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Finding
New Homes for Your Treasures
One of
the hardest things to do when you are downsizing is letting go of your
possessions. It is difficult to just get rid of them, because you know
their value. They may still have good life left in them or can be used
another way. You don’t want them going into the landfill. Finding a
place where they are needed or knowing that they will be used and
enjoyed by other makes letting go of them much easier. You may choose
to donate them to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army, and there are
many other places that will also treasure your valued possessions. A
variety of agencies and non-profits use your goods to benefit others or
will wisely recycle them. Consider what interest or cause is important
to you and then support that cause by donating your goods there.
Here
are a few you might consider:
Donation:
|
Items accepted: |
Agency: |
What they do: |
|
Furniture, kitchen wares, basic
household items |
Community Warehouse
|
Collects and redistributes furniture
and household goods to low-income people in Oregon and
southwest Washington |
|
Old towels, bedding |
Animal Shelters like
Oregon Humane Society
|
Uses your donations for bedding and
care of abandoned animals |
|
Craft supplies, yarn, paper, fabric,
office supplies, misc. |
SCRAP
|
Offers programs and affordable
materials to the community.(Such as teachers, scout leaders,
recreation programs, etc.) |
|
Bedding , toiletries, kitchen supplies |
Woman’s shelters like
Bradley Angle
|
Offers a safe,
welcoming environment and individualized services that meet
a wide range of cultural and personal needs. |
|
Business/Professional clothing |
Dress for Success(Women)
Career Gear (Men) |
Provides
clothing for low-income individuals who are struggling to
get a job to support themselves and their families. |
|
Shoes |
Soles 4Souls |
Collects gently worn shoes and monies
to provide shoes to those in need. |
Recycle:
|
Items accepted: |
Agency: |
What they do: |
|
Old athletic shoes |
Reuse-a-shoe |
Nike separates the rubber, foam and
fabric and uses them to create a new athletic surface, such
as a court, track, or playground – or even new shoes and
apparel. |
|
Paint |
Portland Metro/Miller paint |
Accepts leftover paint and recycles
into usable new paint. |
|
Non-working computers and TVs |
Oregon
E-cycle |
Recycles computers, monitors and TVs. |
For an additional list of resources,
check out our list on our
NW Organizing Solutions
website
©Beth
Giles August 2011 |
