Spring Cleaning

Does the thought of going through that box that has been sitting in your garage or basement overwhelm you? Do you wish someone would clear out that hall closet while you are out so you wouldn't have to do it? Spring cleaning is one of those items that can stay on your "to do" list for weeks, even months. But once you have tackled the task of getting those boxes, closets and basements cleared, you always feel better. Now what do you do with those items that you no longer want or need? That is the easy part. Donate those goods and give them a new life!

For 11 years, I have been cleaning out my closets, cabinets and garage for the Tossed and Found Rummage Sale. What started out as an annoying membership requirement, quickly became a favorite way to make new space, support a JLW fundraiser and allowed me to recycle my gently used goods back into the community.


The rummage sale grew on me. My journey on the Tossed and Found Committee began as a half placement and I admit that I was a reluctant participant that first year. I didn't know anyone on the committee and the thought of sorting other member's donated items was not my idea of a good weekend. In fact, it sounded like a waste of time. But something happened while organizing all the interesting items our membership donates. I made friends and discovered that this rummage sale isn't just about raising funds to support the JLW mission. It was about the clothes, the electronics, the house wares and the furniture that our shoppers joyfully took home. These donated items were not just bargains, they were great finds in the eyes of the beholder.

I served on Tossed and Found for seven years and I realized over that time period that the sale really reached our diverse Washington, D.C. community. And with the economy struggling, our reach has grown, providing the JLW a great opportunity to share our story and increase our awareness. Our shoppers include JLW members, bargain hunters, antique dealers and families or individuals in transition, to name a few. They come from different parts of the city and all are looking for a different need. So, when you finally get around to your spring cleaning, donate your gently used items to the JLW Tossed and Found Rummage Sale. As a member you will be fulfilling a requirement. But you will also be giving your items a new life, supporting our mission and reaching the community in another way. Now, doesn't that feel good?

For information about the 2012 Tossed and Found Rummage Sale, click here.

Resolution Read!

I recently had a star-struck moment when volunteering with JLW New Members, JLW Sustainer, Diane Berinstein; and JLW Treasurer, Jennie Kronthal, at the Society for the Prevention of Blindness' American Girl Fashion Show and Tea fundraiser. There, just a few feet away from me and the young models I was in charge of for the day was one of my childhood literary heros-- Valerie Tripp.
Thankfully Valerie is a very sweet woman who graciously accepted my gushing and stammering over how she "made me a reader" as a young girl. Her stories of Molly, Felicity, and Samantha's adventures in historical times captivated me as a young girl and, judging by the thrones of young girls and their parents at the new American Girl store in Tyson's, many other young girls "readers" as well.

I am certain that you all have favourite authors from when you were young who you enjoyed reading. You probably also have wonderful memories of reading with your parents or older siblings/cousins. My parents and I used to read together every night before I went to bed and slowly progressed from books like "The Golden Egg" (my first book) and "Blueberries for Sal" to "The Bobsy Twins", "Babysitters Club" series, and of course, Valerie Tripp's American Girl stories. Now, I am a full-force Kindle addict and read about one book each week (full-time consulting gig and JLW activities permitting!)

Unfortunately, far too many children in our country do not have the same childhood memories. Only 1 home out of every 10 homes living in poverty have an adult who can read aloud to child. When I think about what an influence my early reading years were with my parents, I shudder to think the long-lasting impact not having been read aloud to could have on a child.

In the spirit of the New Year, our JLW mission focus of Literacy, and efforts by many DC organizations to help children develop their own literacy skills, the JLW Literacy Event Planning Committee is kicking off 2012 with a brand-new event aimed at promoting literacy with DC children in one of the simplest ways… reading aloud. We will be visiting programs, schools, libraries, and book stores throughout the month of January to read and facilitate “discussion” activities with kids and encouraging them to make a New Year’s resolution to read more. At month’s end, we will quantify just how much the JLW was able to read aloud in just one month’s time.

We are thrilled to be partnering with local organizations who also likewise committed to promoting literacy with DC kids such as the YMCA, the DC Public Library, Excel Academy, the Washington Jesuit Academy, the Rosemont Center, Bright Beginnings, St. Ann's Infant and Maternity Home, Early Head Start, the Boys and Girls Club, and The Fishing School - J.O Wilson for the first ever JLW Resolution Read. Stay tuned to the JLW website each week for an update on where the JLW Resolution Readers will be headed. You can join in the fun yourself by reading aloud with the young people in your own life. Together, we can turn our reading resolution into a reading revolution in 2012!