Spring Cleaning? Help Out a Local Charity

The following was submitted to White Lake Patch by Kevin Zywiol.

Spring cleaning season has arrived and it’s time to start sorting through the clutter in closets, basements, attics and even garages.

Instead of throwing away unwanted household items, Grace Centers of Hope, a Pontiac-based homeless shelter is asking for donations in support of its four thrift stores. They are located in Waterford Township, Sterling Heights, two in Warren and a new Oak Park location scheduled to open in May.

"February, March and April are typically a slow time of the year for donations," said Paul DeGrieck, director of Business Affairs and Thrift Stores for Grace Centers of Hope. "With the opening of a new store, we are more dependent than ever on the generosity of those who donate their material goods to us." 

Each item donated benefits many programs offered by Grace Centers of Hope, which include Emergency Shelter, One-Year Life-Skills, Aftercare Program and the Children’s Program.

DeGrieck added a list of five helpful tips that should be considered when deciding to let go of gently used items:

• Get serious – the dreaded spring cleaning is inevitable, so do it now and get it over with!
• Don’t be shy – approach closets, basements, attics, garages, etc. with a “clearing out the clutter” attitude.
• Be aggressive and move on – if an outfit, appliance or a piece of furniture has not been worn or used in more than a year, it might be the time to move on and say good bye.
• Decipher wants and needs – ask a basic question. “Do I really need this?”  If so, keep it. If not, let it go.   
• Thinking of others – When sorting through belongings, it’s important to think of others.  There are families and individuals who are in need each day, so ask:  “could my unused items benefit someone else?”

Grace Centers of Hope is one of the largest homeless shelters in southeast Michigan and generally accommodates between 150-200 men, women and children daily.

"The resale of donated items can have a positive and lasting impact on the life-changing programs that we provide to the community as well as families in need," said DeGrieck.

The thrift stores play an important role in the success of the nonprofit as the four stores combined generate roughly half of Grace Centers of Hope’s revenue, according to DeGrieck.

All items donated are tax deductible and can be dropped off at any location between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or at Grace Centers of Hope located at 35 East Huron Street in Pontiac. For donation pick-ups including furniture, appliances and large bags of clothing call: 1-855-HELP-GCH.

For more information about Grace Centers of Hope Thrift Stores, including a list of acceptable donation items, visit www.gracethriftstore.com or visit the Waterford location at 5919 Highland Road, Waterford Township.