|
At the risk of sounding too much like a women’s magazine, we suggest that every time you buy something new to wear, you remove one thing in your closet. Since you are shopping for spring and summer, our guess is you’ll have a pile of castoffs very soon. That’s where Dress For Success (www.dressforsuccess.org) comes in. The organization collects business clothing, accessories and slightly worn shoes for women who are getting back into the workforce. They’ll also take your jewelry and new pantyhose. Bring your clothing to their offices in Madison, Jersey City, Robbinsville and Newark. Plus size, bonus points! Then, what to do about last year’s glasses when you just found a great pair of new frames? Donate them to New Eyes for the Needy (www.neweyesfortheneedy.org). They’ll also take watches, jewelry and giftware for the Trash Into Treasures shop in Short Hills. Stepping up to a Blackberry? Give your old wireless phone back to Verizon (www.verizon.com ) for the company’s Hopeline Project. The phones are re-programmed and donated to groups like the Jersey Battered Women’s Services (www.jbws.org) for women and family members who are victims of domestic abuse. Stepping out in a new BMW? Send your old wheels to Strengthen Our Sisters (www.strengthenoursisters.org). Its Cars for Success program is accepting car donations for women in need. So there you have it. Recycling isn’t just about newspapers, glass and plastic. Just about everything has a second life—and a chance to give others a better life. Note: Pamela J. Principe-Golgolab of PNA Associates, Inc. in Chester, guest authored this column.
|