Letter to the Editor, Posted: 2/26/04
TO THE EDITOR:
If you are like me, you may have all of the good intentions and goals of cleaning out closets and clutter in the spring of every year. Then spring-cleaning changes to a new goal for fall cleaning and eventually fall cleaning becomes a resolution for New Yearís. Iíve read books on keeping things in order, watched TV shows like ìProject Organization,î and have friends who keep their homes neat without even thinking about it. AhÖthinking about itÖthatís the key! I asked my friend, so how do you think? She gave me these suggestions for my project:
Commit to a small amount of time each day no matter how large the task is.
Donít leave the room you are cleaning.
Label three boxes for sorting.
Keep, Give Away or Sell and Trash.
Decide on criteria for your sorting:
Have you used it within the last year?
Are you attaching a sentimental value to it that is too high?
Are you crazy about it? (If you didnít have it, would you spend valuable time and money to acquire it?)
If it does not meet one of these three criteria, let it go!
It sounds simple, I thought so I tried it Ö it worked! For me the key was getting started and staying in the room. These two tips kept me on track. Before I knew it, 15 minutes turned into 2 hours, and one room was finished. So, to all of the spring cleaners out there, I hope these tips help you, too.
Items given to non-profit thrift stores get a second life. Community-based organizations like Family Pathways use the money from the sale of these items to support their programs. Your donations turn into dollars to purchase milk and meat for food pantries, a friendly visitor to the elderly, or a peer-buddy for a child with special needs. Family Pathways is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Tax receipts are available for your donations. Store locations are: Forest Lake, Wyoming, Isanti, Rush City, Pine City, and Hinckley. For more information call (toll-free) 1-877-321-7100 or visit us on the Web at familypathways.org.
Vicki Sanvick
General manager, Family Pathways Thrift Stores
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