‘Tis is the season for giving!!
Granny left for Taiwan recently; but unlike her previous trips where she would return every 6 months, aunty bought her an one-way Business class ticket and we said sayonara to her at JFK.
Now the fun part begins...the apartment that she occupied accumulated over 30 years of stuff where her clothing size went from 6 to 12 during the span of time!! The easiest way to clean up would be to trash everything but I just couldn’t bear my heart to do so.
So I rolled up my sleeves and went through everything and categorized them into 1) donate, 2) recycle, 3) giveaway, 4) sell, and 5) trash. But I had no idea where to donate stuff like school supplies, books, electronics, hotel toiletries, and music instruments??! After some internet searches and phone calls, here is what you can do to help your community.
Family Shelter
What: Donate school supplies, calculators, hotel toiletries, cosmetics, and feminine products.
Where: I dropped them off at The Landing Family Shelter near the LaGuardia airport. Call (718) 226-0414 ahead to schedule drop off.
Animal Shelter
What: Donate used towels, sheets, and blankets (no pillows)
Where: I dropped them off at Animal Haven in downtown Manhattan. They will even give you a donation receipt.
Church
What: Donate bible, hymn, music sheets, coats
Where: I dropped them off at granny’s church - Winfield Reformed Church in Woodside, Queens. I am sure your local churches will gladly accept them.
Salvation Army/Goodwill
What: Donate gently used clothes, shoes, belts, jewelry, bags, and umbrellas
Where: I dropped them off at Salvation Army in Woodside and Goodwill on 23rd street Manhattan. Salvation Army offers free pickup but you need to schedule one month in advance towards the end of year.
Music School
What: Donate music instruments
Where: I donated my violin and recorders at BMS. Email them to discuss condition of your instruments and find out if they can arrange any pick up.
Staples/Best Buy
What: Recycle your old computer, monitor, cable cords, cameras, mobile phones, telephones, and some small household appliances. FYI it is against the NYC law to throw electronics in the trash!!
Where: I went with Staples as it has less restrictions than BestBuy and the process was very easy; just drop them off with the cashier you see on your way in and you are done.
Greenmarket
What: Recycle your clothing & shoes that can’t be donated. They also collect other reusable textiles.
Where: I went to the greenmarket in Union Square and dropped 2 bags off with the attendee. Easy peasy!
Used bookstores
What: Sell your old comic (manga), music lesson books, fictions, and Japanese books for money!!
Where:
Apartment lobby
What: Give away greeting cards, vases, cups, and whatever you can’t donate or recycle to your super and friendly neighbors. If you live in a house, have a garage sale!
