Just wanted to share something with you all:

I'm giving this dress away.
I know, big deal, huh?

But it is a big deal, because there is a network of folks just giving things away according to peoples' needs, and they're doing it just because they can.

Not for a tax writeoff.

Not for something in return.

Not even for some kind of charity drive.

They are doing this just because they can, just because they want to, and because they know it will help people out. Picture something like eBay, (but with less stuff) and everything is free. Not a huge, come and take it all yard sale mess, but an individually posted, caring connection of person to person.

Someone, somewhere will wear this dress to prom, saving herself about a hundred dollars that she may not even have. That's better than sitting in my closet, perfect and unused.

Not only does this repurposing help financial need, it is good for our world. Reusing things can cut down our carbon footprint, a little bit at a time.

And there's the people element to an organization like this: who knows what kind of person will come to my house to pick this up? Maybe she will be the ray of sunshine that I could use on a depressed day, or maybe I can be that to her. Who knows what could happen? Imagine all of the personal connections that could be made if everyone could share what they don't use anymore. No Goodwill, no Wal-Mart, no classified ads.

So check this website out, guys, because its great. Twoshirts.org. Spread the word. Give. Change the world.

Peace to you all.

Labels: change, charitable giving, dress, giving, Goodwill, organization, people, poor, recycling, repurposing, reuse, walmart, world

Don't you hate it when the Salvation Army bell ringers change shifts while you're shopping? You toss them a five on the way in, thanked by a shivering smile and nod...

You do your shopping, wander back outside and notice the ting-a-ling-ling getting just a bit more vigorous with the door opening. Complacent, almost smug in the fact that you've already given, you move your head to nod in the direction of the red-clad Army ringer. But- it isn't the same guy! It isn't even a guy this time, but a stout, grim-faced woman, intent on getting a donation from you.

Your mind whirls frantically- maybe you should have given after your shopping instead of before. Maybe you should just give a dollar (or a quarter, depending on what miserable retail job employs you this year) on your way in but save another dollar (or quarter) for the way out. Maybe you should forgo charitable donations altogether and invest in Google stock. Maybe you should make a mad dash for the ringing bell, scaring the woman into submission.
You glance at her again, facing the gimlet eye directly. She has sized you up- the iPod, the leather jacket, the cell phone attached to your ear. Surely you could afford a dollar to drop in the little red slot. You attempt a smile, duck your head, pretend to dig in an empty pocket.
You've made it past, your car is even visible from here. It's all behind you now, and you've vowed once again not to let it bother your soul. The car clicks comfortingly as the doors unlock, the doors that were locked to protect against people such as the red donation buckets go to help. You toss your packages into the trunk and are just about to slide in your seat when a voice rings out somewhere behind you, in the distance,

"Merry Christmas!"

Labels: charitable giving, Christmas, salvation army, shopping