Purple Heart donation pick up centers around the country will become increasingly busy as the nation prepares to find ways to make sure that they are able to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. From the hurricane winds that hit the coast to the ongoing flooding throughout more than 50 counties in the state of Texas, the value of charitable donations will be even more evident. As families, who have lost virtually everything, try to find a dry place for shelter, it will take the efforts of Purple Heart donation pick up centers and other wounded veterans charities that will help meet the needs of those who have suffered the most.
In times of disaster it takes an entire nation’s efforts to recover. From the plains of Nebraska to the coasts of California, used clothing donations and important monetary gifts will help bridge the gap between what is lost and what is the future. Clothing and household items that are brought to places like Purple Heart donation pick up centers will make their ways to soccer teams who are still trying to practice and elderly veterans who were already struggling to make ends meet before the storm.
Consider some of these other ways that your donations can help make the transition easier for some of the people who have lost the most:
- Fleece blankets, linens, and bath towels are all things that can be used in times of natural disasters. Money is always needed, but the blankets and the towels are some of the first lines of defense to a family that is escaping a flooded or fire stricken home.
- In the year 2006 alone, 2.5 billion pounds of fabric were kept from the landfills by used-clothing purchases. Donations that are made to veterans charities are sometimes resold, and sometimes given to textile recycling centers. Both of these options keep these textiles out of already over crowded landfills.
- New and gently worn clothing items fill the closets and drawers of many homes. If you have clothing that you never wear, but that is simply taking up space in your home, perhaps you should consider donating it to a charitable cause.
- Dangerous house fires and floods leave families struggling to find a way to make it to the next day. When communities donate money and household items to those in need they are able to help provide a life raft to those most in need.
- Americans recycle or donate only 15% of their used clothing.
- Women’s clothing items are always in high demand in many parts of the country.
- Average Americans throw away nearly 70 pounds of linens, clothing, and other textiles every single year.
- Yearly statistics indicate that 45% of recycled clothing is worn as secondhand clothing.
- The IRS requires a qualified appraisal to be submitted with tax returns for any single clothing or household item that is not in good used condition or better, and for which you deducted more than $500.
- On average, Americans buy at least twice as many pieces of clothing as they did 20 years ago.
- Having a way to contribute during a time of natural disaster is empowering. Finding your individual way to make a difference is can make you feel more confident that things will eventually be alright.
- Estimates indicate that 70% of social media users would take some kind of action in response to a friend posting a social media story about making a charitable donation. Can your one donation begin a snowfall effect that will have a huge impact?
- Living in a one to two season climate, it is easy to tell if you have clothes that could be donated. For example, if you have not worn an item in six months, it may be time to let it go.
- People who have more than they can ever use are often in the best position to give to others.
When it comes to a natural disaster the size of Hurricane Harvey, it can often seem difficult to FIND A WAY TO HELP, but knowing that you are able to contribute in some small way is a step in the right direction. Making a drop off at a Purple Heart donation pick up center is the perfect way to get started.