I’m always looking out for opportunities to donate or recycle: food drives, seasonal clothing drives, cell phone drop-off boxes, book drop-offs, plastic bag recycling and so forth. I keep my eyes open around town, and am also on several email lists for things happening in my community, including charity drives and recycling programs. The resources I discover are great for my own use and for passing on to interested clients.
The community mailing lists sometimes include announcements for charity drives I never would have heard of, because they are held by organizations I happen not to belong to. In one mailing, my town was advertising an annual drive of baby items, while a local Dress for Success organization asked the larger community for donation of business suits and other office-appropriate clothes for women striving to emerge from poverty. One of my clients at the time had changed her clothing style and no longer wanted many these gently-used business-appropriate outfits. She was happy to hear about Dress for Success’ program.
A benefit of being on this kind of mailing list, be it from a religious institution, gym, school, or town, is that hearing about new drives and recycling options can serve as a motivator. It’s great to do a big “spring cleaning” once or twice a year, but it can also seem overwhelming. Doing a quick check for items you can spare in response to a drive or when you know you’ll be in the neighborhood of a recycler is a low-maintenance way to stay on top of your stuff throughout the year. It is also an easy way to get involved in the community.
Do you have similar strategies to help minimize clutter through the year?
I LOVE this post! Recently I received something in the mail saying “we’ll be in your neighborhood” (from a reputable organization collecting clothes and household items). I called and made an appointment. Knowing that they are specifically coming to my house gave me a deadline, which is a huge help. For MONTHS I have been talking about cleaning out my drawers/closet. For YEARS I have been talking about getting rid of those mugs,plates, etc. that haven’t been touched in 9+ years and just take up cabinet space. Now I not only give myself some space, but I also know the items are going to a good cause. WIN-WIN!!
Thanks, Kerry, for the great real-life story!