So, I knew we had a lot of blankets, perhaps an excess of blankets, but I didn’t realize just how many blankets we’d accumulated over the years until I went through and sorted last night. I had Anand go through his too — there were Angry Birds blankets that he’s long outgrown, for example, that were just shoved in his closet.
I didn’t want to push him to get rid of anything he was super-attached to, but we talked about the kids in the shelters, with winter coming, and not enough blankets, and I was glad that he was willing to pass items along.
We managed to donate a fair number of travel toiletries too — I generally collect those from hotels when I’m at conferences, and just keep them in the guest bathroom, but we had way more than we needed (we don’t have guests as often as I’d like!), so that was satisfying to pass along too.
Locals, Monica Jimenez is hosting a collection drive at my shop today (Sat 11/8), 11 – 2 — please consider stopping by and dropping off any excess blankets, toiletries, shelf-stable food, coffee and tea, warm gloves, etc. (see poster for details). And even if you don’t have any items to pass along, if you and/or your kids would like to stop by and make an encouraging card for the shelter residents, Monica has supplies set up, and they’d be very much appreciated.
And if you’re not local to me, I’m guessing there are several related drives in your area right now. Please consider looking around for opportunities. In this dark time, it feels good, helping to generate a little warmth and light.
Thanks, folks.
Donation drop-off 11-2, 301 Harrison, Oak Park.
