I’m on a mission to declutter my house this summer. Not unlike my New Year’s resolutions, I’ve watched that commitment come and go more than a few times before. But this time I’m trying harder, and I know I’m not alone in my dilemma. I’ve driven past plenty of neighborhood garages around town that have everything except cars stuffed in them.
My husband would prefer that I jettison in bulk, either by throwing it all into a giant garbage bag or setting fire to it outside.
I’m trying to follow the dictum of getting rid of one old thing every time something new comes in – much easier said than done, because let’s face it, shopping is way more fun than cleaning. Plus, procrastination and ADD are not a recipe for domestic efficiency.
But I’m not about to just throw out perfectly good clothes, books, lamps or other items just because I don’t need them any more or the kids grew out of them two years ago. I want to do what’s environmentally and socially responsible and donate the proper things to the proper charities, of which Fayette County has quite a few.
The trick, however, is in both the selecting and the sorting. Once I find the time and motivation to dive into a closet and assemble of pile of stuff, it has to be subdivided into categories for children, women, household, etc. And it has to go by season: sweaters and Christmas decorations have nowhere to go until October, and sundresses don’t have many takers in February.
Items also have to be cleaned, which means dividing into more laundry piles and/or dusting and wiping. You have to be respectful of the people who will be buying and using your things; nobody wants dirty castoffs.
Next you must decide who gets what. Sure, you could take it all to one place, and I have nothing against larger charities, but there are also specialty thrift stores around Fayette with different beneficiaries. Some prefer specific things, while others will take anything. Some cater to certain genders and/or ages. And if there’s a particular cause close to your heart, chances are there’s a local thrift shop to match.
For example, the Wellspring store near the Peachtree City-Fayette County line sells clothes, furniture and household items whose proceeds help victims of sexual abuse. Fayette Youth Protection Homes runs Gracie’s Closet, which needs clothing for children living in foster care. Linda’s Attic in Fayetteville donates funds to cancer charities, and the Second Chance store in Brooks allocates parts of its proceeds to mission projects.
The Real Life Store in Tyrone supports the Real Life Center’s holistic care for local families, and the Harvest Thrift Store in Fayetteville offers clothing and furniture (as well as a food bank) to those in need. The huge Clothes Less Traveled thrift shop in Peachtree City gives thousands of dollars to a variety of local charities each year.
Come fall, there will be more opportunities to donate items to humane society yard sales, school band fundraisers and the like. If I were truly organized, I might find a spot for year-round sorting, but for now most of it takes place on my bedroom floor and in the hallway.
But I’m trying harder. Each step closer to the door is a good thing, and getting it done to help others in need is the best thing of all.
Jill Howard Church has lived in Fayette County since 1994. Reach her at jillptcblog@aol.com.
