I think everyone hates those automated electronic messages that are left on voicemail from time to time. I often hit delete before the first sentence of the annoying mechanical voiced tape is complete. However I actually listened to one that I received the other day. It was from the Salvation Army offering to send a truck out to pick up donations.
In Anoka County, there are many charities offering pick up service for gently used clothing, furniture and household items. Many of these groups like the Vietnam Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Lupus Foundation and Courage Center come on a designated route on a rotating basis. The organization will mail or call to notify homeowners when a truck in the area and ask if they have any items that they would like to donate.
The Salvation Army however is has a new tactic for getting donations of clothing and furniture. They left this message asking me to call 1-800-SA-TRUCK to arrange a pick up! Now that is an easy number to remember.
As a Realtor, I am often asked by sellers where to donate furniture and other household items. The Salvation Army is not only a great organization to consider, they have made it simple to remember how to schedule that pick up!
So after staging your home or if you have leftover items from your moving sale, give 1-800-SA-TRUCK a call. Another way to simplify your move!
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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Dedication to customer service has made Teri Eckholm/Keller Williams Premier the Realtor® of choice for families in Blaine, Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Wyoming areas. Licensed in MN.
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Teri, We get a call from them once a while and I love it. My kids love it as well because they know all their unused toys go to a go cause.
Teri, it's nice to know how to connect people to the right resources to donate items they won't be needing or using anymore. Glad you are so helpful to everyone in this area.
These are welcome calls Teri as a reminder to clean out, clean up and do some good in the process. We all ( most at least) have too much stuff and the 1. we should learn to purchase things are are useful in the first place and not just to have it and secondly, when things have served their usefulness, we should give them away that others may may enjoy them while they still have some useful life. I donate a lot over the year and I also take pride to be sure things are clean and have some useful like left. Always pleased to do my part and the various charities and thrifts need us to help others.
I love the simplicity of someone coming to the house to pick up! The only way to go, and we could all simplify by donating our great stuff to those in need. Love the picture.
Hi Teri, this is a great reminder that we can help and clean out at the same time. These groups are so appreciative when they receive items. Nice post reminding us of where we can find sources when we are in the moving or cleaning mode.
Teri, That is wonderful information to provide for your sellers. I have not been able to find anyone here to pick up household items (of which I have MANY) and have been driving back and forth to places. This will make your client's lives much easier.
Teri, great tips on preparing for your move! I always donate items not needed. It realives the pressure and it's a great thing to do!
Hi Teri,
What a great picture! Moving is one of the most stressful experiences for home sellers and buyers,. Anything you do to help ease the pain always helps. Great job on easing the transition!
Mana--It is a way to prompt a good clean out whether you are moving or not!
Gary--Thanks!! The Salvation Army's number is easy to remember and it is nice not to have to wait for a card...So many great charities to donate too in MN.
William--Good for you! It is so important to remember to give items that the charities can actually use and not just junk! Buying smart is also important but giving usable items to others to reuse helps get rid of the clutter while doing something great for others!
Terrie--It makes it very simple when there is curbside or porch pickup! After a garage sale or cleaning day, just box or bag up everything and leave out for the truck! They leave a tax receipt on your door too.
Gary--We are fortunate to have so many wonderful charities to donate to in MN! Helps everyone all the way around.
Carole--There are places to drive to in MN too...Savers and Goodwill are stores where you can drive up and dropoff donations. There are several boxes out places to collect clothing too. But having the pickup service is wonderful!
Chris--Thanks!!Doesn't it feel great to have a cleaned out closet too! And to be helping someone else is just a bonus.
Tracy--I used paint and reversed the colors...pretty cool huh? People get overstressed when it gets down to packing and getting rid of those last few items. It is great when someone who needs the items can come and get those last unwanted items.
Teri.... that is a very easy way to remember a number. I have donated clothes and jackets in the past. But as you mentioned, this is a great thing to mention to sellers....
Great tips. I did a blog on something similar awhile ago...but I liked some of your ideas as well!
Teri - Thanks for sharing such a useful and helpful idea for sellers. We can all benefit by recycling and helping others, but it's especially timely when planning for a move. Keep those great ideas coming.
Teri, donating unneeded items to charity is a seasonal event at our house. With the kids growing out of the clothes, toys, etc. all the time, it is nice to clean out the closets and unload! After driving away from the local Goodwill, I feel so much lighter... like I can breathe again!