Take the “One-In, One-Out” Challenge with Goodwill

By Alia Hurst

During the holiday season, you might find yourself receiving newer items, left questioning what to do with the items they’ve replaced. Consider adopting the “one-in, one-out” philosophy this holiday season. For every new item you receive, give away the old item that is being replaced. While this is a great method for decluttering your living space, it is also a fantastic way to donate to those in need by supporting job services in your community.

Here are some commonly replaced items you can donate to Goodwill:

Electronics/Appliances

If you receive gifts like a new computer, a curling iron, gaming system, or a vacuum and have no reason to have two of the same items, consider donating. Goodwill accepts most electronics and small appliances; however, we do not accept televisions or microwaves. Even if these devices or appliances do not work, Goodwill recycles thanks to our partnership with Dell Reconnect. Donate to any Lincoln or York Goodwill location year-round during store hours or drop by our Electronics Drive on Saturday, January 7^th 2023 from 10AM-2PM at 4555 Vine Street.

Clothes

New clothes often replace older ones that move to the back of your closet or your dresser. Unless these clothes have sentimental value, consider freeing up some space by donating them. Goodwill accepts textiles in all conditions; gently used textiles are sold while textiles with stains or tears are repurposed or recycled.

Shoes

When you receive a new pair of shoes or boots for the holidays, you might be tempted to toss the old pair out. Consider donating instead. Goodwill sells gently used shoes and recycles those that do not meet our production standards.

Toys

Especially as kids grow older, new, age-appropriate toys make great presents. In fact, toys took 7 different spots on the Best Products 2022 list of 75 most popularly rated holiday gifts. Instead of putting the replaced toys in a box in your closet, take that box to a local Goodwill. 

Even though the holiday season is nearly over, giving season never ends. When you donate to Lincoln Goodwill, you are giving your items a second life and supporting employment services that benefit your own community. 

Didn’t see the item you’re looking to donate? View a more comprehensive list of items Goodwill accepts here. To learn more about our annual Electronics Drive and other ways to donate, subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on social media.

MaddiGgifts Makes the Holidays Greener with Thrifted and Sustainable Gift Service

By Alia Hurst

When you think of the holiday season, what comes to mind? Family? Food? Gifts? Trash?

The holidays can create a massive amount of waste due to overconsumption and gift-giving, yet there are ways to make sustainable changes.  We asked Maddi Galusha, who started MaddiGgifts in 2020, about her gift-wrapping service and how she uses reused and Goodwill-thrifted materials to face problems of over consumption and waste production during the holiday season.

Q: What sparked the start of the gift-wrapping service?

“For my very first job, I worked in a gift shop where we occasionally wrapped gifts for customers.  It always brought me joy to see the smile on people’s faces when we handed them their gifts! I was also always the one who wrapped gifts for my family holiday celebrations.”

Q: How many people do you get approached by during the holiday season?

“Over the past few years, I have averaged around 10-15 customers, bur with my business moving locations, I anticipate growth in that number this year!”

Q: On average, how many gifts do you wrap per person?

“I would say that it varies quite a bit.  Some people come to me with 5-10 gifts while others have had 50+ gifts!”

Q: What kind of materials do you use to wrap your gifts?

“I use a variety of materials.  I use gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper, boxes, ribbon, labels, etc.  I also use decorative tins or baskets as well.”

Q: Where do you source your materials from?

“Most of my boxes I have come from packages I have ordered or gift boxes from previous years that I collect from family after the holidays or that customers have donated to me.  I reuse as much materials as possible, especially when it comes to boxes.  For fabric bows, I use ribbon.  The idea behind fabric bows is that they can be removed from the gift and reused or repurposed after the holidays.  I do purchase supplies from second-hand stores like Lincoln Goodwill, and I also receive many rolls of recyclable wrapping paper from family members or friends who have unused rolls.”

Q: How is sustainability in the holiday season important to you?

“I think it has become increasingly important, and I am still learning how to integrate sustainability into my business practices. This year, I plan to add a note for my customers about sustainability and recycling during the holiday season.”

Maddi serves the Lancaster and Fillmore County areas.  If you are interested in learning more about MaddiGgifts you can find her on Facebook at Maddi’s Gift Wrapping Service or @maddiggifts on Instagram.

If you or someone you know uses Goodwill-thrifted materials to make something new, contact us at info@lincolngoodwill.org for the chance to be featured in an upcoming blog post.

‘Tis the Season to go Green with Goodwill

By Alia Hurst

According to a 2021 study by Forbes, Americans spend an average of $230 on holiday décor alone.  Instead of buying new, consider brightening your space on a budget by shopping at Goodwill.  Goodwill has a huge selection of holiday wreaths, trees, packaging materials and décor. Best of all, your Goodwill purchases will support various education and job-servicing community programs. 

Here are some reasons why Lincoln Goodwill is the place to shop this season:

1. Minimize Waste and Production

A recent study conducted by Stanford University found that Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of the year.  This amounts to over 25 million tons of garbage.  When you buy from Lincoln Goodwill, you are giving these items a second life and diverting them from the landfill.

2. Update Your Décor

At Lincoln Goodwill, you will find plenty of great holiday decorations that are nearly new and affordable.  Whether you are looking for vintage or modern items, you are bound to find something unique.  Shopping second-hand allows for individuality and provides the chance to personalize and/or refurbish items.

3. Spark Creative and New Ideas

Traditional decorations and packaging materials often times can only be used once.  During the holiday season, almost 227,000 miles of wrapping paper gets thrown in the trash, which would wrap around the Earth nine times.  This reinforces “throwaway culture” and becomes dangerous for our planet.  By purchasing wrapping materials at Lincoln Goodwill, you can create new uses for them after the holiday season.  For example, instead of wrapping something in wrapping paper, use a decorative tin or a woven basket (which can both be found at Goodwill).  Additionally, you can use colorful pages from magazines or newspaper to wrap or cushion your fragile gifts that you can easily reuse for birthdays and other holidays. 

This holiday season doesn’t have to be wasteful or expensive. Shopping at Lincoln Goodwill can encourage creativity, save money, and reduce waste to help the environment.  To learn more about sustainability through the holiday season, follow Lincoln Goodwill on social media and subscribe to our newsletter.