I wrote about trying to be green the other day and Gwen introduced me to www.freecycle.org. It is a site that offers Yahoo! group areas for some people to post what they have to give away and others to post what they needed. They have a Huntsville group and the first time I scanned the list, I found a teacher who needed books for a classroom. 6 months ago, LilZ decided he wanted to donate a big chunk of books to charity. It was a perfect match. I contacted the teacher and we’re meeting this morning. I even threw in the copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that I won from that radio contest since we already have two copies. I’ve very excited. LilZ finally gets to clear out some room on his bookshelves and a classroom in my area gets a library!
Thanks, Gwen. Now, if only I could find someone to take all of the dirty clothes and dishes off my hands so that I don’t have to wash them. That would be awesome.
Ooooohhhh…not your Nancy Drew collection!! I totally regret ever giving mine away. I have a 5 yr old daughter and I wish I still had them to share with her. Nancy Drew was a big part of my childhood. But, I do applaud your green efforts. I live in the deep south and well, the recycling movement hasn’t quite reached us yet!
freecycle.com is awesome!
We moved cross country a few months ago. We pared down a lot before the move by matching our excess stuff with folks on freecycle, including giving over 500 books to a local couple who provision school libraries. I got a lot of satisfaction out of seeing things go to good use. Now that we’re in our new home, we’re finding that we should have cut back even more. Freecycle to the rescue again! This time it’s excess kitchen stuff, an old computer desk and used moving boxes.
I’m determined to de-clutter without the guilt of filling up the landfills. I appreciate your encouragement and support for doing so!
I just checked and there’s a Freecycle group here in Lansing. So, I list what I have, and people will come and take it away? I’m emptying this house OUT! LOL Excellent work, although I find it painful to get rid of books.
Look at us teaming up to make a difference! Do you care if I link to this when I actually sit down and write my post about Freecycle?
My freecycle group is … well, it’s really something. I started out being excited about it, and gave quite a few things, when suddenly, everyone went — well, they went a little nuts. I was surprised at how many people viewed it as a charity, and got angry when I gave it to the first person who asked, rather than the “person who needed it most.” It got to be the very worst of the Internet, with snarking and trolls and angry people and backbiting, and oh lord, I eventually had to unsubscribe, which makes me so sad, as it’s such a great service.
Oooh, I wanted to be Nancy Drew when I was little! I’ve started my daughter a collection (can you call 5 books a collection?) and I hope she will love them as much as I did.
Since your green post, I’ve been at least thinking of ways we can be greener. I guess that’s a start.
This is GREAT!
I’m going to have to check out this Freecycle thing!
Wow! I never realized you were a fellow Ontarian! Good going with the freecycle - I’m really starting to think about the footprints my family is leaving and have begun to do alot more recycling and shopping at second hand stores.
I’ve been using free-cycle for 2 years now and I love it! It’s nice to declutter the house and I like to see what others are getting rid of that we could use as well.
Toward the end of every school year, I ask Little G’s teachers if he/she would like a donation of books and magazines for the classroom library and they gladly accept each and every time! I also donate old board games, card games, etc. to his teachers for indoor recess. Second hand/consignment store shopping is my new favorite weekend activity. You would be surprised how many name brand shirts I can find for around $1-$2 a piece!
Look at all those Nancy Drews! So jealous.