It was a phone call that finally prompted you into action.
You were busy going back and forth between changing loads of laundry and cleaning out kitchen cupboards when the home phone rang. You could count on one hand the number of friends or relative who called you on the house phone, so you were pretty sure that it was a telemarketer or a robo call of some sort. For this reason, you did not stop what you were doing to answer the phone yourself. The message went right to voicemail, however, so in reality you probably heard more of the message than if you would have answered.
As you listened to the recorded message be transmitted to your voicemail you heard, not for the first time, the plea for making donations to military charities by simply placing labeled bags at the end of your driveway on the next Thursday. For some reason, however, this time the message sit home. Perhaps because you are frustrated with the current state of affairs in this country. Perhaps because you were listening while you were sorting and reorganizing cupboards and drawers full of kitchen supplies that you had not used since the last time you received this phone call for help for military charities. Either way, you made a decision and acted quickly before you could change your mind.
You went to the basement and gathered up some empty cardboard boxes and you loaded up anything that you had not used in the last year. You were tired of rearranging, cleaning, and sorting your excess. Tired of being angry that you lived in a world that did not quite seem fair. Tired of living in a world where you complained about cleaning a house full of things that far surpassed your greatest needs, even as others in the community were doing without.
When your husband and children returned from work and from school at the end of the day, they could see the progress. They were, in fact, excited that they no longer had to work so hard to manage getting what they needed from cupboards and drawers that were exploding. They were impressed with the clean and organized look of the cupboards that were now more functional.
Helping Families in Need Can Provide a Way to Act in the Most Frustrating of Times
It is difficult to turn on the television these days and not get frustrated with the finger pointing and name calling of those who are certain that their political side is right and that there is absolutely no reason to listen to someone else. In fact, many Americans find themselves struggling to make sense of today’s political transitions. Instead of constantly being in a state of confusion and feeling angry, however, many people have decided to start taking actions to make their little piece of the world a better place. From making donations of clothing and other household items to military charities and other organizations to volunteering time to help those less fortunate, America is seeing a rebirth in giving.
Giving support for military families through the use of organizations that accept clothing donations is just one way that Americans are finding their voice in a task that does not require discussion, and does not prompt arguments. For many Americans, in fact, making a trip through your home to find gently used items that could be donated to military charities or to other local organizations is pretty simple.
Consider some of these facts and figures about Americans and the need for donating instead of wasting our gently used items:
- 95.4% of Americans participate in some kind of charitable giving.
- In the year 2007, nearly $5.8 billion worth of clothing related donations were made to charity foundations in the U.S.
- In the year 2011, an estimated 2 million tons of clothing and textiles were either recycled or donated to American charities.
- In the year 1930, the average American woman owned nine outfits. Today, the average American woman owns 30 outfits, enough clothing to wear a different outfit every day of the month.
- 80% of donated clothing in America is used by charitable organizations for donation to the needy, or is sold to use for funding.