Declutter for a Cause this Christmas

A pre-Christmas reason to declutter your bathroom drawer for a cause. The Wayside Chapel is a Community Service Centre helping people in and around Kings Cross, Sydney Australia. They have been operating since 1964 and their offering of support, services and compassion is truly inspiring.

I would like, no, LOVE you to empty your bathroom drawers and cupboards of all the hotel and sample sized shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, soap and body wash you’ve been hoarding – you know you are! – and I will deliver them to The Wayside Chapel before Christmas.

I have a personal association with issues of mental health, which many of the people helped by The Wayside Chapel are facing. The few minutes it will take you to collect these items will mean the world to someone who comes to Wayside for help. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine how much something as simple as a hot shower, shave and clean teeth, which we take for granted every day, would mean.

If that isn’t enough to convince you, here’s a word from Graham Long, Pastor & CEO, The Wayside Chapel:

“We are always keen to give people “a hand up” rather than “a hand out”. Many people fall “by the wayside” for a short time; we help them find strength to build upon for a transition to better days. At Wayside we work in partnership with many people who are expert in the fields of health and mental health but we continue to be on the frontline. In addition to the many people who present here to ask for help, there are many more that come, just to enjoy a “judgement free space” and there are some who come just to see if they can be of service to others.”

With your help I’d love to donate a giant box of these items and, in the process, kick start your efforts to control the clutter at home.

To donate: Simply post your items to Leslee Stroud, Order Matters, PO Box 1622, Lane Cove NSW 1595, Australia or if you are in Sydney email leslee@ordermatters.com.au to see if I can come to your area for a pick-up.

Here are five tips to help control the clutter and donate to your own favourite cause. Good luck!

1. Find a cause that’s close to your heart, it might make it easier to let go of that favourite t-shirt or book.
2. Remind yourself that it’s going to someone who will use and appreciate it more than you.
3. The general rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used it in 12 months, it’s unlikely you ever will.
4. Don’t donate stained, damaged or useless items. If you wouldn’t buy it yourself, don’t pass it on.
5. Ask what your chosen charity needs and if they can’t use your items do some research and find an organisation that does.