Tag: donate

Buy Only What You Need During Cyber Week

Posted on by Jordank

The holiday season is in full swing, and retailers eager to end the year on a profitable note are publicizing deals by the boatload for Cyber Week — the busiest online shopping days of the year.

The deals are tantalizing. How could you not buy that toy/game/gadget when the price is so low? But if you let yourself get carried away with the perceived savings, you may just run out of money altogether — and the space to put those things.

As a busy consumer shopping for gifts and other goods, you should make every attempt to spend only what you need to spend during the holidays. Some of the deals online and in stores this week are truly once-in-a-lifetime, but you and your giftees may not really need whatever it is.

There are things to consider buying during Cyber Week, of course. First, Buzzfeed says, you should look for great deals on household items you already use, appliances you’ve held off on buying, electronics, shoes and more.

But approach your shopping with a focus on what you (and the people you buy for) can really use and appreciate. “Ask yourself whether you would buy it if it weren’t on sale,” Apartment Therapy advises. “Is it on your list? Do you need it? What makes it a ‘good deal’?”

Buy or receive too many things, and you may not have enough space for all of the junk (er, merchandise) changing hands during the holidays. If you’re a longtime reader of the Organizing Blog, you may have some room for new stuff, but keeping your life clear of clutter is an ongoing process.

Try the “one in, two out” rule as you accumulate things this season: For every new item you allow into your home, donate or trash two to make room. Even if you try to cheat the rule by balancing large items with small ones, you will eventually slash your levels of stuff.

Alternatively, try to buy yourself and others only “uncluttered gifts” that get used up fast, such as candy, wine or dinners out. Also good are gift certificates and event tickets; they show you care while creating memories instead of clutter.

Finally, today is Giving Tuesday — the annual event that encourages donations of money and time to nonprofit organizations and causes. Participate in it, and not only will you keep unnecessary stuff out of your life, you’ll get a warm feeling that lasts all season long.

Donations Contribute to VVA’s Mission

Posted on by Jordank

This week, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) proudly presents its 18th biennial convention in New Orleans, La. Held in conjunction with the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA), the convention will host as many as 900 veterans for five days of speakers, recognitions, planning and camaraderie.

The five-day event not only helps assist VVA in steering its nationwide activities, but also helps veterans and their families cope with the legacy of service and come together in support of one another. And the convention couldn’t be staged with the help of your generous donations to VVA and ClothingDonations.org.

We’re excited to welcome Charles Figley, a Vietnam veteran who is become an expert on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as the show’s keynote speaker. Acclaimed Native American actor Wes Saudi (Dances with Wolves) and author/environmentalist Doug Peacock (Grizzly Years: In Search of the American Wilderness) — both veterans — will also appear to collect VVA awards for Excellence in the Arts.

Paula Cinko, Rosie Gitlin and Jackie Chidsey — all veterans of Bob Hope’s tours to Vietnam — will entertain and reminisce. Veterans and their family members will be invited to share memories with Louisiana Public Broadcasting, as well as screen excerpts from the forthcoming 18-hour PBS documentary series, The Vietnam War.

VVA and the Veterans Administration will join for Veterans Benefits Claims Clinic during the show to help veterans get support, guidance and education related to pensions, education, employment and insurance. The convention will also feature a remembrance ceremony for POW/MIAs, and recognize the accomplishments of chapters and individuals.

Whether you donate lightly-used clothing and household goods to ClothingDonations.org or donate directly, the proceeds help us provide job training and housing, protect veterans benefits, help individuals cope with problems such as PTSD and substance abuse, and much more.

The convention will forge treasured memories for hundreds of veterans and help VVA direct its efforts in the years ahead. VVA programs allow veterans to connect and build a sense of belonging long after the end of what was an unpopular war. The association couldn’t do it without your donations — and the nation’s veterans thank you for your support.

Home is Where the Heart (and the Stuff) Is!

Posted on by Developer

Summer represents different things for all of us. For some of us, it means spending hours sitting beside a pool or lying on a beach soaking in the sun. For others, it’s a time for summer camps, fun summer school classes, and taking family vacations.

For some of us, though, summer is a great time to move. The weather is great, and the temperature is warm, which makes this a favorable time to move. That being said, moving is often a task that people do not enjoy. Depending on how many items you own, packing can take forever, and trying to stay organized in your packing endeavors can be stressful. Then, on top all the packing, you have to make sure your old home is spotlessly clean.

All of this combines to create an emotional experience. It’s not easy to move all of your possessions from your old home that was filled with memories to a place that is brand new and feels more like a house than a home.

Fortunately, Michelle Sandlin recently wrote an article, “On the move: Be prepared for physical move when relocating, ” and she has some good ideas for making the moving process go as smoothly as possible.

Sandlin suggests scheduling a pre-move consultation with your moving company. Meeting them beforehand, as well as developing a strategy for moving your possessions, will make the process less stressful for you. Sandlin also suggests moving important items yourself, such as expensive jewelry, passports, social security cards, etc.

Another idea is to be as organized as possible. Consider taking inventory of each room in your house, and make a list of all the items that need to move to your new place. Then, if you come across items that you no longer want or need, make a list of items you’d like to donate. Place these items in a donation box, and fill out a donation pickup request form on our website. ClothingDonations.org will be more than happy to help you move by donating your items to someone who needs them!

Happy moving!

Let Your Garage Protect Your Car—Not all of Your Stuff!

Posted on by Developer

You may have already done your spring cleaning and had your garage sale, but often times there is one spot people forget to clean: the garage. This seems like an obvious place to clean and organize, but for many people, the garage is a place where things get stored when there’s no other place to put them.

This means that items actually meant to be in the garage—cars, yard equipment and power tools—become displaced because there isn’t room for them. Does this sound like your garage? Have no fear! We’ve done some research on the best way to tackle a garage that is overrun with clutter. Thanks to our friends at This Old House, we’ve been able to put together some helpful ideas for taming your garage.

  1. Pick a day to clean your garage. Circle it on your calendar, put it in your smartphone, or write it on a sticky note. Setting a specific date will ensure that you will actually clean your garage and not put it off.
  2. Go through everything. No box, crate, or storage shelf is off-limits. You never know what you’ve put in your garage. Think of all the hidden and forgotten treasures you can find!
  3. Put your findings into four piles: “keep, donate, sell or toss.” This will help you stay organized, and it will allow you to easily see what you have. Some items may be damaged beyond repair, so it’s best to ditch them. Some gently used items, though, would be great for donating!
  4. Place your donation pile in a box or bag. Then, give ClothingDonations.org a call, or fill out a donation pickup form online. We’ll come to pick up your donation, and we’ll make sure your items go to a loving home. The best part is that your donations help fund programs for our veterans—your contributions won’t go unnoticed!

These are just a few ideas for cleaning out your garage. What are you waiting for? Go uncover your buried treasure now!

Prepare Your Closets — It’s Time for Spring!

Posted on by Jordank

Spring is all about new beginnings and fresh starts. It’s a time when the idea of “spring cleaning” elicits excitement, rather than dread or drudgery, because we know sunshine and warm weather are right around the corner. We open the windows, let in the fresh air, and begin to think about the areas around our homes that need sprucing up or decluttering. One obvious area that generally demands our attention each spring is our closet. In fact, after a long winter of bulky jackets, sweaters, and boots, it’s difficult to actually know what’s even in your closet.

Better Homes and Gardens has some great ideas for decluttering your home this spring, especially your closets. When looking through your clothes, they suggest asking yourself these three questions:

  • Is it flattering?
  • Do I love it?
  • Does it represent who I am today?

If the answer is “no” to at least one of those questions, you should probably donate it. They also recommend cleaning your closet each fall and spring in order to keep your home feeling clean. To simplify this task, keep a laundry basket in your closet that’s designated for donations. Every so often, pick a piece of clothing that you haven’t worn in the last few months, and drop it in the donation basket. It’s that simple!

After you’ve filled your donation basket, give us a call or schedule a pickup online. We’d love to take your new and gently used clothes off your hands. And, most importantly, your donation will go to a good cause: programs that address the needs and concerns of veterans. So, fill up your donation basket, schedule a pickup, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Happy spring!