Spring is finally here! If you live in
California like us, birds are probably already singing in the trees
outside your window, heralding the hot weather ahead. Colorful
blossoms are bursting forth, and fragrant citrus fruit hangs heavy on
the trees. As the outward world takes a deep breath toward new
growth, it's also a great time to focus on new growth inwardly. This
process doesn't have to be intimidating, though; it can begin with a
simple spring cleaning. Begin by noticing how much stuff you have
around the house that could be eliminated, saving you time, space and
energy on a daily basis. Wouldn't it be freeing to just let it go?
If cultivating a simpler life with less
clutter and fewer distractions isn't motivation enough to purge
unneeded items, know that donating them to charities could also
benefit other peoples' lives in huge ways – By
choosing to give your clutter away, you'll bring joy into someone
else's life, fulfill their needs, and support the environment by not
unnecessarily filling landfills. That's why we've compiled a list of
places to donate your discards. Of course, this list is by no
means exhaustive. If you know of a local charity that will take your
donations, feel free to let us know on Facebook
or Twitter.
Here's that list – Simply click on
the link to find out more about how to make a donation:
Where to donate clothes, shoes and
accessories
Dress for Success provides professional
attire and development tools to low-income women. Donate women's
professional clothes, shoes, and accessories.
CareerGear provides professional attire
and mentoring services to men seeking employment. Donate men's
business clothes, as well as briefcases, portfolios, watches and
cufflinks, and coats.
Clothes4Soles and Soles4Souls provide
clothes and shoes for people in need around the world. Donate all
types and styles of new or gently used clothes and shoes.
Where to donate toys and children's
items:
Project Night Night delivers packages
to homeless children that include children's books, stuffed animals,
and blankets.
Stuffed Animals For Emergencies donates
children's items such as stuffed animals, books, coloring books,
crayons, blankets, children's clothes, and baby-related items to
benefit children during emergency situations such as fires, illness,
accidents, neglect, abuse, homelessness and weather emergencies.
Where to donate electronics:
HopeLine from Verizon provides
refurbished cell phones to victims of domestic abuse and violence so
they can stay connected to support networks and achieve a fresh start
at life. They accept all functional cell phones.
Lifecell Project recycles old cell
phones in bulk at environmentally-friendly centers, and uses the
funds to purchase water filtration systems for those in developing
countries. Just fill out a donation form and they'll send you a
postage-paid envelope in which you can mail your old phone.
World Computer Exchange gives used but
functional technology to schools, libraries, community centers &
universities in developing countries
Where to donate school and office
supplies:
Develop Africa
provides children in Africa with school and teaching supplies, as
well as scholarships, small business training, computer training,
school uniforms, and mosquito nets.
The
GrayMatters Foundation supports and empowers people impacted
by brain tumors through outreach, awareness and assistance programs.
They make supportive cards to encourage brain tumor patients and
survivors, as well as their loved ones.
Where to donate books:
The A.K. Smiley Public Library in
Redlands sells donated books through the Friends Bookstore, located
in the lower level of the building, in order to raise funds for the
library's collections, services, and programs.
Books For Africa's mission is to end
the book famine in Africa by creating a culture of literacy and
providing the tools of empowerment to the next generation of parents,
teachers, and leaders in Africa.
Global Literacy Project donates books
and literacy support materials, and conducts educational programs
aimed at improving knowledge, enhancing global awareness, and
developing skills in the U.S. and abroad.
Books Through Bars sends reading and
educational materials to prisoners.
Where to donate musical instruments:
Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation keeps
music alive in schools by providing durable, high-quality musical
instruments to deserving, under-funded music programs nationwide.
Marching Mountains supplies public
school band programs in distressed counties in Appalachia with
donated new and used musical instruments
Where to donate eyeglasses:
Lions club members
and community volunteers ship prescription glasses to people in need
in developing countries.
Unite for Sight
provides eye care for people in developing countries. They only
accept new, unused glasses and sunglasses.
New Eyes for the
Needy distributes used glasses around the world to those in need.
Where to donate (almost) anything
else:
Goodwill provides opportunities to
build skills for people with barriers to employment, including single
mothers, veterans, and those with physical and mental disabilities.
Salvation Army provides a host of
services and community programs to those in need, including children,
single parents, veterans, and those who are homeless, displaced, or
in prison.
Vietnam Veterans of America provides
support for Vietnam veterans and their families.
