Tag: donation

Embrace Simplicity During Lent and Ramadan

Posted on by Jordank

The season of repentance arrives for approximately 3 billion people this week. Christians and Muslims throughout the world will begin observing the traditions of Lent and Ramadan Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 by engaging in fasting, prayer and abstinence.

If you’ve ever wondered why the observances are so similar, it’s because the two religions trace their origins to the mystical experiences and religious quests of Abraham. Lent commemorates the 40 days the Hebrews spent in the desert; the month-long Ramadan recalls the moment God revealed the Koran to the prophet Mohammed and follows the broader theological principle of advancing toward holiness on a pilgrimage.

Whatever religion you practice, the season invites everyone to embrace #simplicity. Even if you aren’t observant of a major religion, the monthlong or 40-day timeline can support you in your efforts to be more sensible, healthy, penitent and/or #organized.

Lenten sacrifice calls for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. You may be familiar with the season’s abstinence from eating meat (particularly on Fridays) or individual choices such as abstinence from temptations such as chocolate, alcohol, television or gossip. Almsgiving includes #charity in many forms, including #donations of money, services and goods.

Similarly, Ramadan suggests that Muslims strengthen their connections with Allah by practicing selflessness. “Through acts of charity, Muslims express gratitude for their blessings and demonstrate compassion towards others, embodying the values of empathy and kindness,” says Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation.

For Christians, Muslims and anyone else who feels beset by #clutter, we offer a simple strategy to add to the calendar: #Clean out a #closet, drawer or other #household space and #donate any #extra #stuff to  ClothingDonations.org. You can feel good that the simple act of almsgiving will go toward programs that help #veterans in need.

Whatever else you choose to do during the season of Lent and Ramadan, make a #donation! Whether or not it is part of your religious observance, it will help you embrace a more ascetic and sustainable existence.

African Americans and the Vietnam War

Posted on by Jordank

It’s Black History Month — a great time to remember that African Americans have served honorably in the U.S. military for as long as there has been a U.S. military. But service often meant fighting for one’s country even while being denied equal rights at home.

More than 300,000 Black Americans fought in the #Vietnam War, making up an outsized share of those drafted (16.3%) compared to representation in the general U.S. population (11%). Black soldiers were more often assigned to combat duty in Vietnam and less likely to be elevated to command roles.

Fighting shoulder-to-shoulder in desegregated units for the first time in Vietnam often helped build camaraderie among the troops, regardless of racial and ethnic differences. But most Black #veterans recall discrimination during and after their service.

Upon being drafted or enlisting, “Black soldiers were immediately faced with discrimination and racism during basic training, which typically took place in the Jim Crow South,” an article in Time magazine says. “The racism was there: It was real and felt between soldiers.”

After the war, Black veterans suffered disproportionately high rates of PTSD and were twice as likely as white veterans to lack full-time employment. Veterans Affairs often routinely denied Black veterans’ claims for disability benefits even through the 1970s.

Institutional and interpersonal barriers have since eroded with no small amount of struggle. Military service is now regarded as a viable career option among African Americans; today, they make up one-quarter of enlisted Army soldiers while making up 13% of the population.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and its local chapters support all veterans of all U.S. conflicts by helping with benefits claims and connecting them with health care and mental health care services, housing and job assistance, and much more. And it does this with your help!

You can easily support the nation’s #veterans by clearing out some of your #clutter and scheduling a #free #donation #pickup with ClothingDonations.org. Your lightly used clothing and household goods will be resold to #support programs that #veterans rely on nationwide.

Celebrate Black History Month with a #donation! You’ll #support veterans and eliminate some of the #stuff you don’t need at the same time. #BlackHistoryMonth

The Holidays Are Coming in Hot

Posted on by Jordank

It happens every year — no sooner do the leaves start to turn and suddenly, it’s the #holiday season. This year, however, the #holidays are coming in particularly hot, so you can strap in for a wild couple of months of entertaining, socializing and shopping.

If you think that calendar “creep” is getting worse, you aren’t imagining it. “‘Summerween’ became a July phenom, pumpkin spice lattés launched at Starbucks in August, and Hallmark kicked off its Christmas movie hype in September,” says the advertising blog Muse by Clios.

With the economy on shaky ground and inflation on the rise, advertisers are focusing on value. You may have less money, time and energy to spread around during the season, not to mention fewer days to shop after a late Thanksgiving. How will you handle the season without succumbing to stress?

First, manage expectations of yourself, says UC Davis Health. Don’t overschedule. Calendar events and list your responsibilities. Simplify travel plans to reduce the time spent in cars and airports. Take a break when you fell stressed from #shopping, #cooking and #cleaning.

To stay within budget, manage your gift-giving. You don’t have to spend money you don’t have or give every single person you know a gift. You may be able to make some of the gifts you give or #thrift a few items at a discount. Crafting or baking homemade goods might even become a holiday tradition!

Make a list and check it twice, says the American Bankers Association. Note the people for whom you plan to buy, what your price range is and a few ideas for gifts. Look for bargains on the targeted gifts and (try to) resist impulse buying onscreen and in stores.

The holidays are also a season for giving to charity. About 1 million #veterans nationwide rely on SNAP benefits, which were recently interrupted; you can #donate to the local food bank to help solve some of that food insecurity at least temporarily.

You can also schedule a #donation #pickup at ClothingDonations.org to benefit #veterans at any time of year. Your lightly used #clothing and #household goods will be resold to fund programs that target food and housing insecurity, veteran health care, and more.

We’re in the thick of the holiday season already, but don’t stress. Get #organized — sort out what you need to do and tackle those essential tasks one by one. Then, kick back and enjoy!

Beat the Holiday Shopping Crowds

Posted on by Jordank

With prices rising rapidly and the #holidays on the horizon, you might want to start #shopping early. Stock up on any ingredients you might need for your #fall feasts and baking before the supplies run out, and hit the malls ahead of the crowds. You can #save #money and beat the rush by looking for lightly used cold-weather gear such as sweaters and coats (and maybe a few #gifts) at the local #thrift and #secondhand stores supplied by your generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org now. Resale proceeds go toward the support of valuable #veterans programs nationwide. #FallActivities

Inexpensive and Fun Fall Activities

Posted on by Jordank

You don’t have to break the bank to have a little #fall fun. Cheap or free things to do include taking a nature walk; spending a day at the local café or reading a book; having a spooky-seasonal movie night; whipping up a batch of soup, chili or cookies; crafting; or playing a game of touch football. Another great thing to do is overhaul your #clothing closets and dresser drawers to meet the cooler weather efficiently. “It’s a wonderful time of year to #donate clothes to those in need,” says The Every Girl. “Spend a weekend getting recentered for a new season and give back at the same time.” #FallActivities