Happy 2020 everyone!
It's crazy to think we've entered a new decade. There's something about it that makes you want to get up and do something impactful with more fervor than people running to sign up for gym memberships on New Year's Day. I've felt it even more now that I'm finally settling into my new home in Virginia and itching to get out and explore my new town. For those who don't know, I moved to the D.C. area to pursue a new job. I miss my friends and family dearly, but I'm settled in enough to start exploring the district and surrounding areas and see what the next chapter of my life holds.
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| Same non-profit, new way to serve! |
Speaking of starting new chapters and trying new things, I was finally able to check something off my Habitat list that I've wanted to do for a long time. I discovered that I live near the Alexandria Habitat for Humanity Restore, and I decided to spend part of my weekend volunteering there! I'll have to get a few build days in once spring hits in order to officially make Virginia my 11th state, but all in good time. I was excited to check out the Restore experience since it is a major component of Habitat's programming, but many people don't know it exists.
Let me enlighten y'all a bit about what Habitat Restores are. Essentially, a Restore is a home improvement version of Goodwill. The stores receive and conduct donation pick-ups Monday through Friday, then have volunteers sort, organize, price, and stock items in their stores. The money earned through sale is used to fund home builds in their area. These stores sell furniture, cabinets, pictures, housewares, lighting, tiles, power tools, paint, and other similar items.
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| So many donations, so little time... |
When I arrived I met Cedric, who was full of energy and appreciation for volunteers to help out. I worked today with Samantha, Roxi, Jenny and Rachel, who were also volunteering their time to keep the Restore running. Samantha had been there once before and Cedric placed her in charge of the rest of our bunch. She was a bit nervous about it, and I learned she was only 17 and had only had one other Restore experience under her belt. She did a great job today, and we were all able to pitch in and help her when needed. I think it's a perfect example of how serving gives you leadership opportunities, pushes your comfort zone, and can show you that you are capable of so much. Oh yeah, and age doesn't matter!
We walked to the back and were met with rows of shelves filled with donations. We spent the first two hours of our time going through all of the items and sorting them into categories, wiping off some items that needed a bit of cleaning, and disposing of donations which didn't have all the parts or were in bad shape. I highly encourage people to donate to the Restore because it helps the organization and in turn future homeowners, but please keep in mind if you wouldn't go to a thrift store and buy something because it looks icky or is broken or missing parts, chances are your thoughtful donation is getting dumped in the trash because it can't be sold.
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| Swapped my hard hat for an apron |
After we sorted everything we went out to the sales floor and worked together to organize and consolidate the items for sale in the lighting, housewares, and tools sections of the store. We were able to make a lot of room for new items and the store looked much cleaner once we were done with it. We weren't able to price any items because we didn't have the training or authorization to do so, but we were able to place already tagged items out on the floor to fill the shelves. By the end of our four hour shift the store was buzzing with people and I had a great time making small talk with patrons. Though I'm happy I no longer work in retail, it was fun to revisit it a bit and know that I can still make a difference by trading in dirty clothes, work boots, and a hard hat for a blue Restore apron.
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| Find a way to serve in 2020! |
Though I personally find builds more challenging and exciting, I'm glad I found another way to serve during the colder (and rainier!) months. I've added a link to the Alexandria Restore for others in the area who want to check it out sometime, otherwise I suggest looking for treasures at your local store! I've heard of people finishing home remodel projects with really great finds, as long as you're willing to sift through to find the diamonds in the rough!
Since we're still at the beginning of a new year (and decade!) and we're all about resolutions, I encourage you all to find something you're passionate about and get out and serve your community this year. Whether you come to love Habitat for Humanity as much as I do or find another philanthropy close to
your heart, commit to giving a little of your time to helping others
this year. Trust me, it's so worth it.
Until Next Time,
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