Pass Along Self-Esteem

Donate “once in a lifetime” clothing such as old bridesmaid dresses or even your wedding dresses. Many people cannot afford formalwear for special events and if we are done wearing them, why keep them? Keep your own memories alive through pictures, and pass the dress or suit along to make someone feel happy and special for their big moment.

Author and all-around-good-person Lara Starr offered this tip: “I’m a huge fan of Image for Success and the work they do in San Rafael, California. Image for Success provides men and women who are transitioning to work with two-week professional and casual wardrobes so they can embark on their new lives feeling like a million bucks! Clothes and how we present ourselves can have a huge impact on our self esteem. Giving these folks the time, attention, and resources to look and feel their best means the world. And the thrift shop Image for Success runs is one of my favorite places to shop. The staff and volunteers always make shopping fun! Their tidy shop with well-chosen, quality items is a great place to score designer finds on the cheap!” Visit the website at imageforsuccess.org.

Gifts That Give Back

    For every pair of thick and warm hand-knitted cable mittens purchased, CherryT Co. donates another pair to a child in need. Buying a pair at cherrytco.com is like sending out two big high-fives!

Give Your Old Clothes a Promotion

    Donate your unworn, professional clothing to dressforsuccess.org. This organization promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing them with clothing they can wear to work, thereby advancing their career and confidence.

Hold a Closet Swap Soiree

    You can share your surplus clothes with friends and acquaintances by throwing a “naked lady party.” This is a fun way to exchange clothes as well as other items. First, set a date, and invite a group of friends to your house (we do ladies only, but men could be included, too) and ask everybody to bring some clothes that they don’t want anymore. Set up your living room as a shop, designating different areas for guests to deposit their items-dresses in one pile, sweaters in another, and so on. Be sure to make a bedroom available to those friends who are too shy to try on clothes in company. We usually have wine and some snacks, and we end up bags of new-to-us clothing. Don’t be bashful-things that you are heartily sick of will be starring in somebody else’s wardrobe, and the surplus can be dispatched to the thrift store.

Pass Along Self-Esteem

    Donate “once in a lifetime” clothing such as old bridesmaid dresses or even your wedding dresses. Many people cannot afford formalwear for special events and if we are done wearing them, why keep them? Keep your own memories alive through pictures, and pass the dress or suit along to make someone feel happy and special for their big moment. 

    Author and all-around-good-person Lara Starr offered this tip: “I’m a huge fan of Image for Success and the work they do in San Rafael, California. Image for Success provides men and women who are transitioning to work with two-week professional and casual wardrobes so they can embark on their new lives feeling like a million bucks! Clothes and how we present ourselves can have a huge impact on our self esteem. Giving these folks the time, attention, and resources to look and feel their best means the world. And the thrift shop Image for Success runs is one of my favorite places to shop. The staff and volunteers always make shopping fun! Their tidy shop with well-chosen, quality items is a great place to score designer finds on the cheap!” Visit the website at imageforsuccess.org.

Lighten the Load on Our Environment

    Laundry can be a costly business, both financially and environmentally. Expensive conventional detergents and laundry aids are mostly derived from petroleum and often contain chemical fragrances and phosphates, which are known to deplete water of oxygen. This has devastating effects on fish-they basically starve and die. Eco-alternatives are much cheaper, just as effective, and so much better for our world. 

    At the store, look for phosphate-free, eco-friendly laundry detergent powder. The green brands use a soap base instead of petroleum, which works just as well without the deadly chemicals. You may even find that strange allergies and discomfort goes away as you eschew heavily chemical-laden soaps.

Compassionate Crafts

    Some of my friends love to knit and crochet. Everyone I know has already had a colorful throw given to them, so what to do with all the products of all that handiwork? Look no further! 

    The Red Scarf Project (fc2success.org/how-you-can-help/red-scarf-project/) is looking for knitters to donate homemade red scarves for foster children in school. Whether you just learned to knit and purl or you are an expert, you can send encouragement and warmth to a foster student with a simple scarf. 

    Newborns in Need (newbornsinneed.org) would love clothing and bedding items for newborn, sick, needy, and premature babies. You can donate blankets, hats, booties, and afghans. All they ask is that you use the softest yarn possible. 

    Warming Families (warmingfamilies.webs.com) is a 100% volunteer-run project that delivers donated blankets and other warm items to the homeless and displaced. They supply to local shelters and nursing homes.

Gifts That Give Back

    For every pair of thick and warm hand-knitted cable mittens purchased, CherryT Co. donates another pair to a child in need. Buying a pair at cherrytco.com is like sending out two big high-fives!

Be an Anonymous Gifter

    Have you ever heard of the Bolinas Free Box? This institution began 30 years ago by accident. As the story goes, a young couple was departing the shores of Bolinas, California, and dumped some boxes of extra belongings behind at the community center as they left. The rather nice assortment of clothes, books, and household utensils drew some interested residents to have a look. By the end of the day, several other people had brought free stuff down to share. The Free Box took up residence in a shed between the health food store and the community center and has been providing all comers with all kinds of free fare ever since. The era of the free box was born.

Good Night, Moon, Good Morning, Sunshine!

    I have to agree with the lovely people of the Pajama Program (pajamaprogram.org) that the sweeter side of life comes from warm, snuggly PJ’s so I love their mission- to provide pajamas and a book of bedtime stories to children who need them. Need I say more?

Dryers Are Energy Vampires - Clotheslines Are Better

    Hang dry your wet laundry. By doing so, you’re saving energy and preserving the fit and color of your clothes!

Shed and Help Others Get Ahead

    I bet you have too many shoes. I do, and I really only like a few pairs that are comfy and look good, too. Donate your unused, new and gently used footwear to soles4souls.org and you will help somebody who needs them more than you do. Many of these go to folks looking to rejoin the workforce who need nice interview shoes and on-the-job kicks, too.

Give Your Old Clothes a Promotion

    Donate your unworn, professional clothing to dressforsuccess.org. This organization promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing them with clothing they can wear to work, thereby advancing their careers and confidence.

Hold a Closet Swap Soiree

    During the pandemic, we may be buying more than what we need, including clothes. Once everything is lifted, you can share your surplus clothes with friends and acquaintances by throwing a "naked lady party." This is a fun way to exchange clothes as well as other items. First, set a date, and invite a group of friends to your house (we do ladies only, but men could be included, too) and ask everybody to bring some clothes that they don't want anymore. Set up your living room as a shop, designating different areas for guests to deposit their item-dresses in one pile, sweaters in another, and so on. Be sure to make a bedroom available to those friends who are too shy to try on clothes in company. We usually have wine and some snacks, and we end up with bags of new-to-us clothing. Don't be bashful- things that you are heartily sick of will be starring in someone else's wardrobe, and the surplus can be dispatched to the thrift store. 

Give Away Your Old Stuff

    I've said it before and I'll say it again: we all have too much stuff. Do a favor for people in need and give away some of the things you no longer use or wear. Others would be happy to have them and you will simplify your life and enjoy your time more. Find a few locations that you can drop off your stuff or call an organization that collects good to redistribute to those in need. There are Goodwills and Salvation Army centers in every town, large or small, so you can donate to help others.