Since we have moved, Matt and I have been walking around a few items in our garage that we just don't know with what to do. First there was the piano that used to sit in our family room, but now has no place in the condo; and the reel mower that we will never have to use again. Then there was the patio set that we used as a dining table because we found that when you actually used it as a patio set, the table would rust since it was not protected. These things took up residence in our much smaller garage and proved a source of irritation until I remembered my old friend Freecycle.org. I was reminded of this site in one of the blogs that I read and thought I should go check out the postings of what people wanted.
My first discovery was a woman that needed a piano for the organization she runs for the blind. After a quick email, she had a truck scheduled and ready to pick up the piano in days. I then placed a posting for the mower and was stunned when nearly 2 dozen people in the Columbus area emailed me to ask for it. I felt bad having to turn so many people down, but the mower now has a new home. The patio set was my last hurdle. The table is rusted from being out in the rain and I thought no one would want it, so I waited nearly two months to post it. I made my post this morning and at lunch already had people responding. A gentleman let me know he would be happy to get it tomorrow and could fix it up, so bye-bye patio set, enjoy your new life.
It makes me feel great that these items are getting a second chance that they may not get if we just donated them to the local thrift store. Matt told me of one that will take donations, but if the items do not sell in a few months, they go to the land fill. But with Freecycle, you are subscribed to a group discussion of people in your area that are constantly posting items to be given away and even requesting items from the group. Check it out for yourself.
