What to do with....? Donating/Recycling Obscure Items

Plastic grocery bags: Donate these to animal shelters for litter and dog poop scooping.

Prom dresses, bridesmaid gowns, or other formal dresses and gowns: Donate to the Glass Slipper Project (glassslipperproject.org).


Eyeglasses: Lions Clubs International operates what may be the largest used eyeglass collection program in the U.S. In 2004, the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers reported a collection of nearly 5.5 million pairs of eyeglasses, distributed to nearly 3 million people worldwide. All types of eyeglasses and sunglasses, prescription and non-prescription, are acceptable. Reading glasses are also very useful because many recipients are in need of visual correction to help them perform close-up tasks. Sunglasses are needed by people living near the equator in order to shield their eyes from the sun's damaging rays.
Most local Lions Clubs have collection boxes at various community offices and businesses. In the Chicago area, many organizations collect glasses for the Lions. The Lions have also established partnerships with Goodwill Industries and LensCrafters (which works through its charitable foundation, Give the Gift of Sight). Both have eyeglass drop-off boxes in all of their stores.


Business Clothing for Women in Transition:
Bridge to Success
661 West Lake Street, 3rd Floor South
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: 312-715-1259
Fax: 312-715-1307
svanveen@heartlandalliance.org
www.thebridgetosuccess.org



Shoes: Share Your Soles sends shoes around the world to desperately impoverished people around the world. Shoes are professionally washed and polished before sending. Boots and winter shoes are sent to Indian Reservations and Appalachia. Sandas and athletic shoes are sent to Central America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. Dress and school shoes go anywhere children need shoes to be able to attend school.

http://www.shareyoursoles.org
Send shoes to
Share Your Soles
Processing Center
11801 S. Central Ave. (Rear)
Alsip, IL 60803

Need an Excuse to Declutter? Join Me for a Treasure Hunt!

A lot of clients assume that I must have the neatest, most clutter-free home. Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not immune to collecting clutter. I am, however, committed to living as simply as possible. I don't like getting bogged down in clutter, so I make regular trips to various places around the city to drop off donations. I'm not worried about "needing it someday." Living without clutter right now is better than living for "someday."

A client recently told me that a friend of hers makes regular shipments to the Philippines which are dispersed to various charities there. I didn't realize the Philippines were so in need, but according to this woman, who is from Mindanao, the rural areas are extremely poor. In fact, she even sends basic food supplies like rice and corn meal, because even these are lacking there.

So I am initiating a collection of items in good condition to be sent: clothing, especially men's, unopened over the counter medications, sneakers and shoes, pots and pans, kids' school supplies, crayons and colored pencils, and anything else you think wouldn't create landfill or environmental hazards. Even though I regularly clean out my clutter, I went on a treasure hunt throughout the house and collected 2 big bags filled with clothes and shoes, towels, a wool blanket, greeting cards and note paper, pens and pencils, and other things.

Would you like to join me on the treasure hunt? If you'd like to make a donation to be sent to the Philippines, contact me and we'll figure out how to get the stuff to this person to be sent. Weight is no issue as they have special big cargo boxes that can be filled for a flat $40 to the Philippines, regardless of weight. And if you'd like to sponsor the cost of shipment, that would be fabulous! Please email me at debramichaud@hotmail.com, or you can call me at 773.343.2939. Thanks!