This episode is an interview on organizing playroom and kid spaces with 2 Girls 1 Closet’s Debra Russo and Drea Montali.
Who are Debra and Drea?
Debra Russo is a Senior Designer at California Closets New York and Drea Montalli is a Professional Organizer and Founder of Dream Organization.
Together they work at making storage spaces more efficient so busy parents can spend more time doing what they love opposed to wasting time looking for things. Together they started the 2 Girls 1 Closet podcast to share their knowledge and chat with other experts in the field to inspire you to get organized!
Show notes
2:00 how they work together, unique perspective each woman brings to the table 4:00 why being organized saves time and money 6:00 tips for organizing playroom and labeling bins and boxes with words or photos, making organization a learning experience 7:30 teachable moments
8:30 adapting physical space to little people with closet rods lowered, bins in easy access spaces, handles, etc 12:00 garage spaces (full episode below) and thinking about lifestyle for high traffic areas
14:30 utilizing vertical space 16:00 decision factors on seasonality and storing clothing for different climates or sizes 17:00 donating items to charity (curated list below) 19:00 rapid fire questions unrelated to organizing playroom
Tips & Tricks
Playroom best practices discussed in this episode increase learning opportunities for your child by allowing them to get involved with clean up and organization:
- use clear bins when possible so you can see what is inside
- label with words or pictures (dolls, blocks, cars)
- Put bins at a height where the child can reach to pull down or put away themselves
- Utilize vertical storage for items that aren’t used often
- “Edit” your closets, garage, and play spaces often to keep clutter to a minimum
- Identify a charity to donate to so you’ll be more motivated and likely to “edit”
Where to donate clothing items
This is a curated list from my social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook. Thank you for all who contributed!
1. American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is one of the oldest and most well-respected charity organizations in America. In operation since 1881, its main goal is to provide emergency assistance and disaster relief, both in the United States and internationally. If you’re looking for an organization where you can donate clothes that won’t be sold, then the American Red Cross is not for you; they sell donated items to raise funds for their organization.
What Kind of Clothes Can Be Donated
Almost any kind of gently-used item is accepted, including t-shirts, shoes, jackets, ties, dresses, sweaters, hats, gloves, handbags, coats, bathing suits, sleepwear and formal wear.
How to Donate
The American Red Cross accepts donations through a partnership with GreenDrop, which will pick up clothing from your home. You can also drop old clothes off at a GreenDrop donation center.
2. Dress for Success
Founded in 1997, Dress for Success is an international nonprofit that empowers low-income women by providing them with professional clothing as they seek and maintain employment. So far their team has donated clothes and accessories to over one million women — and counting.
What Kind of Clothes Can Be Donated
All donations must be laundered, dry-cleaned and in good condition. Items accepted must be business-attire and can include suits, dresses, pants, skirts, blazers, undergarments and accessories like handbags and jewelry.
How to Donate
Check out this list of Dress for Success drop off locations in your area.
3. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an international charity organization founded in 1865. Part of the Protestant church, they offer assistance for families in poverty, people facing disasters, as well as services for veterans, domestic abuse survivors, the LGBTQ+ community and the elderly.
What Kind of Clothes Can Be Donated
Most common clothing items are accepted, including men’s, women’s, and children’s items. All items should be in good condition.
How to Donate
The Salvation Army has two ways to donate. You can find a drop-off location near you, or you can schedule a pick-up.
4. Project G.L.A.M.
Project G.L.A.M. is a New York City-based charity that provides underprivileged girls with everything they need for their proms, including clothing and accessories. Founded in 2007, Project G.L.A.M. has donated to over 7,000 young women across New York City.
What Kind of Clothes Can Be Donated
New and gently-worn, prom dresses (made in 2010 and later) are needed. Makeup and accessories are requested as well. No shoes.
How to Donate
All donations must be mailed to:
WGIRLS INC C/O Project G.L.A.M
33 Largo Lane
Clark, NJ 07066
5. ThredUP
ThredUP is an online thrift store where you can buy and sell secondhand clothes. About 78 million items have been upcycled on thredUP since 2012.
While you can sell clothes online for cash, they also provide a donation kit where instead of giving you money, they will donate $5 to a charity of your choice.
One listener gave a great behavioral suggestion of hanging the bag ThredUP provides in the closet and gradually adding to it. As you get dressed each day and have items that don’t tickle your fancy, place in the bag. Now, it wasn’t a separate task for you!
6. One Warm Coat
One Warm Coat is a nonprofit whose goal is to ensure that anyone in need of a winter coat gets one. In operation since 1992, they have donated more than six million coats and hosted over 34,000 coat drives.
What Kind of Clothes Can Be Donated
You can contact the local organization hosting a coat drive to ask what kinds of coats they are looking for, but gently-used or new winter or fall coats of all sizes are generally what is needed.
How to Donate
Donations are given directly to organizations that host coat drives. You can find a local coat drive sponsored by One Warm Coat here.
7. Soles4Souls
Got shoes to donate? Soles4Souls is a wonderful organization that has donated shoes to people living in poverty around the world. 30 million pairs of shoes have been donated and distributed in over 127 countries, and the organization won the Memorial Foundation Leadership Award from the Center for Nonprofit Management in 2014.
What Kind of Clothes Can Be Donated
Men’s, women’s and children’s shoes are accepted.
How to Donate
You can use this searchable map to find a drop-off location near you.
Donate Your Clothes to a Local Charity Organization
Sometimes you want to give back directly to your community and drop your items off in your local town or city. Here are five of the top places that usually accept clothing donations:
1. Local Places of Worship
Most churches or places of worship will accept clothing donations. Call ahead to ask whether the items can be dropped off in front of the building or need to be brought inside for collection. You can also find out what items are needed or accepted, as the criteria may vary. Usually, items are given to worshippers in-need or anyone in-need in your community.
2. Homeless Shelters
Homeless shelters not only provide safe havens for people without homes, but they also provide essentials like food and clothing. If you are interested in donating clothes to homeless shelters, you should check with shelters in your area for their current needs. Most homeless shelters are especially in need of winter coats, as well as clothing for job interviews and children’s clothing.
3. Schools
Most schools hold food and clothing drives, especially during the holiday season. Usually the schools will then donate the items to local charities and shelters. Donating to a school means you are helping to teach school children — many of whom are involved in organizing the clothing drives — about the importance of giving and charity. You can contact your local school district for donation dates, needs and instructions on how to participate.
4. Community Outreach Centers
Community outreach centers include places like the YMCA, nursing homes, volunteer fire departments and domestic violence abuse shelters. WIth this option, your donation will directly impact someone in your local community.
It’s best to contact your local community outreach center for clothing types that are accepted and how to donate.
Connect with 2 Girls 1 Closet
Subscribe to our podcast and follow us on IG: 2girls1closetpodcast.
They are scheduling virtual consultations so feel free to DM on Instagram- you don’t need to live in New York City to get their help!
Also check out the podcast. Listeners have learned how to live more sustainably, stop wasting time looking for things and enjoy life, stop buying clothes on sale and shop your own closet, time management and efficiency tips to be more productive in daily life.
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