There are many things that one may choose to focus on that are less than positive.  Just open the paper and randomly point at any article.  To be sure, we chose to take the other route, which is to focus on what we could do that would best serve our clients and our community.  Realizing that there is specific reason that Spring is the main selling season- that people are cleaning out their house, coming out of hibernation, and are thinking of what’s next for them.  And in doing Spring Cleaning, this year there would be nowhere to bring their donated items;  retail donation centers are all closed by State mandate in New York.

Really, the insight came out of nowhere.  Simply, moving companies are essential, and they are less busy than normal, to say the least, with many people hunkered down.  What if we could match the generosity of moving companies with the needs of New Yorkers, and the needs of philanthropies who need donations?

Doing clothing pickups is easier than furniture! (Photo: Dan Rose)

The Spring Clean Challenge was born.  This was only two weeks ago!  And since then, we have conducted almost 50 pickups, and are spreading the word, with press coverage coming nearly every day.  This is not just a feelgood operation, since it serves Goodwill.  When the main mission of an organization is to help train the workforce- and when the workforce will never need as much training and readiness as they will when things start to reopen- the planets certainly aligned for our work.

I cannot wait for our initiative to be put “out of business” by the reopening of our city.  Until then, we’ll push to have as many pickups done and have fun in the process!

Thanks for spreading the word.  You can post our flyers in your buildings.  We hope that our small part will make you a little happier as you wait for the craziness to subside.

Thanks! -HRT