Recycling Plastic Bags - Last Drop of 2009

The project:
Gather up the plethora of plastic that made it into our home this holiday season and deliver it to the plastic bag recycling drop spot.

Time:
A few minutes to gather, less than a minute to stuff them into the box at our drop spot - the local grocery store.

Why bother?
Ideally, we wouldn't be using plastic and tossing it aside to end up in landfills for decades to come, flying through our deserts or forests, floating across our oceans. The least we can do is recycle it. It's easy. It's free. And it helps provide a source for other products while preserving valuable natural resources.

Worth it?
Absolutely!

Christmas Eve Prep at Church

The project:
Fold bulletins, set up luminarias, help set out treats for candlelight service on this Christmas Eve.

Time:
We arrived an hour early to help out. It probably took half that time, but I got lost in conversation somewhere along the line as we worked away and lost track of time.

Why bother?
It used to be that churches were abuzz with helping hands. With volunteerism dropping across the board, churches are hurting. It doesn't take a lot to lend a hand.

Worth it?
Yes. The candlelight service is my favorite of the year, though the people here are friendly year-round.

Photo courtesy AZAdam under Creative Commons license.

Baking for Sixteen - Apple Bread, Anyone?

The project:
Bake loaves of Apple Walnut Bread for friends and neighbors.

I usually do this over the course of weeks, but because we've been out of town so much this holiday season, today was The Day to get it done. Mission accomplished.

Time:
Several hours.

Why bother?
Every winter holiday season I bake something for friends and neighbors. It started with fudge, then evolved to a great toffee recipe I received from a friend's mom, and in more recent years various desert-style breads have been involved. This year I let the sweets go in favor of the marginally more healthy bread.

Worth it?
Yes - no one's ever complained about receiving this bread. Then again, who complains when she receives gifts of food?

Photo courtesy Katrin Morenz under Creative Commons license.

Donate Clothes, Toys and Household Goods

The project:
Donate outgrown clothes in good condition, unbroken outgrown toys and household goods in decent repair to the local shelter thrift store.

Time:
An hour to clean out, collect, drive and deliver.

Why bother?
We do this pretty often. I don't see throwing these usable items away, and we don't have anyone nearby who can use our hand-me-downs, so we take them to the shelter store. Local shelter residents receive vouchers to "spend" at this decent "department store" style shop for anything they need, from clothing to goods needed to reestablish a home.

Worth it?
YES! Sometimes I think about yard-saling it, but we come up with a couple of bags of stuff every month. That doesn't make for a great yard sale, and we don't have the room to save up stuff to make for a worthwhile sale. Someday, maybe we'll have another garage sale/yard sale. Meanwhile, I hope thrift store shoppers, be they shelter residents or others whose proceeds help benefit the shelters, enjoy.

Photo courtesy Brent Moore and MariLynn under Creative Commons license.

Back to Scoopin' Poop - Manure Patrol

The project:
Scoop lots of poop.

Time:
90 minutes

Why bother?
This is an ongoing project (horses don't take a holiday from poopin') that you can read about here, and then some. But today's project involved another major cleanout of a neighboring area.

Worth it?
Yes. The workout was great - sweat everywhere; the end result was rewarding; and the simple thanks from the horse owner was heart warming.

Photo courtesy Kathy Sierra under Creative Commons license.

Talked Up Local Band

The project:
Help spread the word about local musician Jill Knight playing a free gig in an area shopping center.

Time:
A few minutes here and there.

Why bother?
I've loved this band since my days sitting by the creek during my lunch breaks and enjoying their tunes. They're fine on covers, but have wonderful original stuff. While there was no admission to attend the performance, the band was selling CDs, their lifeblood.

Worth it?
Yes - plus, one of my daughters and I enjoyed an afternoon at the shopping center browsing, then ultimately settling down with treats and enjoying the music.