Ode to Freecycle

Never heard of it? http://www.freecycle.org/

It's a way for people to post items they no longer want/need and offer them for free to others in their area. It saves items from going into the trash (and in some areas, you have to pay per pound of garbage you put out).

Items large and small... Someone just picked up a loveseat from me and I'm told it will be going into a classroom as a snuggle place for when kids want to read a book. I have a friend who found a beautiful wrought metal bed through Freecycle.

I've given away used clothing, unused unopened hair dye and other items. I've picked up pots for plants, storage racks, a roof vent, etc..

I think and hope it will only grow in popularity for economic and environmental reasons. I also think it is a great community-building phenomenon.

If there isn't a Freecycle group operating in your area you could help start one up (see their site), or you can try posting on Craigslist - they have a Free section as well.

My Cousin's Biz

My cousin, TJ, and a friend have started a great new business: Mother Earth Fundraising. They are just starting out, more products will be added.

I only became aware of fundraising businesses like this a few years ago when a girl in the neighborhood started coming around once a year with a catalog of cards and gift wrap, candles, etc., trying to collect orders. A portion of the sales was going to an organization at her school. My cousin's business is supplying recycled, organic and eco-friendly products for all kinds of non-profit fundraising, such as schools, little league sports teams, etc.

From their website:

Finally - your school or non-profit can 'Raise Money Responsibly' through our web-based fundraising program featuring exclusively eco-friendly products.

Mother Earth Fundraising strives to create an eco-friendly business model that is both sustainable and responsible for the consumer & environment by:

• Featuring exclusively eco-friendly and organic products
• Creating a near paperless company
• Purchasing carbon-credits to offset all carbon created from order shipping and other operations
• Packaging orders in recycled boxes & protect contents with eco-friendly materials
• Encouraging groups to change their approach to traditional fundraising

We want to change the way non-profits approach fundraising. We’ve created a ‘responsible’ eco-friendly program that your group can be proud of:

• We've eliminated tedious tasks: no catalogs, order forms, money collection, tallying or product distribution
• Our program supplements, or replaces, current fundraisers
• Your community will have access to our programs year-round in order to continuously support funding
• Set a great example for students, parents, and your community!