New Life For Old Treasures: Keep, Sell or Give

New life for old Treasures It’s an old saying, but a good one: one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Thanks to Ebay and Craig’s List, connecting unwanted items with the people who actually want them is easier than ever before. For many, redistributing items that once would have seen the trash heap is a thriving business, and even a means to aid a favorite charity. So, don’t be so quick to toss those unwanted items. There may be life in them yet.

Freecycling
Freecycling is a new movement that keeps unwanted items out of landfills by connecting people who have items with the people who want them and live close by. There are currently more than 4,000 freecycling communities operating via Yahoo groups nationwide, and membership is free. All you need to do is list unwanted items and invite someone in a nearby community to come and pick them up.

Swap It
Swapping is an alternative for clearing out books, movies, CDs and craft supplies. Websites such as uswapit.com, paperbackswap.com, and swapadvd.com, allow people with shared hobbies and interests to exchange tools, supplies and accessories.

Recycling For Charities
Many charities welcome donations, but it is always wise to contact a charity ahead of time to find out if they need what you are planning to donate. Some charities do not accept any used items and are seeking financial support only. If that is the case, you might consider holding a tag or garage sale and donating the proceeds.

Here are a few ideas for charities that welcome donations of goods:

Hospital or church auxiliaries and thrift stores
Habitat for Humanity
Salvation Army Thrift Stores
Goodwill Industries, and AmVets
Women's centers
Animal shelters

Donations, Off the Beaten Path
If you are looking to donate old bicycles, consider Pedals for Progress, which distributes used bicycles to developing countries.

While local libraries might accept used books, Book Crossing invites you to register on their website and leave a book in a public place for someone else to pick up, read, and pass along to someone else.

If you have art and classroom supplies, consider donating them to your local senior center, church or school district. Sharethetechnology.com lists nonprofit organizations seeking donations of newer computers they can refurbish and donate to schools, individuals and charities. Unite For Sight collects used eyeglasses and gets them to people who need them.

Wachovia: Giving Back
At Wachovia, we know how important it is to give back to the communities that support us. That’s why we support local and national educational initiatives with both financial and hands-on help. Our education programs have positively influenced the lives of millions of children since they began in 1989. These programs encourage employees to volunteer in local schools and organizations as tutors, mentors, readers, speakers, lunch buddies, and room parents. We invite you to learn more about our educational initiatives.