Donate Your “Clutter” (Old Bikes, Meds, Broken Jewlery, Etc.) To Help Others
Twice a year I try to do a deep de-cluttering of drawers, closets, and cabinets, typically in the spring and fall. It’s amazing how much “stuff” we replace with “newer stuff” sometimes. Typically we donate our items to Discover Goodwill (or ARC or the Salvation Army,) because they have convenient drop-off locations and helps those in our community. But there are a lot of other non-profits that can use specific donations, helping very specific causes. I personally hadn’t heard of some of these and as I researched each organization, I was amazed and actually excited that so many things someone might typically toss out, could be used to help so many others.
Not only can you donate your “clutter,” but you can also donate cash or volunteer your services to these great causes. I took several days looking over each site I’ve included, making sure they were legit and could be fairly easy to donate to. Not only was I impressed with how these groups are keeping the landfills a bit emptier while helping others, it also saddened me that something as simple as a winter coat is considered a luxury to some. In fact, when I read about One Warm Coat, I decided I’d go to Goodwill and buy lots of gently used coats this year versus buying one new coat to donate, which will help a few more people and stay in my budget for our yearly donating.
Besides donating or volunteering your time, you can also start a drive or fundraiser in your area. Instead of dropping off a couple of pairs of worn-out sneakers, why not hold a business, school, neighborhood, etc., drive and have lots of people donate and then make only one trip to a drop-off site? And a lot of these fundraisers are events you can get your kids involved in, teaching them at a young age the importance of helping others. Anyway, I enjoyed reading about these do-good groups, how they help, and realizing that I can help so many by just donating my own unused “clutter.”
COATS –
According to Jennifer Stockard, president of One Warm Coat, “One in five families is struggling to pay for their basic needs, and coats are a big-ticket item that many can’t afford.” For some, a warm winter coat is a budget “extra.” If you have coats you no longer use or that the kids have outgrown, OneWarmCoat.org is a great organization you can donate those coats to. Just think, you could help someone stay warm this winter just by donating something you no longer use. Since 1992, One Warm Coat has given away close to 4 million coats, free of charge to those in need. The coats need to be clean, free of rips, missing buttons, or broken zippers.
To find a drop-off location, you can go to their site and click on Donate A Coat and enter your zip code. For those in the Colorado Springs area, Adams Bank & Trust is accepting coats from November 3rd thru December 3rd. (1310 Garden of the Gods Road and 265 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. locations.) There’s also some great information for those interested in organizing a coat drive.
CELL PHONES –
Cell Phones for Soldiers has provided more than 210 million minutes of free talk time to military members since 2004. They accept newer or gently used phones from all service providers and proceeds are also generated from the recycling of broken and dated devices. You can easily ship the cell phones or find a drop-off location in your area. Once the device is received, it’s quickly wiped of all personal information and then either sold to an electronic refurbisher or a recycler. The proceeds are then used to purchase prepaid international calling cards for troops and provide emergency financial assistance to veterans.
I personally love the fact that Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist of Norwell, Mass., at the ages of 12 and 13. And if you’re wondering why they don’t just give the phones to those serving, there’s several reasons; cell phones can be a security hazard for military members in combat zones, the cost of international phone calls using a cell phone is very high, and the majority of cell phones received don’t have international calling capabilities. Another excellent reason to donate? Since 2004, they Cell Phones for Soldiers has recycled more than 11.3 million cell phones, reducing the impact on landfills.
What a great way to help make a difference to active duty men and women all over the world, helping them to connect with their friends and family back home…simply by donating that old phone you’re not using. To learn how to donate or perhaps hold an event or fundraiser
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
WORN-OUT SNEAKERS –
Grinding down worn-out athletic shoes and turning them into courts where kids have a place to play various sports is what Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program is all about. So far, 28 million pairs of shoes have been tossed in the shredder box and surfaces made with Nike Grind cover about 632,000,000 square feet. From old, worn-out sneakers! You can find drop-off locations, which from what I’ve seen are at most Nike Factory Stores at various outlet malls, by typing in your zip code on their site. A few here in Colorado include the outlets at Castle Rock, Loveland, Silverthorne, and Lakewood. So if you’re planning a shopping trip at an outlet mall, load up those sneakers and drop them off. I happen to really like their slogan for this project, “Shoes Die. Soles Live On.”
Remember, these sneakers can be nasty, smelly, totally worn-out…in such bad shape you wouldn’t even consider donating them to be resold. Something you would typically toss that can bring smiles to children and give them a place to play!
http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/better-world/reuse-a-shoe
BLANKETS –
Old blankets that aren’t in perfect condition can help comfort a dog or cat while in shelters and waiting for their forever homes or keep them warm if their owners are homeless. You can contact the ASPCA or a shelter in your area to find out if they accept blankets and where to drop them off.
If you’re in the Pikes Peak region…
OLD JEWELRY –
I Have Wings, founded by breast cancer survivor, Janet Chambers, takes unwanted donations of costume or estate jewelry and sells it to support breast cancer research and women in treatment. I Have Wings reaches out to adults and youth with interactive presentations to corporations, churches, health fairs, and women’s, youth, civic, and senior groups. I Have Wings breast cancer foundation also supports Tri-State women of all denominations, ages, and income. They help with the financial burden by supplying much-needed prostheses, electric bills, mammograms, food, clothing, wigs, school supplies, haircuts, and more for already struggling families.
To help, all you have to do is mail in that unwanted jewelry, regardless if it’s broken or a lone earring. The jewelry is then sold (if it can be,) with some pieces going to Cinderella’s Closet, which provides free prom dresses and jewelry to teens in need. Janet Chambers says, “For pieces we can’t repair or single earrings, we give them to a woman who makes Christmas decorations out of the unusable jewelry, sells them and donates the funds. Nothing goes to waste.” For more information, including where you can mail your unwanted/broken jewelry…
USED ELECTRONICS –
The National Cristina Foundation accepts your used electronics (computers, printers, etc.) to send to schools or facilities in need. The foundation focuses on service providing organizations targeting people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged populations. The goal is to support the delivery of essential educational and training programs through provision of suitable technology resources.
The National Cristina Foundation’s online non-profit locator enables donors of used computers and other electronic hardware to select a local charity or school in their area of the country they choose to receive their donation of equipment. All you have to do to learn more, or find out how to donate…
USED BABY CLOTHES –
Since 1992, Newborns In Need (NewbornsInNeed.org) has been providing care necessities to agencies and hospitals serving premature, ill, or impoverished newborns. They distribute items like gently worn onesies and little hats you might have, to babies in the United States. In 2013, Newborns In Need donated 536,695 items, servicing 44,772 babies. To learn how you can donate gently used clothing (typically clothes up to 12 months,) click on the “chapters” link on their website. They are also always looking for volunteers and those interested in starting a chapter in their area too.
UNUSED MEDICATIONS –
World Medical Relief reuses medical supplies and any prescription drugs in sealed containers with at least six months before their expiration in clinics in third-world countries.
http://www.worldmedicalrelief.org/
OLD BIKES –
Ten million bicycles land in landfills every year. Bicycles for Humanity works to get unused bicycles to someone in a developing country who can use it. With the simple belief that a bicycle can and does make a difference, Bicycles for Humanity has delivered 75,000 bicycles to Africa in the past 8 years. Bicycles provide mobility giving people better access to education, healthcare, fresh water, economic opportunity and community. You can find a chapter near you to donate to or volunteer at…
http://bicycles-for-humanity.org/
*Bicycles For Humanity – Colorado was formed by Josh Pace, Rodd Granger, ad Keenan Gates in 2007 to begin to form a bridge of community sharing between the front range of Colorado and healthcare workers serving those in need in Africa. There are drop-off locations in Denver, Littleton, Golden, Boulder and Fort Collins
MP3 PLAYERS –
Founder of Music & Memory, Dan Cohen, is helping those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias reawaken their souls through the simple, profound experience of listening to their favorite music. Music & Memory helps elders in care facilities suffering from a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges find renewed meaning and connection in their lives through the gift of personalized music. They take your old MP3 players, fill them with music from the past and donate them. “One may not recognize a family member, but when they hear music from their youth, they can connect with it immediately and feel better,” says Cohen.
They accept all Apple music players in working condition. Chargers are not required, but appreciated. You can go to their site to find out where to send your Apple players and also find a pre-paid postage label you can download.
BUILDING MATERIALS/TOOLS –
Habitat for Humanity believes every person should have a safe and affordable place to live. They build and repair houses all over the world using volunteer labor and donations. Once a house is built, Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. Not only do they appreciate when you volunteer your time and services but they also are grateful for donations of your unwanted but still-working tools, such as drills and saws, and unused building materials like shingles and plywood. You can donate building materials, furniture, and/or appliances which they can then sell at their Habitat ReStore stores. ReStore sells the reusable and surplus building materials, furniture and appliances to the public. The proceeds fund local Habitat house construction. To find a ReStore to donate to or shop at…
I’ve visited the Colorado Springs ReStore and let me tell you, if you need any type of building material or tool, whether for a small project, an art project, or whatever creative thing you want to do, chances are you can find something there and pay very little. I only wish I knew what half of it was! To donate or shop in the Pikes Peak area…
.http://www.pikespeakhabitat.org/