Picture This! A Photo Blog of Inspiration from (and for) Time Well Spent

Thank goodness a picture paints a thousand words! My readers know I do have the tendancy to “go on,” shall we say, when it comes to writing… So, because my concept is so incredibly visible and my temporary weblog so incredibly filled with words, and more words, I’ve created a very basic photo blog to accompany this personal blog. Check it out by clicking here. The arrows below the pics are often just below the screen image, so scroll down just a bit and you will discover the arrows with which you can happily peruse the entire site. Currently, it is loaded with images from around the internet of the types of products I picture artist members making at and for Time Well Spent and selling on consignment in the CommonSpace. 

Here's a sample of the pages you'll find on Picture This @ Time Well Spent

If all those photos inspire you to learn more about Time Well Spent, may I suggest you visit the form and function page by clicking here, the closest thing (so far) to a cyber-tour.

Green Job Acts ~ Send a Message to Your Representatives to Stimulate the Economy by FUNDING the Green Jobs Act!

Hi,

Right now, Congress is crafting a stimulus package to put our economy on the right track.

This stimulus has the potential to create good, green jobs for America – but only if Congress includes full funding for the Green Jobs Act.

I just took action on Green For All’s web site.  Please tell your members of Congress to GREEN THE STIMULUS and fund the Green Jobs Act:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5379/t/2457/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=842

Thanks.

Weekend Hours – Drop-Offs Still Accepted of Books and Warm Kids’ Clothing

The snow storm(s) kept many away last weekend but it is not too late to DeClutter For Good this month!

I will be at my office from 11:30am – 1pm Saturday. In addition to that, I’m happy to head over any time I’m not already tied up to accept donations for either DeClutter For Good event – kids’ warm clothes or books. Scroll down to read about each.

The need for warm winter clothing is critical at Cradles to Crayons. In fact, they have stopped accepting new partners (service organizations who use their services), which I’m sure was a very difficult decision for them to make and which I trust will be temporary.

I’m attending  a Growing Local Value meeting in Newburyport Sunday late-afternoon. Other than that, I can make myself available to meet at my Route 1 pre-launch office in Ipswich.

Leave a comment, send an email, text or call me at 617/548-6340…

“…our raw clothing shelves are completely empty…”

I was struck by Josh at Cradles to Crayons reply to my email letting him know about our MLK Day DeClutter For Good Event being held this weekend at my Time Well Spent pre-launch offices…

 

 That’s a tremendous help.  Thank you.  I was upstairs this morning and noticed that our raw clothing shelves are completely empty, which means we will be out of clothing packs within a few days. 

MA Readers are encouraged to bring their donations of warm clothing including warm pjs, pants, sweaters, tops, bottoms, slippers to our Time Wel Spent warm clothing drive this weekend (details in a previous post, scroll down!). Socks and undergarments must be brand new. All clothes should be in “Good Enough For Your Own Child” condition as is C2C’s policy. You are encouraged to donate other clothing that doesn’t fit their requirements to Salvation Army or another organization of your choice.

In addition, Cradles to Crayons has several drop-off locations that can be viewed by clicking here.

And, to see more about Cradles to Crayons, watch Good Morning America Friday morning, Jan 16th between 8:30 and 9am. I’m hoping their report is able to convey their good work at the Giving Factory.

The photo above is from one of my 2 trips to C2C late last year, at a time when their intake area was just filled with “raw” clothes, meaning donated clothes that are ready to be inspected and processed. I can’t even imagine those shelves being bare. I hope we are able to help, not only through our own drive this weekend, but by spreading the word to others and encouraging more drives during these cold winter months where warm clothes aren’t just about fashion statements but about warmth, safety and survival.

BTW, C2C uses happy and hard-working volunteers in their Giving Factory. School groups, scouts, families… People come to give of themselves and they get a great sense of personal fulfillment as a result! Part of the C2C mission is to change awareness and attitudes about the plight of children who are in need, through no fault of their own. These children need to know ”hope” that they will be given every opportunity to reach their own best potential in spite of their difficult circumstances growing up. Without hope and dignity, their future is bleak.  How can they strive to be their best without a sense of hope and possibility?

C2C hopes for a future when the need for their services actually declines. Until then, they welcome volunteers and donations and hope from those who are fortunate enough to be able to give of themselves, their time, their things, their money ~ any and all of these “gifts.”  Are they dreaming? Is it to much to hope for… That will be determined largely by how attitudes and stewardship to fellow citizens grow and change in the coming years.

MLK Call to Service Day Special “DeClutter For Good” event at Time Well Spent ~ Kids’ Warm Clothing Drive for Cradles to Crayons ~ Monday, January 19th 2009

 I was visiting the Cradles to Crayons website to learn all about their book fair (Click here for the details on this weekend’s event at all MA Barnes & Noble’s) and PJ’s Drive (Click here for details on this important and fun pajama drive set up as a contest with the grand prize a visit from Bruin PJ Axelson). While on their site, I happened upon the following info (Click here to link to the full C2C page):

Cradles to Crayons is in desperate need of winter tops and bottoms from size 2T up to size 18.  Due to increased demand, incoming donations are not keeping up with out-going kidpacks.  We need your help.

Donate new and gently used:
Pants
Long-Sleeve Shirts
Sweaters
Sweatshirts
Shoes and Winter Boots

 I checked in with Josh Nespoli, my C2C contact, who confirmed the need is still not being met. Here’s an excerpt from his email:

We are still very much in dire need of winter tops and bottoms, especially sizes 2T – 14/16+.  In 2008 we received an all-time high amount of clothing.  Unfortunately, it hasn’t kept pace with the increase in need.  Incoming requests have slowed down after the holiday season, but we are still sending out close to 500 clothing packs a week.  It might be cliché, but every bit really does help right now.  Thank you for spreading the word.

 In response to this news, I’ve sent out an email to encourage folks to participate in my quick MLK Call to Service Day event focused on gathering donations to help meet this need.

 In addition to decluttering kids clothes for a good cause, this is an appropriate time to encourage folks to maybe even take it a step further, as an act of service in tribute to Martin Luther King and all service-minded heroes of the past, present and future…

So, if you are in an office, neighborhood, school or church setting that might be able to quickly hold a drive to serve this need, I encourage you to “just do it.” There’s lots of info on how to get involved in your community as a friend to Cradles to Crayons and supporter of their fabulous and fabulously successful efforts ~ info on how  to serve as a supplier of needed items to organizations in service to children in need, to increase awareness of the problems that do exist and to encourage folks to get involved in efforts to help be part of the solution. Click here to get to a great link that will get you to all the details about birthday party giving, financial donations, donation drives and special events.

If you are looking to participate in the MLK Call to Service day but only have an hour or so to give and you live on Boston’s North Shore, I certainly could use some extra hands on deck this coming weekend and next week to help organize the donations and ready them for delivery. Offers to help deliver the donations to Cradles to Crayons in Quincy are welcome and carry the added bonus of the opportunity to visit the amazing “Giving Factory” at Cradles to Crayons when you make the delivery!

 I’ll be heading to More Than Words with the book donations on the 27th, combining the drop-off with a MLK breakfast at Bentley ~ how fitting! That said, if we reach our goal of 1,000 books, we’ll need another delivery made and a visit to Waltham-based More Than Words is quite inspiring.  

Of course, if you can only give a little of your time, that’s okay, too. Just do what you can ~ that’s something that changes for everyone based on time, health and circumstances. Indeed, sometimes concentrating on one’s own needs in an effort to become stronger and more focused on living a life of awareness and purposeful intent is the first step toward living a more meaningful and fulfilling life not only for one’s self but for others as well!

Here are the details for this weekend’s special DeClutter For Good drives:

Cradles to Crayons and Barnes & Noble Kick Off Educator Appreciation Week with a Special Book Fair in Burlington. Purchase Books with a Special C2C Voucher at ANY B&N to Help Fund C2C’s Efforts on Behalf of MA Children in Need

Here are the details I got from Josh Nespoli, and my contact at the wonderful organization that effectively and efficiently serves as a central point for giving to children in need in Massachusetts:

On Sunday, January 18th and Monday, January 19th Cradles to Crayons and Barnes and Noble are partnering on a book fair to kickoff Educator Appreciation week.

· PreK-12 save up to 25% on classroom and personal purchases, including 10% on CDs and DVDs.

· Sunday January 18th at 2:00 pm; don’t miss author Peter Arenstam of “Nicholas A Massachusetts Tale,” at Barnes and Noble in Burlington as he reads a very special children’s story time (with coloring activities).

**Present the voucher during checkout at any Barnes and Noble location on January 18th or 19th from 9:00 am thru 11:00 pm and Cradles to Crayons will receive a percentage of your purchase.**

The text is a little tough to read, but click here to access a printable copy of the voucher referenced to read more about the fun story hour planned for Sunday at 2pm in Burlington. The voucher can be presented at ANY Barnes & Noble store so that a % of the sale will be donated to Cradles to Crayons.

Thank You 2008 ~ Taking a Moment to Extend my Thanks Before Diving into 2009 ~ Gratitude is an Underused Emotion and Appreciation an Underused Expression!

Taking a risk here (what’s new?) as I boldly attempt to thank all those who, whether they know it or not, helped me in my milestone year, as I threw caution to the wind and moved forward, ready or not, with the very real development of Time Well Spent, as steward to the entire concept and the social and environmental mission served (educating, involving and empowering the suburban community to living with mindful awareness and active choices that are socially and environmentally responsible and forward-thinking) .

What’s the risk in saying thanks? Why, leaving someone out, of course! And, given my issues with memory (loss, that is) and information overload, leaving someone out is a very real risk. So, let me just say THANK YOU up front to the countless people known and unknown who expressed their support of the Time Well Spent concept and their belief in it as a worthy and viable undertaking…

North Shore Women in Business, www.nswib.org

Ginny Maglio, www.optimumdevelopment.com  

Debra Crosby, www.aqueststudio.com

Sallie Felton, http://www.salliefeltonlifecoach.com

Nancy Black, www.organizationplus.com

Jean Boccelli, http://www.yourpositiveimage.net/aboutjean.htm

Liz Silva, http://www.hamiltonbookkeeping.net/

Bentley University (previously Bentley College),  www.Bentley.edu

Nicole Gamer, Associate Director, Development & Alumni Relations, and all the ladies involved with the Women’s Alumnae Chapter

Greg Maynard, Program Director, Regional Strategies & Regional Development Office

Small Business Development Center & Enterprise Center

Margaret Somer, SBDC Regional Director,  http://www.salemstate.edu/sbdc/bios.html 

Laurel Costello, SBDC Training Coordinator http://www.salemstate.edu/sbdc/training.html

Cathy Julien, Operations Manager, www.enterprisectr.org

Massachusetts Social Enterprise Networking Group

Anne Wunderli, www.pinestreetinn.org

Jessica Lee, www.newsector.org

David Jordan, http://www.sevenhills.org/about_president.html

 Service Organizations

Josh Nespoli, Cradles to Crayons, www.cradlestocrayons.org

Jodi Rosenbaum  More Than Words, www.mtwyouth.org

Deborah Moules ,S.A.F.E. Studio, www.safestudio.org

Sheila Taylor, Ipswich Caring, www.ipswichcaring.wordpress.com

Check out my page on service organizations for a more complete listing of the growing list of organizations I’ve been in contact with and/or blogged about. ~ One of my favorite parts is learning of all the great organizations out there doing good work on the behalf of others and knowing that we can help through our DeClutter For Good events and the publicity that will accompany those events (soon!).

 Donators

Those who donated to my temporary office (Sallie Felton, Julie Finn, Priscilla Herrington)…

All of those who donated to the donation drives…

And, all of those who have been supportive via email and telephone and have worked to provide donations whether it worked out or not! (There’s always the next DeClutter For Good donation drive!)

Family and Friends, New and Old

Rob Gallant, my husband, for patience, moral support and dinner preparations at home.

Mark Gallant, my son, and his friends Nick, Brian, Will, Manny, Drew and Chuck, for carrying up all the clutter for its new life at Time Well Spent.

Allison Gallant, my youngest, for proofreading my e-newsletters for errors and clarity of message ~ great skills and such important help ~ and if a bright 12-year-old can follow what I’m talking ab0ut, I figure most adults will, too!  (Note: The January e-newsletter is missing 2 links – to my Wish List page and my Help Spread the Word page. Geez, Alli, slacking off?! Kidding, of course, not a bad track record for a pre-teen! xoxo)

Betty and Charlie Darcy, my parents, for help with the rent!

Eileen and Rob Klapprodt, for help with my Echoing Green fellowship application.

Carol Leblanc, Mary Rokosz, Jo-Ann Duncan, Mike Koerber, Deb Galanis and Carolyn DesRosiers, friends and neighbors who have collectively given their moral support along with their own time spent considering Time Well Spent and sharing their thoughts and feedback.

James Palombo, my first student intern, extra thanks for putting up with the crazy year that was 2008! A bit like learning from the proverbial absent-minded professor!

Brian Rybicki, another guinea pig, the first of what I hope will be many community service teen volunteers. Starting early sets one up for a fulfilling lifestyle that incorporates service.

Chris Karras and Karen George, www.cgtrucking.com, my kind landlords who allowed me to rent their space on a month-to-month basis for “a few months” that haven’t ended yet!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not on the list because I missed you?

PLEASE accept my most sincere apologies and know that, “It’s not you, it’s me!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not on the list because you haven’t gotten involved yet?

That’s what New Year’s Resolutions are for!

Put Time Well Spent atop your list and it’s sure to add to 2009

in a way that only helping others and contributing to the collective good can do!

January DeClutter For Good Donation Drive ~ More BOOKS for More Than Words

For January, I’m going to conduct another book drive, this for a couple of reasons including the facts that I’ve already gotten many book donations from folks over the holidays, it’s already Jan 9 (!) and I’ve got to write my business plan and solidify my financial projections (ugh!). All that said, I’m determined to keep the monthly drives going as discussed in a recent post.

Since I’ve already learned about the wonderful organization More Than Words and will be in Waltham at an MLK breakfast at Bentley at the end of the month, another DeClutter For Good event focused on BOOKS makes a lot of sense. I can combine my trip to Bentley with a drop off at More Than Words. It will give me a chance to congratulate them in person ~ MTW was just recognized as a Social Innovator of the Year by the Social Innovation Summit, a Cambridge-based organization supporting new values-driven businesses. Bravo to More Than Words! To read about this inspiring organizations that teaches at-risk teens business and life skills, you can read my post introducing them by clicking here or search for “More Than Words” with the SEARCH tool in the right-hand column to access all of my posts that reference them one way or another.

Click here to go directly to the More Than Words website where you can access their ebay store for some great deals on books for an even greater cause. And, if you find yourself in Waltham, the More Than Words bookstore and coffee shop is definitely worth a visit ~ I’ll take pics next time I’m there!

Here are the DeClutter For Good Book Drive details:

 

For Whom?      To Benefit Teens & To Grow Our Book Collection 

With Whom?   More Than Words, Cornerstones and Time Well Spent

What?                Books for All Ages

When?              Sunday, January 18th,  10am-4pm

Where?             Time Well Spent Pre-Launch Office

                           89 Turnpike Drive/Route 1, Ipswich, MA

Why?             In support of teens at More Than Words,

                        the kids at Cornerstones School 

                        and our mission at Time Well Spent, 

                        three great reasons to declutter at home…   

Just pull up in the front parking lot and give a toot! I’ll be out with help in a jiffy to carry your donations into my temporary office where we will organize and box up the books to deliver to More Than Words.

Can’t make it that Sunday? Send me an email or comment on this post and we can arrange for an alternative drop off time. Ultimately, our DeClutter For Good drives will be weekend long events, but we’ll make it work in the meantime!

Goal-Setting !

Tracking and quantifying results is an important part of social enterprise as it is in all forms of business. In October, we collected 438 books, donating 385 books to More Than Words and keeping 53 for the Time Well Spent book collection that will be an anchor to our Learning and Sharing Resource Center which you can read more about by clicking here. Let’s top that total! I’d love to reach 1000  books donated so it will take a collective effort. January is a classic time for getting organized and going through your book collections, finding those treasures you want to keep and parting with those that can be put to good use in the hands of others.
 

For those who are getting into the swing of decluttering full schedule, go to the tentative schedule page and plan to DeClutter For Good with Time Well Spent throughout the year. By focusing on different clutter areas that need to be tackled one or two at a time, the task is brought down to manageable size AND there is the added incentive that comes with knowing our collective clutter will help those in need, and the environment, in the process. While Clean House and Clean Sweep are great TV shows to inspire a declutter mission around your house, they come with a full crew of helpers along with the hosts ~ something my husband often says we could use at my house and I’m the one preaching the virtues of decluttering!

Any questions, ask!

 

 

 

 

 

For Visual Thinkers ~ Another depiction of the space as I envision it at Time Well Spent

Just learned a new trick on the computer ~ How to save Word files as JPGs ~ So, expect some image-heavy posts!

Here's my vision for the brick and mortar space for Time Well Spent. The different areas are described and referenced throughout my weblog. Just search for any keyword!

Or, click here for the page describing the layout and the plans for each space at Time Well Spent.  Yet again I feel the need for my disclaimer/apology: This is my personal weblog that is serving as a pre-launch space so navigating the site is a bit of a challenge… Someday, there will be an amazing, easy-to-follow, website that makes life easier for all trying to live with purposeful intent for themselves, their families, those in need and the environment. That reminds me, check out my Wish List page for a listing of many of my areas of need and, you guessed it, a website designer is on the list!

DeClutter For Good at Time Well Spent in 2009

DeClutter For GoodTM Donation Drive Plans for 2009

 

Happy New Year! I hope the holidays provided a nice break from the typical work schedule and the tales of economic gloom and doom that seemed to define the last quarter of 2008. While rested isn’t the word that first comes to mind to describe the hectic holiday season, including 12 days with the kids on vacation, the break was definitely an important one. Still, I’m eager to get back to the business of getting my social enterprise off the ground. Sure, everyone needs to take a break from their projects from time to time to get some perspective. But now, I’m excited, even anxious, to get back to work, wondering how things will come together in what I know is a critical time to bring my concept to the next level…

While I know for sure that I have to focus on the business planning end of things for Time Well SpentTM ~ getting the initial funding and working out the projections for a financially-sustainable model ~ I plan to continue my “action while planning” approach to developing the business model. This allows me the opportunity for real-world experience to see just how the concepts that so clearly exist in my mind will translate to the real thing. It also provides a means to begin helping others in need, sooner rather than later, through our monthly DeClutter For GoodTM donation drives, even as I continue to do my research of and networking with mission-driven organizations…

Of course, it’s still a work in progress (an understatement!) and the donation drives will be of the “mini” variety until Time Well SpentTM  is officially up and running as the multipurpose center it is destined to become. Below I’ve provided my working list of the types of drives I envision doing and, in some cases, organizations I anticipate working with. Help me fill in the blanks by contacting me about any pressing needs you have regarding excessive clutter in your homes you’d like to put to good use and/or any service-driven organizations you are aware of that could benefit from a specific DeClutter For GoodTM donation drive topic.

I’m going to make the working list into a calendar-based page on this site (It’s my personal weblog serving as the pre-launch site for Time Well SpentTM) but I wanted the chance to explain my mindset in this blog post and set the plans in motion for 2009. Click here to read the past post about the DeClutter For GoodTM monthly donation event concept. Here’s the link to the DeClutter For GoodTMschedule page I’ve added that will be continually updated throughout the year with all kinds of detailed information about the when, what and for whom regarding each monthly drive.

Or, just read on for the overview of the DeClutter For GoodTM donation drives planned…
 

Likely DeClutter For Good Donation Drives & Potential Recipient Groups and/or Organizations

Computer Equipment and Computer
Games (need to track the best re-use of equipment, games will go to Cornerstones of Ipswich)

Bicycles (for use as transportation in third world countries)

Prom Gowns (for local distribution to needy communities, we will track the need)

Ladies Clothing Drive (for ReRun for HWAC Boutique, a consignment shop in Salem)

Business Clothing Drive (for local organizations serving those trying to get on their feet after trauma)

Book Drive (for More Than Words and other local organizations providing books to those in need)

Warm Winter Items ~ extra blankets, hats and mittens, winter boots (Cornerstones)

Baby Paraphernalia Drive (for Cradles to Crayons, baby needs being their most challenging to meet)

Sports Equipment &
Paraphernalia (for communities in need, whether in MA or not, we’ll track the need)

Toys & Games (for Cradles to Crayons to disseminate through their amazing system to those in need locally)

Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are aware of an organization that might be interested in sponsoring any of the DeClutter For GoodTM weekends, please let me know… I am working on a worthwhile sponsorship package that follows my win-win-win motto! In the current economic and social climate, it’s more important than ever for organizations to show their support for those in need even as their own business needs more attention. Sponsorship will include a photo opportunity, 2 press releases, recognition and links on the Time Well SpentTM site and in the monthly newsletter.

Ongoing Opportunities to DeClutter For Good at Time Well Spent

Along with the monthly events, keep in mind that ongoing decluttering will exist at Time Well SpentTM for a variety of your typical clutter. Check out the pages of items we could use at Time Well SpentTM (the big stuff and the little stuff). And, rest assured, we’ll work to find organizations that can use those supplies that we can’t put to good use. In addition, we have some truly inspiring plans for finding worthwhile uses for many items that were headed for the trash or the recycling bin, another great twist to the DeClutter For GoodTM concept at Time Well SpentTM. Click here to read more about this recycling and reuse aspect of the decluttering plans!

Time to get down to business of making sure that 2009 is the year that Time Well SpentTM will come to exist as a vibrant, collaborative, arts and crafts, recycling and repurposing, community wellness center and consignment shop! Until next time, N.