by Winnie Hsiu
June 3, 2011 4:31 PM
Tune in to the news these days and you will likely here a story about how the economy, which we have been told was slowly recovering, is in fact about to make another turn for the worse. This is not news to the thousands of people who have found themselves out of work and no longer able to provide for themselves and their families in a sufficient manner anymore.
With an economic downturn on the horizon, it becomes even more important for those that can get involved in charitable endeavors to do so. The self storage industry has been no stranger to giving back to the community before and will likely continue to do so now when people need help the most.
One company will be initiating what they are calling their “Spreading Goodwill” drive. A collection of 24 different self storage companies spread across the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states will be taking donations of clothing and shoes for the month of June to be turned in to Goodwill Industries.
“Goodwill Industries reaches out to youth, seniors, veterans and military families, immigrants, people with disabilities, and others with specialized needs in our communities,” said Julie Purcell, director of marketing at SAM, Storage Asset Management Inc. (a company that manages self storage facilities) . “In 2010, Goodwill Industries helped nearly 2.4 million people through their employment and training programs. We hope people ‘clean their closets for a cause’ this summer.”
Self storage companies are the perfect places to hold such drives. More often than people care to admit, they are putting things into storage that they very well may not use again. However, given an easy opportunity like this to do something good with some of their things, many people are more likely to donate something to the cause.
Clothing drives like this are not the only way that members of the self storage industry have been diligently spreading goodwill. A-1 Self Storage has taken to spreading goodwill across borders by giving to HELPS International's "Changing Lives in Guatemala” program. Thanks to the program, children in need of vision restoration or facial reconstruction that are marginalized from any or all healthcare in the country.
"Changing Lives in Guatemala is made up of a team of 20 healthcare providers who travel with gear, equipment, supplies and willing hands to provide medical care to Guatemalans” said Brian Caster, President and CEO of A-1 Self Storage. "It is with great pride we support the efforts of HELPS International – "Changing Lives in Guatemala” and the positive difference they make in the lives of Guatemalans.”
Sources Used:
“Storage Asset Management Launches 'Spread Goodwill' Clothing Drive.” Inside Self Storage; 03 June 2011.
“A-1 Self Storage Proudly Supports HELPS International!” Califoria Self Storage Association; 17 May 2011.