Day 212: Bag of clothing to Goodwill

This is the first of my larger donations of clothing this week. I gave at least ten shirts (maybe more, I counted quickly) and three winter scarves that were barely used, if at all. I decided to go to Goodwill today because I know that they will make good use of the clothing. I finally let go of my multiple years' worth of yearbook staff t-shirts. I haven't taught yearbook in three years, and it was time to let go of the shirts.

There's something about dropping of goods at Goodwill that feels safer and just generally more acceptable than dropping good off in a big bin in a store parking lot (not that I don't do this as well). I noticed the other day that the Planet Aid bin up the street in the parking lot of the Wine Merchant is no longer there.  I predicted this earlier this summer when I saw that people had carelessly left boxes and bags of donated goods outside the already full bin. In addition, it rained for a week on top of the goods. Not sure if it was the store or Planet Aid who decided that the yellow bin was no longer a good idea for that location, but I cannot blame them.

Day 211: turquoise shirt

This shirt is the tip of the iceberg so to speak. It's almost August, and I have begun the purging of my closet and drawers. I saw this turquoise shirt as a prime example of clothing that could be donated. It's a pretty color and is in relatively good shape. It has three-quarter length sleeves and a V -neck that gathers nicely. It also makes me look like a tent. I hope that the Salvation Army finds a more suitable owner. Over the next few days, I plan to give away plenty of garments. I will not, however, donate anything stained or too shabby. Respectable clothes only.

Day 210: $20 for primer

Today I spent a little over $20 on primer fr the wall in the student-led writing center. It's been awhile since I've painted a wall, and I sort of forgot about this step when buying other materials. When all is said and do e, I'm guessing I will have donated hundreds of dollars to this project. I can only still hope, however, that it is a success. Next step, actually start painting the walls.

Day 209: Macaroni and Cheese and Au Gratin Potatoes

I donated two items from my pantry to the Freestore Foodbank today (with the help of Green Bean Delivery, of course). Both are cheesy and delicious comfort foods--au gratin potatoes and macaroni and cheese.  The truth is, I shouldn't be eating these foods (trying to lose weight) and I don't even really crave them. It's summer, and I'm enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables more than packaged, dried foods.  Ask me in November,  and I would probably have a different opinion. Nevertheless, these are the types of packages that make for good, sustainable donations to the Freestore Foodbank, and I'm sure someone will enjoy their cheesiness.

Day 208: t-shirts

I'm digging into the closet again today and donating three different t-shirts.  All three are in prime condition (probably because they are a bit too small for me or too ugly) and were given to me in some manner related to my employment. I'm helping myself out as much as anyone who eventually ends up wearing my baby-blue net-trekker t-shirt because I'm holding true to my three new rules for t-shirts--must be soft and comfortable.  If not soft and comfortable, they must at least hold a certain degree of nostalgia. I can handle cardboard t-shirts of nostalgia is involved.

Day 207: "comfortable" shoes

I purchased these shoes yesterday, and gave them away today.  Sounds bad, doesn't it?  Why didn't I just return them? Well, for starters they only cost $3 at Walmart. They are actually pretty sturdy shoes, but they didn't suit my purpose. I was looking for some cheaper shoes that had a little support that I could slip into and wear around the house. I've been experiencing heel pain, but I hate wearing shoes at home--especially gym shoes. Yuck.  (On a side note that may seem only quasi-related: Today I saw my neighbor mowing his lawn.  It was 95 degrees, humid and he was wearing jeans!!  Yuck again.)  I thought these cheap shoes would work, but alas they rubbed my heels.  Of course. My love/hate relationship with shoes continues, and St. Vincent de Paul just got another donation.  Another side note--yes, these are men's shoes. 

Day 206: Yellow Ribbon Support Center

Borders bookstore is going out of business for good, and I like all the other vultures decided to check out the sales. So far, not too many discounts; in fact, only 10% off of books. The magazines, however, were the only items with significant discounts (40%). I decided to purchase three sudoku books and drop them off around the corner at the Yellow Ribbon Support Center located in Eastgate.  They will add them to their care packages for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Usually puzzle books like these (which I used to be somewhat addicted to, but haven't used in about three years) are at least $3.99 each. With 40% off, that makes them about $1.80 each which seems like a good buy.  Also, with the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, I can trust that the donation will go directly into the care packages and then directly to soldiers. I will be going back to Borders later in the summer. I doubt that puzzle books will still be there, but perhaps I will find something else.

Day 205: Fifty cents to Children's Miracle Network

There was a fun aspect to donating 50 cents to the coin vortex in the Sam's "lobby" today. A man and his son had been standing around the vortex for a good five minutes throwing change in while his wife checked out with the cashier. I bet the man thought they were finally getting out of there when I added two more quarters and blithely walked out the door. The boy was overjoyed to stay a little bit longer and watch the coins go round and round. I'm sure his father was equally as happy.

Day 204: $1 to Youth Programs thru Salvation Army

I went to Kroger's yesterday looking for some low fat ice cream (it's still 99 degrees). There was the Salvation Army bucket--looking like the exact same bucket that is rolled out at Christmastime--with a sign that donations would go to Youth Programs. I trust the Salvation Army more than I trust random people who try to sell you suspect candy bars and gummy bears in retail parking lots, so I contributed a dollar. Amazingly, so did another man. In fact, I had to briefly wait in line to donate to the Salvation Army bucket in July. For two reasons, usually that's not the case.

Day 203: $10 to fan and a/c drive thru St. Vincent de Paul

It was 99 degrees in Cincinnati yesterday, and 97 today. When you add on the ridiculous, soup-like humidity that only Cincinnati can produce, the heat index ends up somewhere between 110 and 114.  I actually wish that they never came up with the term heat index.  Regardless, it's baking outside and at 9:00 p.m. today, it still feels like 98 outside. I'm extremely grateful for my air conditioner, and I can't imagine what it's like for people who do not have a/c.  Also, I completely respect St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic charity that does a lot of good work in the Cincinnati area. On the SVDP website, you can donate any amount and specify the program your money will go to. I chose the fan and a/c drive, and I know that my ten dollars won't do that much, but it will do something.

Day 202: Pudding and Refried Beans to Freestore Foodbank

I once again took advantage of the continuous can drive run by Green Bean Delivery and the Freestore Foodbank. I simply selected from my cupboard: two packages of chocolate pudding, and one can of refried beans. Neither were close to expiration, and I really like both. Still, everything I donate does not have to be some sort of fat-free soup that I purchased with the best intentions but will never really eat because it tastes like dishwater. I was happy to give away these items, and I hope they end of in someone else's cupboard soon.

Day 201: $1 to Save the Penguins

Who doesn't love penguins? What I might love even more, however, is when an opportunity to donate shows up so fortuitously. I had quite a long day yesterday, beginning with the dentist, and then continuing with hiding out from the oppressive heat in my home, followed by an evening of indulgence (kind of).  Basically, the day was all about me, and I spent a ton of money. I went to Newport on the Levee for a delicious dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup (Tom + Chee) to be followed up by the final Harry Potter movie in Imax 3D--still not sure what is different than regular 3D there, but ok.  In between, we stopped at the Sweet Shop next to Tom + Chee to look around and fill a bag with taffy. An there it was--an opportunity to donate to save the penguins.  The Wave Foundation is a part of the Newport Aquarium that focuses on conservation at the aquarium and worldwide.  They have a lot of opportunities to donate, including by purchasing artwork created by penguins!

Day 200: 5 spiral notebooks and 14 pencils

I was able to spend less than two dollars to but five spiral notebooks and two packs of pencils (7 each) to donate to Project Backpack facilitated by Huntington Bank.  The project ends at the end of the month, and I actually wish it extended a little longer.  The really good deals on school supplies do not come until August, and it is a great cause to continue to donate to.

Is there anything momentous about 200 straight days of giving? Surprisingly, no.  I was talking with my friend Mary today who asked if it has been difficult to find some way to give every day. Not really.  Some days I feel blank--like any teacher, like any writer. But inspiration always comes.

Day 199: Two meals to Feeding America

I purchased one of the most delicious candy bars in the world today, a Snickers (and I haven't even eaten it yet.) I went online to the Snickers website and entered the bar code from my candy bar, and Snickers donated enough cash to cover two meals for Feeding America, a nonprofit that distributes over 3 billion pounds of food a year. I'll probably split the Snickers bar with my sister tomorrow. I'm not into saving candy bars like that Charlie in the Chocolate Factory kid. Each bar has 280 calories, so it's a good thing that Snickers also seems to be sponsoring some sort of fitness program on their website.  Is that disingenuous? Like tobacco sponsoring non-smoking programs. My other favorite nostalgic candy bar--just plain Hershey's. My favorite adult candy bar--Lake Champlain. Absolutely delicious.

Day 198: Shoe Rack

I'm in a never-ending search for a way to organize my shoes that will be efficient, easy, and most of all sustainable. This shoe rack, which has been in my closet for a number of years, was not the solution. It went the way of freecycle.  I have a feeling that the real solution to organizing my shoes has to do with not only greatly reducing the number of shoes I own, but also deciding to actually care where, when, and how I discard my shoes once I no longer want them on my feet.  I have a few shoe mats in various locations, I have my closet, but so often my shoes just end up where they may.  I dream of a space-age (or fake space age, like the Jetsons) conveyor belt that delivers shoes and maybe even clean clothes to me when I need them. Until then, I will continue to fight the entropy that comes with owning too many shoes, and I will search for more manageable systems to corral my shoes.

Day 197: donation to "Stop Girl Trafficking"

I purchased Jon Krakauer's "Three Cups of Deceit" today on Kindle for $2.99.  One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to "Stop Girl Trafficking," a project at the American Himalayan Foundation. I am a real fan of Krakauer's work, and I can tell how angry he is about Greg Mortensen's deceptions and the scandal surrounding Three Cups of Tea by the interviews I've heard and articles of read. I am intrigued enough to learn more about the scam, and I think it's the perfect opportunity to help Krakauer with his charitable endeavor. Normally, I would have checked out the text from the library, but for $2.99 and a charitable donation to a worthy cause, it seemed a great idea to buy instead.

Day 196: $1 to Whole Plant Foundation

I was able to donate $1 to Whole Food's Whole Planet Foundation today simply by entering a contest to go to the Amazon. All I had to do was go to Sambazon's Facebook page, "like" them, and enter the contest. In turn, Sambazon, who apparently do something with Acai berries, will donate $1 to the Whole Planet Foundation on my behalf.  Easy as pie. I would thoroughly enjoy a trip to the Amazon to learn more about Acai berries, although I did notice that the dates of the trip would conflict with the start of the school year next year.  I guess I will just have to cross that bridge when I come to it.

The only drawback to these types of donations is that I have to login to Facebook and receive a whole set of we-miss-you-emails. That, and the big brother tracking of me. Yuck.

I may see if I can donate more today as well.

Day 195: canned fruit and vegetables to Freestore Foodbank

On my way home from summer school today, I stopped to buy some turkey breast at Meijers (and later made a delicious wrap for lunch). Since I knew that my Green Bean delivery box would probably not be picked up/dropped off quite yet, I added two cans of pineapples and two cans of green beans to my order. I'm not sure why I picked those items. They were certainly cheap--cost me less than four dollars for the four cans.  I guess I also wanted to donate food items that I actually like.  I love pineapple and I love green beans (especially if cooked really well). I prefer fresh over canned, but that doesn't last for this type of donation.  I don't think I can actually remember the last time I ate canned green beans. Now that I think about it, I probably should have just stuck with fruit all around.

Day 194: $1 to Ronald McDonald House

When I stopped to get my Diet Coke at McDonalds this morning on the way to summer school, I scrounged up exactly $1.07 to pay for it.  The cashier at the first drive thru window was taking forever (not that I minded since the starting time for summer school is quite flexible). In the meantime, I was able to come up with exactly $1 made up of dimes, nickels, and pennies in my car. I liked the fact that my donation came to exactly $1.  Coincidentally, I was listening to an NPR report about dollar coins that the U.S. Mint is trying to encourage the circulation of. It was quite interesting, especially the part about people scamming (kind of) the mint by purchasing the dollars with credit cards just to get rewards points.  Just dollars all around.

Day 193: three spiral notebooks

I dropped off three spiral notebooks at a Huntington Bank branch today. The bank is running something called Project Backpack. Huntington purchases backpacks for students, and bank customers (or anyone else) offers donations to fill the backpacks.  Pretty good idea.  I saw an advertisement for Project Backpack last night while I was watching the news. I was lucky to catch the ad because I don't actually watch too much television, and when I do I hardly ever watch commercials. I'm a real fan of the DVR. I realize you do miss some things this way. That's life.  Project Backpack runs through the end of July, so I will probably return to Huntington Bank with more goods in the near future. It appeared that I was the only one who had donated so far.

Day 192: $20 to DonorsChoose

I now have two accounts at Donors Choose--one where I donate and one where I seek donations. I'm not sure why I couldn't create a combined account, but it's no matter at this point.  Again today I donated to my own project: the student-led writing center at Milford High School. I have no idea if the DonorsChoose thing will really work out, but I figured that I needed to get the ball rolling or no on would ever donate. It's sort of like putting a dollar bill or two in your tip jar.  It lets others know that people donate here.

Another thing that confuses me about DonorsChoose is that you only have 5 moths to collect the money. After that, the post will expire. Where will the money go?  Hmmm.  Again, I'll have to see how it goes.

Day 191: Class of 2011 t-shirt

I like to think that this shirt will end up on a person in a far away country. Someone working on a farm, in a village, or at the local market.  Even though I adored the students in the class of 2011, I have no use for a shirt with all of their names. I plan to go through my drawers looking for other such shirts soon. I'm still holding on to years worth of yearbook shirts. I'm not sure why.

Day 190: two brown and cream patterned shirts

Neither of these shirts (both from Macy's, I think.) is flattering on me, no matter how I try. I put on the one with the paisley print the other day and felt like I do every time I attempt to wear that shirt which reminds me of scrubs.  I imagine myself wearing white pants with it and looking like a dental hygienist.  The other shirt has a vague animal print on it although it is unclear from what animal or species.  The arms are too short and the elastic across the top looks like something left over from the 1970s.

Day 189: painting supplies

Today I purchased about $45 in painting supplies for a room at my school. I'm developing a student-led writing center. While this is definitely my project that I'm donating to, I still feel it counts as a legitimate donation. I had hoped to find grant money to start and support the writing center, but so far nothing has come through. Looks like I will be financially supporting this endeavor. Things like this never change, do they?  Teachers spend a lot of money at schools; schools spend a lot of money on investments and items not directly related to education.

Day 188: one can of soup to Freestore Foodbank

This sounds like a measly donation, and it probably is. I had recently purchased three cans of soup that I thought looked appetizing but not too calorie-laden.  But the fact is, I don't really like canned soup.  I love soup, but canned just never measures up. Therefore, before even opening one of the three cans, I decided to forfeit one. I think I donated one with vegetables and whole wheat pasta. I looked through my cupboard for other items, but practically everything else I was willing to part with was expired. I suppose those two factors are in direct correlation to each other. Next week, I will probably go back and see the exact same expired food. I should at least throw a few of them away.

Day 187: 50 cents to Ronald McDonald House

I took advantage of McDonald's $1 soft drinks, and picked up a large Diet Coke on the way to summer school. The drink seemed to do the job keeping me awake for 5 hours of staring at a computer screen, and Ronald got 50 cents for his coffers. Works for me.

Day 186: $3 to Children's Miracle Network

When I dumped a little more than $3 into the coin vortex today, I did not slide each coin in individually to watch it circle around until reaching the bottom. Instead, I dumped the money in the middle, and just watched one penny circle to vortex. I would have felt too childish otherwise.

Day 185: $1.29 to NY Police and Fire Fund

It's a beautiful (but hot and humid) 4th of July, and I was able to donate to the New York Police and Fire Fund today by purchasing Beyonce's version of Lee Greenwood's song "God Bless the USA" on iTunes. All proceeds from the sale go to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. What a great idea! I'm not sure how many times I would necessarily listen to this song (I probably would like Greenwood's version better than Beyonce's anyway) but that's really not why I purchased it. I hope more artists do something similar.

Day 184: $25 to Make-a-Wish Foundation

I was able to use reward points from a credit card today to donate $25 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I hadn't even thought about using the rewards program from this specific credit card, since I hardly use the credit card, but it did cross my mind today. I'm glad I came across this idea (especially since it's getting late in the evening and I haven't donated today). I don't have very many points on this card, but I believe I will be able to go back later and donate maybe two more times. Again, I'm so glad this option is available on credit cards, although lately on the news all you hear about is that credit card companies will begin eliminating rewards programs due to increased fees leveled by the federal government.  I know that I mentioned this before, but it's worth thinking about again: It's hard to pick a charity when there are so many other rewards/gifts to pick from.  Well, it wasn't terribly hard, just a bit. I wonder if, after my year of giving is up, I will ever redeem any points for myself (or a friend or relative) instead of a charity. 

Day 183: $1 to Wellness programs through Laughing Cow

I purchased a second type of laughing cow cheese (the delicious mini babybel).  This one has 70 calories per serving, but you have to think you burn a couple of calories ripping off the red wax, right?  I was surprised when I entered my UPC number on the website that the donations are only up to a little over 13,000. I wonder if there is something wrong wit the website counter, or perhaps the advertising on the cheese packaging just isn't prominent enough for people to want to go to the internet an donate a dollar. It was, actually, sort of difficult to find the URL. I wonder if they will even get to 500,000.

Day182: wooden nickel to Loveland Interfaith Food Pantry

This was a sparse day for donating. I only managed to get a wooden nickel from Whole Foods (for bringing my own bag) and donate it to Loveland Interfaith Food Pantry. I will note that I often donate a wooden nickel to the Loveland Interfaith Food Pantry and do not record it on my blog. I guess it just seems so minimal. I'll try to do better tomorrow.