December 13

December 13:

Today I wrote two love letters.
I got in on day 10 and 11 of the 12-day letter writing challenge from moreloveletters.com.
Better late than never, right?

It felt wonderful, mailing off those two notecards full of affirmations for strangers.  It was fun to write them, using several colors of felt-tip pens and little doodles and hearts.  And, it took all of about 10  minutes. 

I could get into doing this more often.

Love letters?  Easy.  You know what is unexpectedly difficult? Donating my stuff.   I've now gathered and collected and set in the foyer and back of the van:  a bag of children's shoes, two bags of children's books, a bag of pantry food items, a large box of nice toys, and a bag of baby linens. 

No one wants them.



Well, that's not exactly true.  I could call up the Veterans and they'd pick it all up for me.  Or we could run it right down to Goodwill.  And I know these wonderful organizations would put my cast-off items to work, selling them piecemeal in thrift stores where the income would, bit by bit, go to help people. 

And chances are good that's exactly what will happen.

But what I WANTED to happen, what I had planned for this week of sorting and sifting and giving away, was for these items to go straight to people who could use them.  These baby clothes-- right to little ones in a home for families in crisis.  These toys-- right into the hands of children who will play with them.  These books-- right into the homes of little ones who can read them.  I don't want anyone to have to pay for these things.  I want to GIVE these things away.  I want them to do the most good they can.

I spent my lunch hour today trying to find an organization to help me do this, using a handy database published by (of course!) the Solid Waster Department.  Turns out, there are an impressive number of organizations reaching out to a staggering variety of people right here in our county.  Turns out, the need is heartbreaking and real.  And, it turns out, all of these amazing organizations specify "new items only."  Or money, course.

I am beginning to think uncharitable thoughts about these organizations.

Nonetheless I will soldier on, and have given myself the task tomorrow of contacting a list of organizations that seemed like possibilities.  Maybe I can talk them into taking this stuff.
Or maybe I will just walk around handing out bags of toys and books.   Who can say?