Ann’s Choice Donation Drive Benefits Local Charities

Approximately 200 to 250 people drove to the Big D (discard, downsize and donate) event at Ann’s Choice, with a few staff members directing local residents to the drop off area one block ahead of the Clubhouse.  The weather couldn’t have been more accommodating.  As early as 10 a.m., cars lined up, drivers and passengers ready to donate household products like vacuum cleaners, toasters and clothes to , Holy Redeemer Thrift Store and 1-800-GOT JUNK. 

One resident, Miriam, said it was her, “second year at the Ann’s Choice event.”  She said she came out to, “get rid of old clothes.”  Giving to others has been a long standing tradition for Miriam who let on that she’s been donating clothes to charities for 15 years.

Not too far behind Miriam were Sue, Rita and Marie.  Akin to the other Big D event participants, the three friends came out to give away things they’re no longer using.  Not only were they donating items to charity, they also had personal documents shredded. 

Value in Letting Go of Former Household Goods

Jill Tarabar of Impact Thrift Stores, a local non-profit founded in 2001, said donations the store collects from the event will benefit one or more of their three stores, with proceeds from items sold at the stores benefitting 16 local charities. 

“This is Impact Thrift’s second year at Ann Choice’s Big D event,” Jill revealed.  “We got 200 to 300 donations last year.” 

As of 2011, Impact Thrift Stores raised more than $1 million in donations for the 16 various charities it supports. 

Next to Impact Thrift was the Holy Redeemer Thrift Store truck.  The store’s Warminster office is located at 473 E. County Line Road.  Eric and Ryan, Holy Redeemer Thrift employees, called out, “Do you want a tax receipt?” to residents who donated items to their store.  Shaking their heads ‘no’ several residents let the guys know they simply wanted to give back, to help others in the community. 

“It’s our first year at the event,” Eric said, admiring the nearly 75 donations Holy Redeemer Thrift had received in a little over an hour.  “It’s a good event,” Eric continued.  “A lot of people came out.  We’d love to come back next year.”  Money raised from donations made to Holy Redeemer Thrift go to the church’s Ministry of the Sisters program, a charity that aids women and children. 

Downsizing for Growth and Opportunity

Residents looking to rid themselves of old tax records, customer files, sales and receipts and other personal and confidential documents stopped by Titan Mobile Shredding, a company headquartered in Pipersville.  “Titan shreds various types of documents,” said Christine, an employee who has been with the firm for five years, the same length of time the company has existed.  “We shred and destroy paper documents, confidential records, CDs and floppy disks beyond recognition.  Shredded material is recycled into household products like paper towels and printing paper.” 

When asked what she thought of this year’s Big D event, Christine shared that, “It’s a great event.  We did a lot more today than before.  Today we did about 100 boxes of goods. It went very well.” 

1-800-GOT-JUNK also collected donations at the Big D event.  “This is our first year,” Eric Blum, a company representative said.  “However, we’ve worked with Ann’s Choice, helping residents get rid of unwanted personal items before they move into the retirement community, for five years.” 

Furthermore, Blum thought the event was, “Great.  It gives us an opportunity to talk to people and give them information.  People who move into Ann’s Choice have lived in a home for 30 or more years, which is an easy way to accumulate a lot of stuff.  1-800-GOT-JUNK helps make moving into Ann’s Choice easy.” 

Like most of the other vendors who attended the event, 1-800-GOT-JUNK donates items they collect to charities such as Impact Thrift Stores and the Goodwill.  “Nationally, the company recycles about 61 percent of items received,” Blum said. 

Clubhouse Lunch Bringing Laughter and Good Advice

Near the end of the event, Evelyn, a resident at Ann’s Choice, came out to drop off a few items.  She said she came out because, “A girlfriend told me about the event.  I’m meeting her at the luncheon.”  Although it was Evelyn’s first year attending the Big D event, she plans to attend again next year. 

As the noon hour approached, a buffet style lunch was served at Ann Choice’s Clubhouse.  Informational booths lining one of the Clubhouse’s entrances, clients enjoyed a hearty meal as they chatted with friends and current Ann’s Choice residents.  Keynote speaker for the day’s event was Colleen Rosica, the retirement community’s Personal Moving Consultant.  In addition to helping clients with their downsizing needs, Rosica helps them to stage and sell their homes.