Donate With Care The Right Way to Donate After Spring-Cleaning
Spring is in the air, and it’s time to celebrate with another round of spring-cleaning. Banish the clutter and make room in your life for something new! Many charities see a sharp increase in donations as spring-cleaning season starts. Donating your used books, kids’ toys, and gently worn clothing allows your old items to have a second life. However, when filling that donation box, make sure you’re donating each item because it can do good and not just because you feel bad about throwing it away. Charities have a big problem with well- meaning citizens dropping off items that are better left in the trash. There are many items charities simply cannot handle. Most charities will have lists of items they can and cannot accept on their websites. Some items that you should not donate include:
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Personal care items, like soap, shampoo, or makeup
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Mattresses
Carpets
Tangled cords or phone chargers Any broken, damaged, or dirty items
These items may be unsafe to sell, costly to ship, or impossible to refurbish effectively. When a charity regularly receives items they cannot use, they have to spend hours of manpower sorting through things that end up in the trash anyway. This process can be expensive for organizations with already- strained resources. Some local charities spend over $1,000 a year on dumpster and trash removal fees for unusable donations. While charities will have no choice but to throw unusable donations in the trash, there are services you can use to make your spring- cleaning eco-friendly, even for items you can’t donate. For example, if you have torn or stained blue jeans, reach out to Blue Jeans Go Green. This program keeps denim out of control, put both hands on the wheel, and focus on the road. 2. Stay Focused Remain as alert as possible when getting behind the wheel of the car. This means you should never drive when drowsy or when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You should also not let yourself be distracted by your phone. Don’t text or check social media while driving, and avoid talking on the phone unless it’s an emergency. Even carrying on a conversation can distract you from the road. 3. Expect Other Drivers to Make Mistakes No matter how careful you are behind the wheel, whether or not you reach your destination depends on the other drivers around you. Pay attention to other drivers
landfills by turning it into insulation. And while Goodwill can’t take your batteries or old flip phone, you can check out Call2Recycle.org to learn how to safely recycle your e-waste.
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Expired medications
Old TVs
Cribs
Your donations can be a big help to local charities. Just don’t “donate” your garbage.
Loose remote controls
Stay Safe on the Road
3 Strategies of Defensive Driving
There are over 125,000 automotive crashes in Arizona every year. Around 55,000 are injured in these crashes. In 2017, 1,000 people died in Arizona after being involved in a car crash. We’ve worked with thousands of clients who have been in a car accident, and we’ve learned that a majority of accidents are entirely preventable. You can’t control other drivers, but with defensive driving techniques, you can look out for yourself. Here are three tips to become a safer, more proactive driver. 1. Adapt to the Road Adjust your driving habits when road conditions change. Your car may stop quickly on sunny days, but what about when the road is slick with rain? Or when the road is uneven from construction? When you find yourself in unusual driving conditions, turn off cruise
and have a plan for if they make a mistake. Having the right of way means nothing if you or your passenger are killed in an accident. When you approach a green light, check that the drivers in the crossing lane have stopped. If a driver has their turn signal on, be ready to act appropriately if they don’t end up turning. Being aware of possible emergencies before they happen may save your life. Many people find themselves in a defensive driving course after committing a traffic violation or in an attempt to decrease the cost of their auto insurance. But the true benefits of defensive driving don’t have a price tag. Learn more about defensive driving, including a list of defensive driving schools in Arizona, at AZCourts.gov/drive .
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