I was trying to decide who this week’s recipient should be, when yesterday’s “Get Rid of It” post gave me a wonderful idea…
See, I was thinking about clutter all day. I was thinking that on top of all the rich blessings that come from releasing old things, there is another blessing just as wonderful: We get to give it someone who really wants it! How great is that?
And the timing could not possibly be better. Not just because the holidays are coming, but also because thrift stores are no longer accepting children’s items. In the past you may have donated your outgrown kids’ clothes and toys to Goodwill or Salvation Army, but you may find this year that no one will take your items. Giving to families directly is becoming the only way to keep your stuff out of landfills.
So where can you find a family who needs your stuff? I have the answer!
I have been giving for years to the Holiday Helper program at Mothering.com. I’ve been reading the boards there for nearly a decade, so I can vouch that most of the women who post there are knowledgeable, idealistic, and conscientious. They are also incredibly committed to the environment, which means that not only do they willingly accept hand-me-down items, they actually prefer them. (In good shape, of course.)
There are dozens upon dozens of needy families on the Holiday Helper list. If you browse the list, you are almost guaranteed to find someone in need of your donations.
So what does any of this have to do with choosing my next recipient?
Well, if you are a needy family yourself, donating items poses one small problem: Shipping. I know there are many who would love to be Holiday Helpers, but feel they can’t because of the postage. So I’ve decided that this week, I’d like to give five of my readers $15 towards Holiday Helper shipping costs.
NOTE: I don’t actually mean to limit anyone to mothering.com. I know that lots of wonderful boards have (or are planning to have) their own Holiday Helper lists, and I’m more than happy to send money to ANYONE who needs help sending items to any needy family, from any trusted list.
If you would like to be a recipient, e-mail me and let me know! And please don’t be shy about approaching me: I am here to help, and it is a HUGE joy to me to help enable you to both clear your clutter and give to a family in need!
p.s. Elves are not only allowed to apply, they are encouraged. 
EDITED TO ADD: It’s Monday morning, and there are still lots of spots open! E-mail me if you’d like help with your shipping! Anyone may apply!
November 14th, 2009 - 7:46 am
Yay! What a fabulous idea! I also give to the Mothering Holiday Helper each year, and I know that many people have lovely things to give but find themselves in need of shipping funds. This is going to help so much! xoxox
[Reply]
November 14th, 2009 - 9:04 am
Very cool! Giving to help others give… it just ripples out and on and on and on.
A friend asked me to pay shipping for some items she wants to donate to a similar list, and I said sure. It’s easy and it feels so good!
[Reply]
November 14th, 2009 - 9:50 am
I love it! This is wonderful and amazing! Just when I think it can’t get any better you find a way to touch more people. Just beautiful.
[Reply]
November 14th, 2009 - 2:29 pm
Thank you everyone!
Zanna, I just LOVE that you’ve already done this for someone. So many like minds, here!
[Reply]
November 16th, 2009 - 10:56 am
I already donated my things to local charities after I went on a cleaning frenzy last week.
I love your generosity and perhaps I will find a few things for the holiday helper list as well.
Thanks for more ‘giving’ inspiration!
[Reply]
Abundance By Magic Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 11:44 am
You’re very welcome!
[Reply]
November 16th, 2009 - 11:52 am
So the update is that I haven’t had any takers on my offer yet! That’s OK, though, no worries. I’ll just leave the offer open until Christmas. I’m bound to find five happy recipients sometime in the next seven weeks, lol.
I do wish there was some way to get the mothering.com moms to know about me. I tried PMing a Holiday Helper mod on Friday (I opened an Abundance By Magic username to do it) but she seems to be ignoring me. I know I can’t post about this myself — I’d be banned in an instant. I was going to ask for some Elf help, but it’s not clear to me that you guys wouldn’t get into trouble too, and I don’t want that again!
Kind of silly, isn’t it? No biggie, though. I’ll just let the universe handle it, as usual.
Hope you’re all doing well and had great weekends!
[Reply]
November 16th, 2009 - 1:23 pm
I have no problem being an elf in that way! If I get into trouble…so be it. Let me know who to talk to and what I should do and I’m happy to oblige!
I’d take you up on this fabulous offer myself but I did a great purge and donated locally not too long ago! Had I only known!
[Reply]
Abundance By Magic Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Oh, thank you so much Elisabeth! I do have to admit that I would just love it if someone would start a thread about this site over there. It would be fun to spread word, and I bet I’d fill up my five spots in no time.
Either that, or I wonder if there’s a way to just let the Holiday Helper mods know about the offer, and see if they’ll put something up about it? I don’t know, though, because I PMed the head mod on Friday and she’s definitely not responding. Hmph! The nerve!
[Reply]
elisabeth Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:25 am
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=14685221#post14685221
Let me know if you want anything tweaked!
[Reply]
Abundance By Magic Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Ohhhhh thank you SOOOOOOO much, Elisabeth!!! You are amazing. That is perfect! I really, really appreciate it. HUGE vibes of gratitude and luck, heading your way!
November 16th, 2009 - 2:16 pm
I love what you are doing! Came here from TAO, someone linked you. I do have things I would love to share with HH families, but shipping is an issue for me. I would love to pass on some things I have, if you could help with shipping please let me know! (I wasn’t sure how to contact you other than the comments….)
[Reply]
Abundance By Magic Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Oh, that’s wonderful! I have a taker! Hooray hooray!
I would just love to help you with your shipping. You can e-mail me at abundancebymagic@mindspring.com. And thank you for being a Holiday Helper!
[Reply]
November 18th, 2009 - 7:12 am
I’m so sorry mama. I just got an email from the mods. They yanked it.
[Reply]
Abundance By Magic Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Gosh, they yanked the link on another thread, too. And sent a very cold note along with it. Isn’t that just nuts?
Their official reason seems to be that they don’t allow links to unofficial charities, or something like that. But that makes me want to shout, “I AM NOT A CHARITY!” Because gosh-darnit-all, I’m NOT giving charity, I’m giving gifts, magic, and abundance. It’s a totally different vibe. Heck, it’s almost the complete opposite vibe!
(Hmmm, interesting… turns out, if you really want to insult Abundance By Magic, just call her a charity.
)
Anyway. No biggie. Easy come, easy go. And the right people will find us, I’ve no doubt. And thank you SO much for trying, Elisabeth! I hope I didn’t get you into trouble. I *really* appreciate your help, and even if it didn’t work out, I think it’s awesome that we tried.
[Reply]
elisabeth Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:01 am
meh, no biggie! I do a fairly good job getting myself into trouble over there anyway.
I hear ya though, it’s NOT charity! Ah, well. The right people will be drawn here one way or another! We can’t LINK here, but we can go all grass roots and *talk* about it ad nauseum. LOL! People have a way of finding things when it’s on their radar…
[Reply]
Abundance By Magic Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:10 am
*Sigh.* You’re so awesome. Thank you again, you wonderful Elf you!
January 18th, 2010 - 4:17 am
[url=http://www.watchmovies4free.org][img]http://www.watchmovies4free.org/wp-content/themes/MovieSitePress/MovieSitePress/images/logo.gif[/img][/url]
OMG…Check this out… [url=http://www.verifiedfile.com][img]http://verifiedfile.com/images/smile.gif[/img][/url]
Does anybody like to [url=http://www.WatchMovies4Free.org][b]Watch Movies For Free[/b][/url]? I just put up a new site and want your feedback
Anyway – the site has no commercials and allows you to stream on demand all of your favorite 2009 movies [url=http://WatchMovies4Free.org][b]WatchMovies4Free.org[/b][/url]
[Reply]