Minimalism
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Tag Archive for: donating
*** I’m looking forward to bringing the New England chapter of the National
Give – It’s Worth It!
Have you ever decided that you’re ready to give something away, only to find that no one will take it? This happened to a class attendant of mine who wanted to give a pull-out-couch to someone who was in need of one. Unfortunately, this proved harder than she anticipated. When she contacted the donation locations she knew in her community, no one wanted it. They said it was too big, too heavy, and not worth reselling. She became frustrated, and called me to ask for more options for donation. I gave her a few recommendations that I knew, and wished her good luck. A few days later I received a second call from her. She had no luck with my recommendations, because she was outside their pick up area. How frustrating. What now? She asked me for more options. Luckily, I was able to provided her with a few more ideas, one being the local Boy Scouts. I knew they were having a big yard sale soon, and were looking for items. Success at last. They took the couch from her. It was time consuming and frustrating, but the couch was out of her house and on it’s way to finding a new home, thanks to the Boy Scouts.
A similar situation happened to a client of mine who was ready to say good-bye to a wheelchair that she was no longer using. She wanted it to go to an organization that would donate it to someone who really needed it. Unfortunately, this proved harder than she or I anticipated. After a quick on-line search for donations options, we had a full page of possibilities. That was great. We were optimistic. That was the easy part. Once we started calling the donation options we didn’t have as much success. We made a total of 15 calls. Here are some of the responses we got. The Muscular Dystrophy Association couldn’t take it because they only accept chairs that they can service, and they couldn’t service her high-end wheelchair. The Disabled American Veterans did not have anyone who serviced MA or RI. The local VFW Post had no way to re-distribute the chair. Chariots of Hope only worked in CT. Power Chair Recyclers of NE would refurbish it then sell it. She wanted to give it away, not sell it. We were running out of options? Would we ever find someone to donate this chair to? We didn’t give up. We kept calling. Eventually, we found a good option. The Masonic Lodge of RI had a Medical Equipment Center that would pick up the chair, clean it up, and pass it on to someone in need for a small fee. We both agreed it was worth the time and effort, especially since someone in need would be getting a very good wheelchair.
Giving stuff away isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it. I’d encourage you to take the extra effort to give, because someone in need will be very grateful that you did. If you’re in need of donation options, please contact me. I’d be happy to share any resources I have.
©August 2016 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All Rights Reserved
Stuff Be Gone
A game helped my husband and me get rid of 930 things. We played the 30-Day Minimalism Game in June 2016. Deciding what stuff to get rid of was the first step. Figuring out where to get rid of the stuff was the second step. Physically removing the stuff from our house was the third step. Want to know where it went?
We were givers. Our goal was to give the stuff away, not throw it in the trash. Five things out of 930 went in the trash. The rest of the stuff was reusable. So we gave it away.
We gave to family and friends. We didn’t just unload our stuff on them. We made a point of asking if they wanted the stuff, before we gave it to them. My sister was happy to accept a small framed photo of her and her son, that had been sitting on my shelf for years. My friend enjoyed looking at the clothes and jewelry I was getting rid of. She took a few shirts and a pair of earrings. My sister, who has 3 small children, gladly accepted an unopened pack of washable markers.
We gave to local causes. Our local library was collecting for their annual books sale. We donated several books and DVDs. We also gave several books to the school where my husband teaches. We dropped off several pairs of eyeglasses to the local Lion’s Club. We gave unopened toiletries to the New Hope shelter.
We donated to resale stores. We dropped off a car load of items to Hometown Savers. We made a trip to the Habitat for Humanities ReStore to donate an old door and a few old tools. We gave craft items, that I wasn’t going to use, to The Craft Room. We gave a bunch of clothes and household items to Savers.
We recycled. We recycled some old phone books and a bunch of paper. We recycled broken and outdated electronics to Indie Cycle.
We consigned. We used Chic2Chic for our clothing consignment. We used The Thrifty Witch for our household consignment.
We offered items for free. We put old hand weights, a hose, and an unused shelf out by the side of the road with a free sign. They were picked up within hours.
We got rid of 930 things. You can too! We know it takes time and effort. Use these resources and options. They will help.
©July 2016 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All Rights Reserved
Sharing Organizing News With My Mom
When I saw that it was my Mom on my caller-ID this morning, I smiled to myself. I always enjoy hearing from her. It’s nice to chat, listen to her current news, and share my own. The news I shared with her today was about the 30-Day Minimalism Game that my husband and I are participating in for the month of June. I explained that the game is played by getting rid of one thing on the first day of the month, two things on the second day of the month, three things on the third day, and so on. Whoever can go the longest and get rid of the most things, wins. She was amazed that we would play such a game, and impressed that we were still at it on day 15.
I shared with my Mom how we got inspired to play the game after bringing the film Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things to a local theater, and viewing it with 80 other interested viewers. It was an inspiring film that moved my husband and I into action. As of this date, we have each gotten rid of 120 things. So far it hasn’t been too difficult for either of us, but the game instructions warned us that it gets much more difficult after two weeks , which is now. (I’ll be writing more on the subject when the month is over.)
My Mom shared that she has been cleaning out and getting rid of stuff also. She mentioned that she got rid of some extra bed pillows that she wasn’t using. She also went through her wardrobe and got rid of some clothes that she doesn’t wear. The last thing she mentioned was donating her old greeting cards to St. Judes for recycling. This made me smile even more.
It’s always wonderful to get a phone call from my Mom, but it’s even more special when she shares her organizing stories. As a Professional Organizer I can’t helped but get pumped up when I hear stories about other people organizing and cleaning out their spaces. If you have a story to tell please share it with me.
©June 2016 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All Rights Reserved
Acts of Kindness
I’ve always liked the idea of New Year’s Resolutions. Starting a new year with an intention to better my life in some way, is very appealing to me. Many people include an organizing project or habit as part of their new year’s resolution. As a Professional Organizer, I fully support this. However, I’d like to offer another option that can help you help others, as well as, help you get organized. This year, my new year’s resolution is to perform at least one small acts of kindness each week. This idea was sparked by a newsletter I received last year with a list of 60 small acts of kindness. Many of the listed acts encourage you to perform organizing actions as well. Maybe this list will inspire you to help others and get organized.
60 Small Acts of Kindness
- Hold the door open for the person behind you.
- Introduce yourself. Make new colleagues, classmates, etc. feel welcome.
- Clean out all your old clothes and donate them to someone in need. Your old is another person’s new.
- Write a positive Yelp review about a local business you like.
- Listen intently to people’s stories without trying to fix everything.
- Donate blood. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Locate your nearest blood drive.
- Volunteer at a hospital, homeless shelter, nursing home, etc. Get outside of yourself and help others. Check out Volunteer Match.
- Buy house warming gifts for new neighbors.
- Inspire others online.
- Share your umbrella with a stranger on a rainy day.
- Check up on someone who looks lonely.
- Let someone with only a few items cut you in line at the grocery store.
- Spread good news.
- Replace what you’ve used. For example, fill up the copier or printer with paper after you’re done using it or start a fresh batch of coffee.
- Give words of encouragement to someone about their dreams, no matter how big or small they are.
- Stop and buy a drink from a kid’s lemonade stand.
- Help someone get your parking space in a crowded parking lot when you’re leaving.
- Babysit for couples or single parents who don’t get out much so they can have some alone time.
- Look for ways to save a few extra bucks a month and then donate it to a good cause or charity.
- Shop at your local charity thrift store. The money you spend there helps others.
- Help someone get active. There’s a coworker or acquaintance in your life who wants to get healthy, but needs a helping hand. Offer to go walking or running together or join a gym together.
- Check out FreeRice.com – a site that gives to those in need when you playing a game.
- If someone you love really likes something (a meal, a favor, etc.) give it to them when they least expect it.
- Make a difference in the life of a child. Give them your time and undivided attention. Read Raising Kids Who Will Make a Difference.
- If you shop online, make your purchase through Give Back America.
- Pay for the person in line behind you.
- Drop off your old eye glasses at your local LensCrafters as a donation to the OneSight program.
- Create a care package and send it to an active duty military unit.
- Redirect gifts. Instead of having people give you birthday and holiday gifts, ask them to donate gifts or money to a good cause.
- The next time you see someone pulled over with a flat tire, or in need of assistance, stop and ask how you can help. Read How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist.
- Become a mentor or tutor to someone in need.
- Help the weary shopper in front of you who needs that extra two or three cents to avoid breaking a 20-dollar bill.
- Come to the rescue. If you realize someone is sick, bring them some hot tea, soup, etc.
- Be a courteous driver. Let people merge in front of you.
- Put some change in an expired parking meter (where it‘s legal).
- Offer your seat to someone when there aren’t any left.
- Listen to someone’s pain and help them find a path through it.
- Hug a friend. Let them know how important they are.
- Think twice before you throw something away. As Jack Johnson once said, “Reduce, reuse, and recycle.”
- Help an entrepreneur with a Kiva donation.
- Bake cookies or brownies and share with a neighbor or colleagues.
- If you have a good book you’ve read that’s just sitting around on a book shelf, give it away to a friend.
- Become a member of Freecycle, and participate.
- Clean up litter in a park or open space nearby.
- Look into co-housing a collaborative neighborhood initiative.
- Borrow and lend things in your neighborhood by using Neighborgoods.net.
- Send a nice email or handwritten card to someone you know, unexpectedly.
- Leave encouraging post-it notes in library books and other random places.
- If you see a couple taking a self-pic, offer to take the picture for them.
- Setup a donation box at your school, work or place of worship and ask others to make canned/dried food contributions. Then deliver the donations accordingly.
- Join efforts to preserve and protect the environment.
- Donate cat and dog food to an animal shelter. Call and ask what is needed.
- Compliment someone who deserves it.
- If there’s been an accident or a potentially hazardous situation presents itself on the road, report it to the local authorities. Your phone call could save a life.
- Collect and donate prom dresses for underprivileged youth. Check out the Princess Project.
- When you’re getting fast food, buy an extra meal for a homeless person.
- Stand up for someone. Lend your voice. Often the powerless, the homeless, the neglected in our world need someone to speak up for them.
- Take the time to teach someone a skill you know.
- Teach others how to make a difference in this world by setting a good example every day. Read 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life.
- When someone wants to repay you for something, ask them to pay it forward.
May 2016 be filled with kindness and organization.
List provided by Mike Michel from R.S. Gilmore Insurance Agency, Inc.
© January 2016 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All rights reserved
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