You can find previous challenges here (it's never too late to complete a challenge!):
This week's theme is: donate. If your house is anything like ours, it's full of so many things that we absolutely do not need. I like to keep a donation box for things that I want to pass along to someone I think could use it. And, while donating to Goodwill (or other similar stores) is super easy, I try to be intentional with where we donate so that the intended recipients don't have to pay for the items. It doesn't happen all the time and is a bit more time consuming - but I try. Below are some household items that you could sift through and see if you have anything that needs to be donated. I've also included a list of donation sites in the B/CS area.
Do you have any of the following laying around your house?
* baby clothes - pregnancy outreach centers, women's shelters, and churches will be able to get these items to someone who could really use them
* children's clothes - school nurses and counselors know the needs of families and will be able to pass along any donations
* jeans - host a Sole Hope shoe cutting party and your old jeans can become shoes for children in Africa
* stuffed animals - check with your local police/fire department to see if they use them for emergency calls
* construction materials/items from remodel - Habitat for Humanity ReStore
* eyeglasses - can be refurbished and distributed to those in need (check your local Lions Club to find the nearest collection site)
* children's books - local libraries, teachers, or Books and a Blanket
* magazines - Meals on Wheels recipients love receiving magazines with their meals
* toiletries - hotel size toiletries are perfect to use for blessing bags or to donate to your local school food pantry (sadly, our schools are filled with homeless children - individualized sizes of shampoo/soap are great to have when they have access to school showers)
-Do you travel for work or know others that do? Will you be vacationing later this summer? Bring back your hotel toiletries and be a blessing to others! It won't cost you anything!
* extra school supplies - am I the only one who has a drawer full of unsharpened pencils?! Check with teachers (especially the older grades who tend to get forgotten) and your local Stuff the Bus project.
* old smart phones/iPods - check with teachers at a nearby school - what seems outdated and worthless to us can be put to use in a classroom
* outgrown sports equipment - check with your local sports leagues and see if there are kids in need that could benefit from your kiddos outgrown equipment
* winter coats - you might have to hold on to these till it gets cold again (hint - I bag up donations for later and put them in my attic with a sticky note on the outside then I also put a date on my calendar for later to "check attic for donations) :)
* garden produce - contact your local food bank if you have been blessed with a bountiful crop that you would like to share
* unused make-up samples - love getting the free gift but never use all the items? Why not give them to your local women's shelter?
* aluminum cans - most of us recycle but another option is to sell them and use the money to bless others
* baby clothes - pregnancy outreach centers, women's shelters, and churches will be able to get these items to someone who could really use them
* children's clothes - school nurses and counselors know the needs of families and will be able to pass along any donations
* jeans - host a Sole Hope shoe cutting party and your old jeans can become shoes for children in Africa
* stuffed animals - check with your local police/fire department to see if they use them for emergency calls
* construction materials/items from remodel - Habitat for Humanity ReStore
* eyeglasses - can be refurbished and distributed to those in need (check your local Lions Club to find the nearest collection site)
* children's books - local libraries, teachers, or Books and a Blanket
* magazines - Meals on Wheels recipients love receiving magazines with their meals
* toiletries - hotel size toiletries are perfect to use for blessing bags or to donate to your local school food pantry (sadly, our schools are filled with homeless children - individualized sizes of shampoo/soap are great to have when they have access to school showers)
-Do you travel for work or know others that do? Will you be vacationing later this summer? Bring back your hotel toiletries and be a blessing to others! It won't cost you anything!
* extra school supplies - am I the only one who has a drawer full of unsharpened pencils?! Check with teachers (especially the older grades who tend to get forgotten) and your local Stuff the Bus project.
* old smart phones/iPods - check with teachers at a nearby school - what seems outdated and worthless to us can be put to use in a classroom
* outgrown sports equipment - check with your local sports leagues and see if there are kids in need that could benefit from your kiddos outgrown equipment
* winter coats - you might have to hold on to these till it gets cold again (hint - I bag up donations for later and put them in my attic with a sticky note on the outside then I also put a date on my calendar for later to "check attic for donations) :)
* garden produce - contact your local food bank if you have been blessed with a bountiful crop that you would like to share
* unused make-up samples - love getting the free gift but never use all the items? Why not give them to your local women's shelter?
* aluminum cans - most of us recycle but another option is to sell them and use the money to bless others
* * * * * * * * * *
If you live in or near the B/CS area, you can drop off donations at the following locations:
Aggieland Humane Society - blankets (NO comforters, pillows, or sheets, please!!!)
Books and a Blanket - accepts new blankets, crates, books-both
new and gently used. Please contact booksandablanket@gmail.com
for drop off locations.
Brazos Valley Food Bank - in addition to canned food, donations of diapers, paper
towels, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products
Bryan/College Station Public Library System - accepts books, audiobooks, magazines and videos. Donations can be dropped off at the Mounce
Library in Bryan or the Ringer Library in College Station.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore - acceptable donations include items of building
materials, appliances, furniture, and home decor.
Meals on Wheels - magazines
Texas A&M Vet School Dean's Office - accepts gently loved stuffed animals for
their yearly Open House (donations not being accepted till February 2016)
the Princess Project of Bryan/College Station - donated formal/semi-formal dresses
Twin City Mission's Resale Stores - an outlet to donate good used clothes and
household items*
Alice's Attic, 424 N. Main, Downtown
Bryan (hours Mon-Sat 9am-5pm)
Second Chance I, 803 Wellborn Road,
College Station (hours Mon-Sat 9am-6pm)
Second Chance II, 3808 Old College,
Bryan (hours Mon-Sat 10am-6pm)
Second Chance III, 218 W. Washington,
Navasota (hours Wed-Sat 9:30am-5pm)
*Some
donated items help stock the Community Closet and the Client Closet. These donations provide direct support to the
clients of the Homeless & Housing Services Program and the Domestic
Violence Services Program. These items
include, but are not limited to: clothing, small household items and
furniture. All items provided through
the Community Closet and the Client Closet are made available at no cost. Second Chance II is the designated donation
center for the Domestic Violence Services Program.
+ Twin
City Mission also hosts a coat and blanket drive at the end of the fall/beginning
of winter each year.
* * * * * * * * * *
I can't wait to get rid of some stuff! What about you? Do you know of other places to donate specific items? If so, share them in the comments section!
Join me on Instagram and tag your pictures with #soschallenge2015. I would love to share what you guys are doing! I love pulling inspiration from projects that others are working on so share, share, share!
I hope you'll join me!
Have a fabulous week! Gig 'em and God bless!
Holly
and come back on Wednesday for the Waiting on...Wednesday link-up - a place where you can link up what you are waiting on, going through, making, anything - as long as it's family-friendly! :)
AND...for the next 10 weeks, you can find a BONUS link-up here for summer family fun posts! There are 30 co-hosts so your post will get maximum exposure!!! Feel free to link up both days!
Be sure you check out my FAVORITE link-ups page to see where I'm linking up today. Stop by and show them some love! :)
Be sure you check out my FAVORITE link-ups page to see where I'm linking up today. Stop by and show them some love! :)
* * * * * * * * * *
Much appreciation goes out to Amanda from diary of a (semi) Health Nut for featuring week 4 of our Summer of Service challenge! Thank you so much!
One thing we donate it seems many times during the year are towels to our vet and the local doggie daycare. They are always in need of towels still in good shape for their furry friends. You have some great organizations here. We get a few free magazines (have know idea why) and I like to give those to the assisted living where a relative is. Those ladies love reading them. Some great ideas you have here Holly.
ReplyDeleteTowels had previously been listed on the animal shelter's website - not sure why they weren't on there now (maybe they had a large donation?). Towels are a great way to give - thanks for the reminder! I completely forgot about the retirement homes for magazine drop offs! The VA waiting room is also a great place to drop off magazines. Thank you for the ideas! Love having you stop by! Have a super day!
DeleteThis is such a great idea! A little giving back can go such a long way and totally brighten someone's day - I love how into it you guys are! We put together some Fourth of July bags for the local food bank this weekend and I was so happy to finally get back into it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christina! I would love to hear more about the Fourth of July bags! We are headed to the food bank tomorrow! :)
DeleteWhat a great idea, Holly!
ReplyDeleteYou are teaching your kids to be generous and helping others all at the same time! I applaud your Summer of Service idea!
And, thanks for all of your encouragement with my blog. I'm trying to start "linking up" more! Appreciate you~
Blessings,
Melanie
Thank you, Melanie! I hope these are things that our kiddos pass along to their kiddos!!!
DeleteLet me know if you need anything - happy to help! I hope you are enjoying the link-ups! It's a great way to find and connect with others who share your heart.
Have a super day!
You went to a lot of work putting this together. Thank you so much. Have you thought of writing a book? So many mothers ask me about service projects. A lot of people want to serve, they just don't know what to do. I've never thought about the free beauty supplies I get. (Even through CVS) I'm excited about that project!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pamela! It's truly a labor of love. I have people tell me all the time, "I would love to help but...". I'm just trying to share and (hopefully!) make it easier for others to help out. Lots of times people don't help because they don't know of needs. By getting the needs out there - lots of people can help. And, it's super important to realize we can give even when it doesn't seem like we have a lot (if that makes sense!). Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words!
DeleteGreat post!!! Thanks for being such great champion for others!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for your heart of service too! So fun to share this passion with others!
DeleteI did not know we had the princess project in CS!! I have two of Jordan's dresses (maybe 3) that are gorgeous and need to find a new home. This one I know I can do for sure!
ReplyDeleteI didn't either till I was looking for places to donate items in B/CS! You'll have to share more info about them.
DeleteHolly this is such a great list! Thanks for working so hard to put it together. I get tons of magazines from different people and I always take them to the local domestic violence shelter. Maybe that is another option for donating magazines and/or books.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Another awesome idea, JulieAnn! Thank you!
DeleteSuch great ideas Holly! So happy you shared them with us at Brag About It!
ReplyDelete~Laurie
Thank you, Laurie! And, thank you for hosting!
DeleteHey Holly,
ReplyDeleteI'm actually up earlier today and following after you on this link up! (A Little R & R).
I do love this idea of service that you are doing with your kids this summer. What a great way to teach them to share the love of Christ with others. And, thanks for challenging all of us to do the same.
Hope you and your family will have a wonderful day today!
And, I hope it's not too hot in Texas~
Blessings,
Melanie
Thanks, Melanie! It's so easy to get consumed with "me" thoughts (myself included) so being intentional about serving others helps. I hope you guys will join us!
Deletegreat encouragement to get others serving. We should always be ready to donate whether some object from our homes or of our time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely, Sandra! Time is one of the best (yet hardest!) things to give away! I'm so glad you stopped by! Have a super day!
DeleteThis is great!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I hope you'll join us!
DeleteI am a firm believer in paying it forward. Over the years folks have helped me out when I needed it, so I always look for ways to help others. We actually have an awesome community thrift store where I not only donate most of my clothing and household items, but I am a frequent shopper.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Lisa! Many, many years ago when my husband and I were dating, we were stuck in an airport (our plane landed at another airport so we were stuck there till someone could come pick us up). We decided to grab dinner and when we went to pay we were told that someone had paid our bill for us. This was LONG before I had ever heard of random acts of kindness and nothing like that had ever happened to me before. Needless to say, the amazing act of kindness by that stranger over 20 years ago has stuck with me and continues to inspire me to this day! Thank you for making a difference!
DeleteYou are just amazing, Holly! What a big heart you have to spend your summer servicing and teaching your kids such a valuable lesson! May you be blessed tenfolds! Thanks for linking up with Thursday Favorite Things!
ReplyDeleteI have my moments but definitely not amazing! After all these years I'm learning to listen to my heart. I get so much inspiration from others and hope that I can inspire a person or two along the way. Thanks for hosting!
DeleteWhat an awesome summer you are having! I try to keep a donation box going in my home - we do better about using at some times more than others. I love that you included a list of places that will accept different types of donations. In addition to police, many of our local animal rescues will accept stuffed animals to use with their animals.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes - we do better at some times than others - that's why I have to be intentional about it during the summer. Otherwise, I realize we haven't done anything! :/ It's nice to just toss things in the box till it gets full then sort it and donate. Great idea about the animal rescue and stuffed animals - never thought about that! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great day!
DeleteThis is so lovely! I love how you're teaching your children the joy of service.
ReplyDeleteWe always collecting stuff to donate. I love the sticky notes though... awesome!
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Thank you, Jennifer! The kiddos don't always think it's as much fun as I do - "mom, why do we have to give away our stuff?!". But, a little talk about realizing how much we have (actually how too much we have) and how we can share with others usually gets them back on board. Thanks for hosting! I'll see you next week with week 5 of #SOSchallenge2015!
DeleteI absolutely LOVE the post-it idea! I think I'm going to put some post-its in my purse next time I go to Wal-Mart. What a fun way to spread some love!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah! I tend to carry post-it notes and a Sharpie with me where ever I go - you just never know when an opportunity will pop up (or you get some kind of crazy inspiration!). :) Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great week!
DeleteHolly, I LOVE this idea! Not only the donations but leaving notes! What a great inspiration, and the best pick me up to find a little note attached to the product! I am so doing this on Monday for my trip to Walmart! Love that you shared this on MMM!
ReplyDeleteCathy@threekidsandafish{dot}com
Thank you, Cathy! You'll have to let me know how your trip to Wal-Mart goes! Thanks for hosting! I'll see you tomorrow with week 5 of the #SOSchallenge2015!
DeleteOur fave is donating diapers and clothes to crisis pregnancy centers. Great list! I've really loved your series this summer! -Jess
ReplyDeleteSweet Little Ones
Thank you, Jess! It's been fun to put together! Diapers is an awesome way to donate! That's something that is always, always needed! Great idea!
DeleteThese services are instilling great values within your kids. The donations to every organization you listed will bless someone in some way. Thank you for thinking of our educators. We are always in need of school supplies to give to our students in need.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet words! We're trying to do what we can to serve and give back. I hope you have a fabulous day! Thanks for stopping by!!!
Delete