Snowed In and Prepping for a Week of Giving

I’m not sure where you live, but I’m in Northwest Indiana and we are getting hammered with snow.  Since I stocked up on a food yesterday and I work from home, I actually enjoy the snow and don’t mind the inches and inches Linus, I guess they name snowstorms, is bringing to my backyard. 

Since I’m stuck I the house and won’t be venturing out anytime soon I thought I would spend time getting organized for the week, going through mail, paying bills, meal planning, laundry and yes prepping for my daily gifts.  Many days I don’t have a plan for my gifts, but projects are starting to pile up and I need to get them moving out of my house and helping others!  I love the fact that everywhere I look a gift is sitting, waiting to be given.  It is my hope that one day your gift giving journey starts to constantly overflow with abundance to others, if it isn't already. 

So what kinds of gifts am I working on for the week?

1.       My Godson’s birthday was back in October and I totally forgot to get him a gift.  I think I was out of town the weekend of his birthday and it just slipped my mind.  He doesn't need any toys so he’ll be getting money for his college fund. 

2.       I've spent time writing thank you cards to clients for their business and friends who have helped us through the difficult time of losing our beloved dog Boss.  Always remember to say thanks!

3.       Wrote a card that I’ll be sending to a client. It’s a note of encouragement with a positive quote.  A little something to brighten his week!

4.       Set bags of towels, linens and blankets out for the animal shelter.  Over Christmas break I cleaned out my linen closet and found a ton of stuff we weren't using.  I knew the local animal shelters uses these types of items so I bagged them up and loaded them in my car. Then I posted about this on Facebook and one of my friends commented that her friend’s son was collecting these items to donate to the shelter on Valentine ’s Day. This is a win win for me. I don’t have to make a trip to the shelter, but I can help this little boy in his giving journey. 

5.       Wrote my annual check to Public Library Friends so I can renew my membership to the Friends of the Porter County Library System.  Last year the Friends provided almost $40,000 to the libraries to help with the purchase of new materials, pay for summer reading programs, purchase magazines and software, and provide scholarships to staff working on their library degree.  I love the library and can’t help but support!

Are you working on any gifts for today?  If so, please share!  I love getting ideas from others.

I’m taking a break and going to go play in the snow! 

Blessings,

Stephanie

Tips for donating clothing and coats this winter to shelters

Today my Gift Idea of the Day came from a friend who posted on her FB page that she was cleaning out her coat closet to donate coats to the local shelter.  This is a wonderful idea!

Over the years I have had the privilege of volunteering with many organizations that house and help the homeless.  Every organization is different in how they operate and what donations they will accept.

Here are some tips for donating your clothing and coats this year:

1.       Search your closets for gently used clothes that you haven’t worn in awhile or that doesn’t fit.  Something that you consider no longer useful may be considered valuable by someone else.

2.       Check for stains, holes and other defects.  You want what you are donating to be able to be worn and to make those wearing the clothes feel good about themselves. Rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t wear it. Don’t donate it!

3.       Check the pockets of the items you are donating for personal items, money and other valuables.

4.       Wash the clothes and make sure they are clean and fresh.

5.       Identify the shelter where you want to donate your clothing/coat items.

6.       Verify the shelter is taking clothing and coat donations.  You can either do this by calling your local shelter or check their website.  For instance, in my community the local men’s shelter takes clothing and coat donations but the women’s shelter does not as they receive their clothing donations from local resale shops.

7.       If they accept donations, verify collection dates and times. 

8.       If they don’t accept clothing donations, either locate another shelter accepting donations or donate to a resale shop that donates their profits and clothing to shelters.

These are just a few tips I thought of off the top of my head this morning.  Please share other ideas and recommendations for donating clothing. I love learning from others!

Blessings,

Stephanie

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