Tag: clothing donations

Gearing Up for America’s 250th Birthday

Posted on by Jordank

#America is about to #celebrate its 250th birthday. It’s the anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and its subsequent reading in each of the 13 original colonies — a momentous event in the history of the world.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That call was truly revolutionary — a radical shift away from the top-down monarchies of the past that eventually helped cement democratic rule in nations throughout the world. That’s something to celebrate.

Planned observations may not rival the Bicentennial’s 200-year celebration, when kids (including your author) painted their fire hydrants red, white and blue; Johnny Cash served as Grand Marshal of a huge parade in the nation’s capital; and the Freedom Train roamed the country.

But there are still plenty of ways to observe Independence Day with reverence and patriotism. You can celebrate by learning about some of the courageous individuals who contributed to the United States’ separation from Britain; kids will find their stories inspiring and you’ll have conversational tidbits for your next cookout and fireworks display.

America 250 is inviting communities to join America’s Block Party, a two-day festival with a flagship live event in Los Angeles starring Queen Latifah, Chris Stapleton and The Smashing Pumpkins. The party will promote a Giving 4th, a new tradition created to make Independence Day an annual day of #charitable #giving.

Speaking of charitable giving, there may be no better way to honor #freedom and #liberty than to #donate to the #veterans who fought to preserve it. ClothingDonations.org makes it easy by #picking up lightly used goods and reselling them to fund valuable #veterans programs throughout the country.

Whatever you choose to do in #celebration — be it a #parade, fireworks/drone display, cookout or a day of rest — you will be exercising those inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Have a safe and happy Fourth!

Making Remembrance Personal on Memorial Day

Posted on by Jordank

#Memorial Day is often seen as an excuse for a #cookout, but it is an occasion to #honor those who died in active military service. To honor the legacy of a loved one who died in service, intentionally remember that person by browsing old photographs, reading a letter they wrote or sharing their story, says Modern Heirloom Books. “If they are buried in a military cemetery, consider visiting their grave to leave flowers or a flag. You might also take a moment of silence or raise a toast in their honor during a family gathering. Small acts of #remembrance help keep their legacy alive.” #MemorialDay

Memorial Day Is a Testament to Service

Posted on by Jordank

Memorial Day — celebrated this year on Monday, May 25 — is a holiday dedicated to #honoring U.S. military personnel who died in service. Observe it with a moment of silence during the National Moment of #Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time, a visit to a local #memorial or cemetery, or by learning about the fallen at the National Archives. You may wish to #donate to a military or veteran service organization such as the Vietnam Veterans of America directly or through ClothingDonations.org. But don’t wish people a “Happy” Memorial Day since it is meant to be a solemn occasion. #MemorialDay

Moms May Be the Ultimate Organizers

Posted on by Jordank

As families around the country prepare to celebrate #moms on May 10, one thing that we should remember is that a lot of #mothers take charge of housekeeping and #organization. #Minimalist or not, it takes special skills to manage a home.

Maybe they’re born with it? The Organizing Blog’s #mom certainly was, sorting #stuff until only a small and tidy collection of essentials remained in every category of possession — clothing, jewelry, appliances, books, etc. — and encouraging us kids to do the same.

#Organized moms have some similarities, says Mother Like a Boss. They have a routine and stick to it. They get ready first. They do laundry every day. They #clean often. They say no. They #delegate tasks and accept help.

These moms avoid procrastination. If they can do something in the moment, they do it instead of telling themselves that there will be a better time. And finally, they #declutter often and “for maximum organization.”

“Put it on the calendar, have a set day or do it at the same time daily. I have said it many times, decluttering is like showering: You can’t just do it once and expect it to stick. It has to become a part of your life and routine.”

A schedule and delegation can get family members to contribute, adds This Crafty Home. And #mothers who appreciate the power of #decluttering should see nothing wrong in asking for a little help — after all, it’s their #clutter, too!

Real moms — even new moms — swear by bins and organizers that help contain the #clutter, says Registry Finder. When #stuff has a home within the home, there’s less chance for it to get strewn around and create chaos.

#Organized moms keep a #donation box nearby when going through things to streamline the #decluttering process. And they know to contact ClothingDonations.org to arrange a #free #pickup for the goods they no longer need when those boxes fill up.

They also know that #organization is a process, not a one-time event. Happy Mother’s Day!

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day Through Service

Posted on by Jordank

Earth Day is coming up on April 22, and thousands of events worldwide are scheduled to celebrate and protect the only planet we have. While progress has been made since the first Earth Day in 1970, the grassroots effort is ongoing.

This year’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” stressing the fact that the need to protect the land, air and water transcends election cycles or political affiliations. It is “a responsibility and a long-term investment” for everyone, says EarthDay.org.

The environment has a powerful impact on human health, economic security and quality of life; protecting it is a matter of survival. Individual, local and community actions often have a payoff that extends to real change.

What can you do? You can attend one of the more than 9,000 Earth Day events worldwide to learn more about environmental protection, join a community cleanup or plant a tree. You can organize an event, teach-in or trash pickup. You can host an Earth Day movie night.

If you can’t observe Earth Day in person, there are plenty of ways to spread the word about environmental protection and climate resiliency. You can share climate facts on social media, contact your representative to support Earth-friendly legislation or shop a farmers market.

You can hold a #clothing swap to reduce the waste of fast fashion. Or you can #donate a few of your unused #garments and other household items to ClothingDonations.org by arranging a #free #donation pickup. People can reuse the goods and keep them landfills.

Or you can simply visit a park or go for a hike to remind yourself that there is only one Earth, and it’s up to everyone to protect it. Remember to leave no trace of your visit — or better still, pick up any litter you see.

While we celebrate Earth Day every April, protecting the planet is an ongoing process built upon awareness-building and millions of individual acts of service. Get started and get involved to lend your efforts.