Image courtesy of Unsplash and Kelly Sikkema
As many of you know, over the past year I have been speaking at Touchmark in Vancouver, Washington. Now, I am contributing to their monthly e-newsletter. Here’s the article I wrote for Touchmark at Fairway Village’s November e-newsletter: Simplify Your Home – and Change a Life!
As the colder weather sets in YOU can make a difference in someone’s life simply by pruning out things you’re not using and giving well. There are many less fortunate ones in our communities, and – through simplifying – we can meet their needs. How’s that for motivation to get organized?!
Many rescue missions and shelters need blankets, comforters, towels and sheets for their increased overnight guests. So open your linen closet, bathroom cabinets, and hall closets and set aside linens you’re not using.
Other commonly-needed items are winter coats, gloves, scarves, and rain jackets. Gather any cold-weather gear you can spare. After all, the outerwear that is clogging up our closets could stave off the chill for others.
Many of us collect hygiene items from hotels when we travel, like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. We then store them for infrequent “guest use.” So, add these toiletries to your “donate” bag.
Lastly, itemize your list of donated goods and take to your favorite shelter or schedule a pick-up of items. The Salvation Army has a wonderful Donation Value Guide our professional organizers use often on their website at www.satruck.org.
Vicki Norris, President of Restoring Order®, is a nationally-recognized organizing expert, author, and speaker. Her team of professional organizers serves home and business clients in Washington and Oregon. You can watch her organizing segments on KPTV’s Fox 12 “More Good Day Oregon.”
Click here to download the PDF version
Related
- Learn more about hiring Restoring Order to help in your home or business
- Check out our Organizing Books and DVDs for do-it-yourself help
- Learn about other ways to give well
