Where Can I Donate This?

Part of my job, as an organizer, is to know where things can go - even when they're leaving your space. Most of know about what has become standard donation places: Good Will, The Salvation Army and those drop-off boxes that dot parking lots. But, sometimes we want to pass along something more unique than old kitchen dishes or jeans we don't wear anymore. Where to bring those things so they're put to great use? Here are some good places to start*:

  • Furniture: Divine Consign in Oak Park, IL features modern furniture on consignment, as well as housewares.
  • Architectural Pieces: The ReBuilding Exchange in Chicago, IL will accept donations of doors, windows and other reclaimed building materials.
  • Cameras: KEH Camera will even buy old cameras!
  • Computers: PCs for Schools will accept electronics, whether working or not, to be properly recycled, wiped clean and refurbished for underfunded schools.
  • China and Crystal: Replacements, Ltd. will buy pieces, even if you don't have a full set!
  • Linens: Animal shelters usually take sheets and blankets to help line crates and beds for our fuzzy friends.
  • Books: While Open Books will take any book in sellable condition, SCARCE's Book Rescue will also accept books that are torn, mildewed and worse for wear.
  • Hazardous Waste: The state will tell you where/when to go in your area.
  • Stuffed Animals: Many donation centers no longer accept stuffed animals due to bed bugs, lice and general spread of germs; however, Stuffed Animals for Emergencies does!
  • Eyeglasses: Almost all eyeglass stores now have collection bins so old frames and lenses can be reused for the less-fortunate.
  • Instruments: Hungry for Music provides instruments to underprivileged children who want to learn to play.
  • Wine Corks: Time to get rid of that collections that has only been collecting dust the past decade? Yemm & Hart will take them!
  • Latex Paint: In case someone else likes that color still, send it along to Earth Paints.
  • All Things Baby: Swap.com will buy, sell and trade all things for the little ones running around.
  • Everything Else: Zealous Good will match your items up with someone who needs them; FreeCycle is a way to get rid of anything for free; and Earth 911 will help you figure out where to take items and what can be done with them to keep things out of landfills.
If there's something in particular you're looking to pass along, feel free to let me know. I'm happy to put you in touch with the right group!

*This listing is not an endorsement of any of the charities or businesses listed, but rather meant as an informational listing to aid in your own search.

A Disorganized Computer

In today's world, we are behind a screen more than ever. A computer, a tablet, a phone, a TV. I'd bet, half the time, there's even more than one screen within eye-shot at any given moment, too. So, how does this effect our sense of organization - or disorganization?

Most working in the corporate world are relaying information and documents electronically more than on paper. So, even if our paper piles are organized, thinned out and properly filed away, it does little good if we rarely refer back to those files.

Take a look at your email inbox. Take a look at your computer files.


Is your desktop covered in icons? Some of which you don't know where they came from or what they do? If you're looking for a document stored on your computer, are you looking in multiple places because you don't know where it was electronically filed? Wait....do you even have files on your computer?

Treat your electronic documents and bits of information as you would pieces of mail, documents laying on your desk and post-it notes around the house. Categorize all those pieces of information in a way that makes sense for the user. [This becomes more of a challenge on multiple-user systems, but is still very doable]. Are these dream vacation ideas? Then maybe you need a file on your system called "Dream Vacation." Or, if there are lots of vacation-related items, some of which you've taken, maybe a "Vacation" file is more appropriate, with internal files for each trip.

Sure, it's easy to put a word or two in the search bar and see if the right document pops up. But, isn't it easier every single time to know the title of a document and where to find it? Think of all the time you'll save! The frustration you'll save!

Now, all you have to do is find the computer underneath all those papers!

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