Think about your closet right now. Can you picture every item in it? How many items are simply in the way, items that you have not worn in many months, or years? Despite having a full closet, do you still find it difficult to find something to wear? If this is your current closet situation, it might be time to arrange a Red Cross clothes donation. When you make clothing donations to local charitable organizations, you will find that you also receive many advantages in return.
Decluttering of your home?s closets
Making Red Cross clothes donations allows you to free up valuable closet space in your home. You can either use this space to store other items, or as an excuse to do some additional shopping. Either way, the decluttering of a closet can be very calming. According to the EPA, Americans throw away an average of 10 pounds of clothes per person each year. Instead of throwing out your unused clothing items, consider Red Cross clothes donations instead.
Positive charitable feeling
Giving to local charities feels good. You know that your donations made a difference and that they will be given to families and children in need. The sale of the clothes donations will also be used for additional funding. For 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, the American Red Cross provides relief for families and communities in the form of blankets, food, blood, and shelter. Even if you do not have extra funding to provide assistive support, you can help with your used clothing donations.
Receive tax deductions
You may not yet be thinking about taxes, but tax time will be here before we know it. Making Red Cross clothes donations is a great way to receive tax deductions. The U.S. government will reduce your tax liability by the worth of the items that you donate. You just have to be sure to go through a government approved charity, like the American Red Cross. For larger prices items, like housing appliances or vehicles, make sure you get a charity receipt to file with your taxes.
Recycling is a benefit for the planet
When you throw out your clothing or household items, they end up filling up landfills. This is a huge environmental problem, because many of these items could easily be recycled. Instead they sit in landfills for many years, sometimes never actually breaking down. Rather than throw out your unused clothing and household items, arrange a Red Cross pickup for easy donations. You will be benefiting both the planet and those in need. In January 2015, 564,708 people were homeless on a given night in the United States. Your charitable donations directly help these people.
Teach good lessons to your children
When children grow up in a giving family, they tend to carry on those same values. When they get older and begin to raise their own family, they also continue helping out charitable organizations. It can even be beneficial to include your children in the used clothing donations process. Rather than going through their closets with them, encourage them to choose their own items to donate. Bring them to the local Red Cross donation center so they can get a better idea of where their donated items are going. If possible, involving them in volunteering can further their charitable knowledge.
Involving yourself with local charitable organizations and donating your unused clothing and household items can provide you with many benefits. Some of these benefits include decluttering your house and closets, giving you positive charitable feelings, helping out those in need, and teaching valuable lessons to your children. Depending on the charity that you donate to, you can also receive helpful tax deductions.