America's Favorite Gameshow: Will it recycle?

Spring time is just around the corner, and that means you're going to be cleaning, decluttering, and maybe even moving to a new home or apartment! You've been volunteering in Philly with us, so you're already on top of that goal, but man do you have a lot of stuff you don't need. There's no better reason to search through your things and find ways to give back to those in your community!

You'll want to keep one pair of old denim around to volunteer with us each month, but for everything else, we've got a round up of ideas and resources to help you help others (and the planet).

Medals & Trophies

I think it's pronounced "yogging," with a soft 'j'. Apparently you just run for an extended period of time.

Ron Burgundy said that. And then you grew up doing just that! You may have run a half, a full, or the unofficial race of Philadelphia, the Broad Street Run ten-miler. Your medal meant a lot to you, but since you got like 115 likes on your Insta-post of it, maybe you're more willing to part with the physical item? Enter Medals4Mettle.

You can ship your old medals (sans lanyard) to your local branch who will put an awesome new lanyard on them and gift them to patients who are running the most difficult races in life. The author of this post recently sent about seven medals within their city and it cost about $7 for shipping - a totally fair price to encourage someone in a big way!

Medical Aids

Much is made about the cost of healthcare in this country, and for good reason. So anything that can be salvaged and reused makes a big difference to those with the greatest need. Below are a few items that might be a good start to donate.

Consider finding a local drop-off point for Crutches 4 Africa, Crutches 4 Kids, or ReCares. They accept lightly used crutches, canes, and walkers which are then distributed to those in need. If those aren't nearby or if the shipping gets intense, consider finding a local senior center, Goodwill, or Salvation Army. Make sure you call ahead to confirm they accept these kinds of items!

There are several options in the Philadelphia region for wheelchair and scooter donation - including Project C.U.R.E., which accepts them among many other medical supplies should you have extras. They have a comprehensive list online for reference!

Other Ideas

Fitness Trackers - If you have a working FitBit or any accessories you no longer use, consider shipping them off to Recycle Health. They in turn provide them to populations in need to help improve their health outcomes!

Bras - Have some extra gently used bras or sports bras? Consider donating them to The Bra Recylcers. As a note, this is a for-profit company, but your donations are tax deductible.

Water Filters - You use filtered water to cut down on plastic bottles, but what to do with those plastic filters at the end of their life? Check out this post with info on a few different brands that offer recycling services!

Denim - You may or may not know the denim production takes a huge toll on the environment. So when you've got extras you no longer need, consider an organization that will keep them out of a landfill.

Sports Equipment - With schools being forced to cut a lot of extra curriculars, your old football or basketball can be a huge help to a variety of groups.

Greeting Cards - If you have cards that aren't Hallmark, Disney, or American Greetings, you can cut the fronts off and send them in to St Jude's where they are used as part of a developmental program benefitting the organization's patients.

Not sure if it'll recycle? Check here!

Other sources used for this article: RecycleBank