Matt Damon, Socks for Water, IKEA, and Earth Hour are all part of this month’s Clear News. Find out how you can help support Water.org in their global game changing programs. It’s tax time so I’ve included a reminder on what you do or don’t need to hang on to and tips on how to finally get on top of that paper clutter mountain. Plus, get some help with keeping your brain clear … something we can all use! View now.
Donation Opportunity
New Format for ACP Clear News
Challenge: Find a better way to present multiple topics, links and graphics on one page that all open easily with mobile devices. It needs to look good and inspire action. Oh … it should also have a personal vibe and consistent quality. Something that’s professional yet warm and, of course, always clear in voice and message. Result: Today I launch my latest Clear News format … thanks to MailChimp and lots of pots of jasmine tea. Hope you enjoy it!
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Where Stuff Matters
I just couldn’t share enough about this wonderful organization, so here’s a follow up to last week’s feature. Community Warehouse Communications Director, Rena Satre Meloy, took time from her busy schedule yesterday to give me the inside view of this bustling nonprofit. The warehouse was buzzing during my entire visit – a continual stream of donations coming in and going out. And just like their Tualatin location, everything was done with efficiency and a smile. Adjacent to the warehouse, we toured the Estate Store and as at their SW branch, I was impressed with the organization and clean and attractive displays. And such diverse items! Everything from a Murano glass chandelier to a nautical folding screen to a vintage doll complete with clothes and trunk. All at bargain prices with proceeds supporting the CW programs. Rena shared that an average of 40 families a week are outfitted with everything they need to set up house. An additional 20 families are serviced weekly at the Tualatin location. It’s amazing how much work can be accomplished by so few when the hearts are dedicated. Thank you, Rena, for being such a warm ambassador for a worthy and much needed cause. You guys are the real deal.
DONATE, SHOP & SUPPORT – Be mindful of stuff and get it/bring it where it matters. CW Estate Stores are open 7 days a week. Click here for address and hours. Watch here for more updates and ideas on helping our community by helping Community Warehouse. Don’t live in the PDX area? Visit the ACP Resources page or Contact me with your location and I’ll find an organization that can use your stuff. As always, thanks for making it a brighter world!
Furniture Bank Creates Win-Win
Getting rid of stuff is just one piece of the downsizing puzzle. There are many other components including where, how, what and who gets the items you are letting go of. Community Warehouse has been on my Resources Page for years as one of the best places to donate household goods and there are lots of reasons why. Their mission of “redistributing donated furniture and household goods to neighbors in need” continues to grow in demand along with the number of working class poor. The nonprofit is one of the few places that accepts mattress donations (no kings/always in need of twins), drop off is open 7 days a week AND they offer pick up service ($30 nominal fee).
I recently toured their newer Tualatin location and was impressed by its organized and efficient operation as well as the welcoming staff. Like its parent location in NE Portland, the warehouse is divided into two sections. The largest area contains about 90% of the donations and it’s where clients are outfitted with everything from linens and a set of cookware to dining chairs and a sofa. Their Estate Store sells select items at great prices to benefit the mission. It’s open to the public 7 days a week. CW networks with over 200 agencies between Portland and Corvalis and in 2014 helped over 7,000 neighbors in need. AND kept 550+ tons of stuff out of landfills. Now that’s a WIN-WIN!
Visit Community Warehouse to learn more about scheduling a pick up, location hours and items most needed. How you let go of your stuff matters. Contact me if you need guidance. As always, thanks for being mindful of where things go … and for doing your part in making our Earth a lighter place!
TIP: Not in the PDX corridor? Use the nationwide donate/recycle guide at Earth 911 (another favorite from my Resources Page). Just put in your zip code and up pops a list of who in your area accepts what you what to donate. Easy!
Wishing for Volunteers
How’d you like to be around scrumptious food like this and help a great cause at the same time? If you live in the Portland metro area, here’s an opportunity. Albertina Kerr needs volunteers, especially servers for their restaurant in NE PDX. Albertina’s Restaurant features Northwest-inspired cuisine in a garden setting serving lunch/brunch Mon thru Sat. Also on site is the Kerr’s Economy Jar (antiques consignment), Albertina’s Jewel Box (gift shop for jewelry/accessories), and the Kerr Thrift Shop (clothing for men & women/household items) – all run by volunteers! All proceeds and tips help support the work of Albertina Kerr, which strengthens Oregon families and communities by helping children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges – empowering them to live richer lives. Click here for information about volunteer opportunities. Click here to read a recent Oregonian article featuring the restaurant, it’s new chef and the history behind the famous Kerr name.
Resale with a Mission
Need a place to donate your purged closet items? GHM in SW PDX welcomes them. Looking for a boutique experience at thrift store prices? Put GHM on your list. What a delightful little place. Clean, bright, odor-free (no stinky floral potpourri) and well-organized, tastefully displayed merchandise. It helps that the shop formerly housed a frame gallery and provides lots of natural lighting. It also helps that the young manager knows her stuff and has an artistic flair for fashion. All the clothing is sized and arranged by color. Everything from shoes to handbags to jeans is in excellent condition and priced to sell. Tanya greets customers with a warm smile and eagerly shares the story of the shop and its mission. All the items are donated with donors receiving a 20% discount off their purchase as a special thank you along with a tax receipt. The shop also has great half-off sales on a regular basis. (I snagged a stylish bustier by My Boyfriend’s Back for just $12.50.) Donate your gently used clothing and accessories (men’s apparel, too) directly at the store located at 4711 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, PDX 97221. Store hours are Tues-Fri 10 to 5 and Sat 10 to 4. Phone: 503-265-8613. (The shop is tucked down a slope and hard to see from the road. Watch for the pink and white sign on the north side of the road.) Visit the GHM Facebook page.
Note: Donations that are not accepted for the boutique are transferred to other metro area agencies including Dress for Success and Blanchet House. GHM stands for Gung Ho Ministries, a non-profit with a focus on transitional housing for homeless vets in the metro area. They currently provide food, toiletries and spiritual support to the homeless and working poor “Under the Bridge” near Old Town. Visit the website to learn more.
Breasts Deserve a Good Home
If you are like most women, you don’t give much thought to your bra. You have one maybe two and wear them to a frazzle. Your breasts deserve better treatment. Why would you choose to cover your heart with something frayed? Make a point of treating yourself right and get a new bra this week (under wire free, please). While you are at it, pick up a bra to donate to Free The Girls – a wonderful program (that I just learned about) dedicated to keeping young girls out of prostitution. Why bras? Find out here. Are you a “on second thought” gal with a drawer full of bras you bought and then decided you didn’t really like? Donate those, too. Any gently worn style is welcome. Visit the website to find donation sites near you. If you live in the Vancouver area, Camas Antiques is collecting bras now through April 15th for the CW Soroptimist group who will send the donations to Free The Girls. Note: Thanks to my friend, Karen, for passing this donation opportunity along.
A Clear Place 