Help others, simply by cleaning out your closet

When I was growing up, we had “summer clothes” and “winter clothes.” One set would be in your bureau and closet, and the other would be in the suitcases under the basement stairs. You know the ones, the heavy Samsonites with the plastic handles and flip up latches that popped when you slid the button.

They somehow always managed to get pushed to the back and it was an all day event to move the Christmas decorations and old toys that “might be worth something one day” just to try to get a t-shirt because it was a random 80 degrees in April.

Now Tony on the other hand, he just has “clothes.” It’s utter organizational anarchy! Short sleeves hanging with long sleeves, jeans and sweatpants with gym shorts, winter caps with baseball caps…we’re talking disaster of biblical proportions! Real Old Testament stuff! Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies, rivers and seas boiling, dogs and cats living together!!! Oh wait, that’s Ghostbusters.

Let’s just say that I am better than I used to be and he is very forgiving of my organizational quirks. …Ok, so I might be a little Type A and set in my ways. But my point is, I have always had very little space. So part of being mindful of that space is learning how to be a purger. A declutter-er if you will. Not compulsively or anything, I just like to stay on top of things.

So every Spring and Fall begins the shift of the clothes. For me, they just switch out in the top of my closet, which is a lot easier to get to than behind the Christmas tree and a big bulky Tonka truck.

I am all about re-purpose, reuse, recycle, so unless things are too worn or have holes, I try to donate as much as I can. I will go through each piece, and unless it is something spectacular…which is rarely the case in my closet…if I haven’t worn it that season, it goes in the donation bag.

**TIP** One way to make this easier in your closet, is to hang everything at the beginning of the season backwards. Have the hangers facing out instead of in. As you use items, rehang them correctly, with hangers facing in. When it’s time to switch the next season over, you will know at a glance all of the clothes that you didn’t wear. Pull them off the hanger and put into the donation bag!

For me, it starts by emptying my closet and dresser onto my bed. Then, I ask myself a variety of questions…

• Does it fit?
• Have I worn it this season?
• Would I still buy it if I saw it now?
• Do I like the way it looks on me?
• Is it damaged?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, I goes in the donate pile. Except for damaged of course. If a garment is damaged, repurpose it for something else instead of donating. (**TIP old t-shirts and socks make great dust rags!) Or, this Good Housekeeping article has some great DIY projects that you can use them for. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/craft-ideas/g4281/old-clothes-diy-projects/

But to do with that pile when you’re finished? I used to take items to a pretty standard donation facility, that I won’t name and I won’t speak negatively of because they do a lot of good for a lot of people. However, I learned that they do a lot of good for their executives too, so I revisited my options. There are so many choices now when it comes to re-purposing clothes that you no longer want.

Purple Heart, run by the Military Order of the Purple heart, relies on the donation of clothing and household items. These are then turned into usable funds to help and provide services for combat-wounded veterans and their families. All you have to do is call them to schedule a pickup. (they will also take car donations!)

AMVETS operates nationwide thrift stores that use proceed to help veterans with claims and compensation in receiving promised government benefits for them and their family. They’ve been helping since 1948. 

Big Brother Big Sister Foundation also operate through the profits of thrift stores. Their mentoring programs help community children from ages 6-18.

This time, I chose to try to donate locally and used a drop box provided by The Klein’s ShopRite of Maryland Charitable Fund. They provide direct support to not-for-profit organizations throughout Harford County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City Maryland. So I felt good about helping in my own back yard. Ask around to find organizations that help in your community.

Or, what about donating them to a local shelter? Homeless and Crisis Shelters in your area are just a phone call away to tell you what items they might be in need of. Social Services can even point you in the right direction. Remember that some of the women in a Women’s shelter may have fled a dangerous situation with only the clothes on their back.

And don’t forget about our animal friends! Many animal shelters and rescues take donations of old blankets and towels. Call your local SPCA or Humane Society for information.

We are entering the season of thankfulness and giving. And I can’t think of a better way to start than to recognize just how many blessings we have been given and use them to help others.

Do you have organizations that you regularly support with donations or are their some that you can recommend to us? Leave us a message in the comments or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.