Category Archives: News from GiftsToGive
Listening to Chloe
115 Old Rochester Regional Junior High School students spent last Thursday and Friday with us. We ask each group for a “journalist” to write about their experience. Rather than our writing their story, they did. Student Chloe Bean had this to say:
“When I first found out that my 8th grade class was going to take a field trip to GiftsToGive, I was excited, but a little unsure of how we’d be helping out. What I learned is that at GiftsToGive, there are new donations being dropped off everyday, and therefore, there is always a job to be done. Many of my classmates were doing tasks like sorting and folding clothes, cataloging comic books and deciding their age levels, checking for missing pieces in puzzles and games, and even cleaning and dressing toy dolls. I helped out by cleaning toys and sorting them into boxes by category, and interviewing my classmates about their experience of the day in order to write this article.
Big Value is more than a store!
For the past t
en years, Big Value, has been a bright and shinning light focused on love and giving.
They have given us a ton of new items. They’ve given us financial help. They’ve sent us scores of volunteers. They’ve helped us collect tons if donations.They helped us get our Thrift Store up and running.
Recently we received several checks totaling a thousand dollars. Included was a note advising that when the ban on plastic bags was in enacted, BigValue offered paper bags to their shoppers, for ten cents per bag. We were surprised to learn that we are the recipients of that initiative. When we did the math, it works out to TEN THOUSAND plastic bags were saved from the land-fill.
When people ask us about Corporate Citizenship and Tangible Philanthropy, we smile and tell them our BigValue story! There are a thousand places to shop for basic essentials, quality goods and bargains. Why not visit Big Value in South Dartmouth and see for yourself what a bright and shining light looks like!
What do Charlie, Jasper, Mike and Clay have in common?
Bed bugs!
Yes, you read that correctly! It’s not the prettiest or nicest topic to discuss. It is actually a nightmare. But when you process and handle tons of clothing and other items, it is a very serious issue. What to do? Knowing who your donors are is helpful, but then one never can be 100% sure. We’re proud and pleased to announce that we remain and are indeed, bed bug free. A bold statement to be sure, but a truthful statement. Let us tell you why.
Acushnet honey bees.
What does a Apponequet Junior, a New Bedford Fifth Grader and a Mattapoisett Grandfather have in common? Acushnet honey bees of course!
Head Gardener and Chief Bee Keeper, Bill O”Keefe, is teaching Rosie and Sofia all about honey bees. How good is that? (Other photos HERE)
We are in our fifth season of growing organic vegetables and beekeeping. If you want to help us with our outdoor vegetable garden, drop-in and let us know!
Nicole Long, one of our earliest adopters wrote last week – “SO PROUD of my niece Abby and her cousin Georgia: over Christmas vacation they brainstormed a charitable organization called “GAB” and collected over $100 in one weekend to help people less fortunate. This morning, Abby gave me the money… (Which is being matched by their Grandmother Blair!) to deliver to GiftsToGive and I can’t think of a more beautiful start to a new year. Love these girls and their giant hearts.”
