You did not really intend to be downsizing quite this soon, but the day that you saw your neighbor and his adult son measuring part of their acreage for a new home, you decided to have a conversation. They were indeed thinking about building a second home on their property, and when you suggested that the son just buy yours, they were immediately interested. The thought of months of construction and all of the mess that it involves is never a fun idea in a place where there is more cold and wet weather than anything else, so you were not surprised that they agreed to immediately come walk through your space.
Things happened pretty quickly after that initial walk through and now you find yourself spending this summer sorting and making decisions about what you want to keep and what you are going to have to part with. You have the Red Cross pickup schedule memorized and always have a pile of house hold and clothing donations to give them. You will still own the large out building on the property, so you have room for the tractors and the other items that you want to keep, but for the most part you are dividing everything into three piles:
- What will go to the lake house.
- What will go with you to the small in town rental that you are going to move into as soon as the tenant vacates.
- What you are going to sell or donate.
As the process draws on, the idea of making donations that can easily be handled by the local Red Cross pickup becomes more appealing than having a garage sale. And while you know that many of the items that you are getting rid of have value, you might be running out of steam when it comes to sorting and pricing items for a garage sale. The fact that you know the American Red Cross donations will be put to a good use, helps you realize that your gifts might be better off than making a few extra bucks while sitting in the hot sun for three or four days.
The latest research indicates that as many as 70% of people in the U.S. give to charity each year, and that these gifts amount to as much as 3% of income of the people who are making gifts. From clothing to household items to monetary gifts and blood donations, Red Cross donation centers play an important role in the distribution of gifts to those who need them the most. From across town to across the world, Red Cross pickup services make a difference in millions of lives.
Internationally, there are more than 14.3 million tons of donated American textiles that are used to help clothe people and families across the globe, so no one has to feel badly about making a donation, instead of making a few dollars at an exhausting yard sale.