donations

Who Do I Call?

Jane Green

One of the most frequent questions I get is: “Who can I call to come get my donation stuff?” A number of nonprofits have suspended pick up service during these pandemic times and the ones who still pick up charge in the $60 range. What they will accept has also gotten very specific. Drivers are allowed to leave behind anything they deem not acceptable which can really vary depending on who is behind the wheel that day. Hauling services can be your best bet IF you have large furniture items and the resources to pay the average minimum $160 pick up fee. The answer? I always suggest contacting the VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America). Pick up service is FREE and scheduling is fast, efficient and available in most states nationwide. Everything from clothing to books, small household items, bikes and toys can be donated. The rules are simple: Label bags/boxes “VVA” and all items must be light enough to be lifted by one person. Once ready, leave items outside on the porch, at your building entrance or in the driveway. The truck will pick up rain or shine between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm on the day you selected. Tax receipts are available. Visit the VVA website to schedule and to learn more about how your donations are processed and why they matter. NOTE: As with all donations, make sure items are clean and in usable condition. Visit my Resources page for more donation options. Thanks for your efforts in making life clearer and brighter for yourself and others!

Donations Needed

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Do Good is looking for help. If you are in the PDX area and can donate any of the following items, please let me know. If you are outside of PDX and would like to contribute in dollars, that would be great, too! Do Good staffs the sixth “physical distancing motel shelter” opened by the Portland/Multnomah County Joint Office of Homeless Services last year. The 43-room shelter at the former Value Inn on Barbur in SW Portland provides 24-hr services along with meals, health support, and access to counseling and substance use treatment. This is a stellar example of repurposing space to meet the needs of the community. Let’s do what we can to help them succeed. Here’s what they could use now:

GARDEN SUPPLIES: They want to create raised garden beds and do some garden therapy. Soil, seeds, starts, tools, raised beds. ART SUPPLIES: A wall mural is being planned that will incorporate art therapy. Paint, brushes, tape, tarps. GRILLS: As warmer weather approaches, they’d like the ability to grill meals for residents. Any size of grill would be appreciated. Grill tools, too.

Questions or ideas about donations: Email or contact Jane at A Clear Place.

Where Stuff Matters

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a clear placeI 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!

Say YES to Less!

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Magic happens when you say YES to less!
Magic happens when you say YES to less!

You win on so many levels when you clear out your stuff.

This PDX homeowner saw firsthand the magic that can happen when you say YES to clearing out. Find out more and get FREE ACP Sorting Guide.

View “Say YES to Less” from A Clear Place.

HAPPY EARTH DAY … thanks for making it a clear one!

Resale with a Mission

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GHM-boutique-3200 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

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brasIf 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.

Summer Light Show

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Hints and links to brighten your day. This week’s mini-show features reading lists, donation suggestions, summer music and more. Check it out!