their locations. Consider donating the money you would have spent to their charity of choice - Alex’s Lemonade Stand (http://www.alexslemonade.org/).
Mod Reminder: This blog will be participating in the content strike tomorrow. No posts, No Comments, No Content! Please note that depending on your time zone, the strike for you may start this afternoon. (Check out the content strike link for a link to the time breakdown.) There will be no post at all tomorrow, go out and do good! Normal blogging will resume on Saturday.