Give Give Give...

If you haven't started thinking about Spring Cleaning your makeup/purse/closet...time to start.

OK maybe I only say that because we're on the second of two non-rainy days in a row...whew, it's been wet here! Comments run from our being the "new Seattle" to "gee, I keep wondering what that old guy is doing in my backyard, buildin' the big boat and lining up those animals..."

But maybe this is spurred on by the newsletter I just received from Image For Success.

Image For Success is a non-profit organization, that collections clean, I think they say "gently used" clothing from women (and now actually men and kids) and distributes it out to women who are coming in off the streets, trying to make the most of their life.

The "letter" on the inside was immensely inspiring. It was written by a gal who lives in her car. It was about how she has 'turned her life around,' gotten off drugs, etc. -- but has to get a job to get out of that car. About how hard it is to stay clean, pressed, neat, etc. when everything you own is basically in the back seat.

She talked about coming into the Image For Success offices, and how the volunteers "made her feel like a queen," taking out business suits, dresses, shoes, etc. and giving them to her to try -- having a "fashion show," talking about what really "didn't" work for her, etc. The letter was so from the heart. The editorial "follow up" was that she had gotten a job, and was now saving on a security deposit for an apartment.

I made the mistake a while ago of giving something really good away (by accident) to Goodwill, and going to their "sort" to try to get it back. Clothing was just all over the floor -- it was being put into "rag bags" by the ton. It made me totally sick. (Made me sicker that somehow the leather briefcase my parents had gotten for me when I got my Masters degree had wound up there...never to be found.) After this experience, I have "sought out" smaller enterprises, like Image For Success, or The Princess Project (which takes your "gently used" black tie or dress-up clothing, and gives it to underprivileged girls for their proms).

Though places like Image For Success, Marin Abused Womens Services, and the like can't take "used" makeup, they do sometimes take unused makeup (e.g., "samples" you have gotten and never used). They definitely take clothes and shoes.

You are supposed to be throwing out makeup, lotions and the like that are over 6 months old...they're no good to you and with the chemicals in most of them, you could be putting something toxic on your body (or in your EYES -- eyew old mascara!) if you aren't careful.

So now's the time. If you won't do it for "you" -- do it for them. Get up right now and "let your fingers do the walking" -- do you have a place like Image for Success, or a Hospice (especially good for magazines/books/sweats/etc.), Princess Project, or Marin Aid To Retarded Citizens (these are all ones that are local to me) in your area? I KNOW that you do. Call them up, and find out if they have a pick-up coming near you (or where you can take your stuff). I had a bad experience, as I said, with Goodwill, and so I can't recommend them, but that's just me.

They might tell you that the clothes have to be "in fashion," but they don't really mean it :-) If you have a business suit and it's dry cleaned and in the bag, believe me, they will take it. Put a little polish on the shoes you're going to bring in -- they will take them even if they have some cuts in them. Believe me.

Do it for our less fortunate Bond Grrl Sistahs -- help them get to it.

Solitaire