Clothing Drives Clothing Drives C
Higher quality clothes can be donated and resold. Professional clothing can be dropped off at a charity, like Work- ing Wardrobes, where it can be given to someone who is having a tough time entering the workforce because he or she cannot afford a proper outfit for an interview. Other clothing that is in good enough condition for resale can be dropped off or picked up by a num- ber of charities that will ultimately use the money generated from the sales to support a number of projects designed to help the disabled, homeless, etc.
Clothing that is not in great condition because of stains, rips, wear or just bad fashion is a bit trickier to donate. Most donated clothing falls into this category and will need to be recycled and most likely used again in indus- trial applications. Other clothing will be bundled up and sold cheaply by the pound to private businesses that will then sell it to buyers in third- world countries. This is a controver- sial practice, as some believe that the availability of cheap imports (with first-world brand names) is harmful to the local economy. If you do not want the clothes or shoes to be part of this cycle, you can contact your local trash collection company and deter- mine if they accept textiles and shoes in the recycling bin. Most do, as long as they are placed in separate bags in the bin. Additionally, if you have a large amount of donations, you can sell them to a recycler, but you may be surprised by how little value these items really have.
Organizing a clothing drive is fairly easy. You can pass out and post fly- ers and send emails explaining where the drop-off location(s) will be set up. Clubhouses or a volunteer’s home can be used for drop-off locations. Many charities will even pick up your dona- tions from these locations.
Community Clean-Up
Community Clean-Up
The California coast welcomes many visitors from around the globe, year after year. This tourism can take a ma- jor toll on our beaches and bays when the accumulated trash is not properly disposed of and can jeopardize the habitat. In other recreational areas, removing invasive weeds and trash, and planting more territory-friendly plants will make for a few hours well- spent in the sun.
As a community, being able to help clean our beaches makes for a great beach day filled with opportunities to get to know your fellow neighbors. All it takes is some pre-planning for carpooling and organization with a lo- cal non-profit like the Surfrider Foun- dation. Groups can even get together to establish a new hiking trail with the help of the municipal city park and recreation department.
A Day at the Food Bank A Da y at the F ood Bank
The Chapter has been volunteering at the Orange County Food Bank for over a decade now. You can schedule your own community volunteer day with them directly, or try Second Har- vest Food Bank, too. These organiza- tions provide vital food supplies to a number of charities throughout the County and also directly deliver to the working poor. Are you concerned
that you won’t have enough volunteers to work the assembly line? It is not a problem. In fact, even one person can show up at a food bank and be put to work. Of course if you have 50 volun- teers you will make more of an impact. Working at the food bank is a fantas- tic way to get to know your neighbors, get some exercise and feel great about what you just did to make a real differ- ence in a stranger’s life.
Consider a food, toiletry and house- hold supply drive in conjunction with your day volunteering at the food bank. You can even make a contest out of the food drive, with the household donating the most or heaviest items receiving a gift card donated by a local business.
There are numerous actions we can take as community leaders to help the less fortunate and our habitat. Many will say, “What will I really help with? I am only one person!” But every little thing adds up and collectively we can accomplish great things together. The added bonus is that outreach events will grow the ca- maraderie in your association. With an emphasis on helping others, what better way to shape the relationships in your community?
This article was written and submitted by the CAI-OC Outreach Committeec.
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