Dude, I've got a lot of stuff.
So, this past weekend I moved into a new apartment. This is officially my fourth move since July 2006. Yeech! Besides realizing that I apparently have a serious problem sitting still, I also have realized--much to my chagrin--that I have entirely too much stuff. I don't even mean to, honest! And each time I've moved, I have donated/sold/recycled what I felt was a sizable amount of things, pairing down to what I really need.
And I don't even have an impressive record/CD collection (just ask Jason or Scott, who would laugh me out of the room if I even complained about moving my music. Now books... Books are another story...) Anyway, this past move and the accumulation of more stuff got me thinking about all the great charities that pop up around the holidays.
I've always liked that charities are more prominent during the holidays, because people are generally in a more giving mood. However, real need happens all year long. So my challenge to you (in the spirit of the Op-Ed column I assign in the mag) is to pick a "moving day" sometime next year (or even by the end of this year, if you're feeling ambitious). It doesn't have to be based around any holiday, though it could be if you wanted. And you don't even have to be moving (that's the best part). But pick one day next year where you plan to go through your closets, garages, attics, basements, storage lockers--whatever, and collect all of your clothes, toys, appliances, books, etc. that you no longer use, and find an appropriate donation place. Or sell some of your stuff and donate the money to a charity of your choice. Hold a neighborhood garage sale and pool the money for something useful for those less fortunate that you in your neighborhood. Or go through your cupboards and pull out some food that you know you can live without and donate a grocery bag or two to your local food pantry. In today's economy, more and more people are needing assistance with food, and every donation counts. Or if you don't have anything you want to physically donate, look into donating a few hours of your time to a volunteer cause. There's never enough volunteer hours to go around, either.
I know this totally sounds cheesy and maybe a little preachy, which isn't my intention. But for someone who's been bouncing around for a few years, I really don't know how I have so much stuff, other than I'm human. Most people are collectors, so it's never a bad idea to take some inventory and do some good with your no-longer-used items. Plus, I love this time of year a lot, and it wouldn't hurt to spread a little holiday cheer throughout the rest of the year, either.
Here are some resources to get you started, but pretty much Googling your town's name and "charity" or "donation" or "volunteer" will get you some primo local results, as well.
Marine Toys For Tots Foundation
Goodwill
Feeding America (food bank locator)
Planet Aid!
Tips on organizing a clothing drive
Salvation Army
And I don't even have an impressive record/CD collection (just ask Jason or Scott, who would laugh me out of the room if I even complained about moving my music. Now books... Books are another story...) Anyway, this past move and the accumulation of more stuff got me thinking about all the great charities that pop up around the holidays.
I've always liked that charities are more prominent during the holidays, because people are generally in a more giving mood. However, real need happens all year long. So my challenge to you (in the spirit of the Op-Ed column I assign in the mag) is to pick a "moving day" sometime next year (or even by the end of this year, if you're feeling ambitious). It doesn't have to be based around any holiday, though it could be if you wanted. And you don't even have to be moving (that's the best part). But pick one day next year where you plan to go through your closets, garages, attics, basements, storage lockers--whatever, and collect all of your clothes, toys, appliances, books, etc. that you no longer use, and find an appropriate donation place. Or sell some of your stuff and donate the money to a charity of your choice. Hold a neighborhood garage sale and pool the money for something useful for those less fortunate that you in your neighborhood. Or go through your cupboards and pull out some food that you know you can live without and donate a grocery bag or two to your local food pantry. In today's economy, more and more people are needing assistance with food, and every donation counts. Or if you don't have anything you want to physically donate, look into donating a few hours of your time to a volunteer cause. There's never enough volunteer hours to go around, either.
I know this totally sounds cheesy and maybe a little preachy, which isn't my intention. But for someone who's been bouncing around for a few years, I really don't know how I have so much stuff, other than I'm human. Most people are collectors, so it's never a bad idea to take some inventory and do some good with your no-longer-used items. Plus, I love this time of year a lot, and it wouldn't hurt to spread a little holiday cheer throughout the rest of the year, either.
Here are some resources to get you started, but pretty much Googling your town's name and "charity" or "donation" or "volunteer" will get you some primo local results, as well.
Marine Toys For Tots Foundation
Goodwill
Feeding America (food bank locator)
Planet Aid!
Tips on organizing a clothing drive
Salvation Army
2 Comments:
My mom does that all the time...I swear that Goodwill and Purple Heart are at my house more than the mail man. And every time another t-shirt or an old pair of ripped up jeans that I demolished at a concert are gone.
I'm moving soon, so I'm definitely going to! I hope that more people will listen to you and do this.
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