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It's Moving Season! Here's Where You Can Donate Household Items...

By
Real Estate Agent with Beringer Realty

Moving Season in Champaign UrbanaIt's Moving Season! Here's Where You Can Donate Household Items...

It is officially moving season here in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. That means a lot of people are scrambling to go through years or decades worth of collected belongings and get rid of unwanted "stuff." But before you throw anything away, there may be a better option. Here in Champaign-Urbana we are fortunate to have a variety of organizations that accept an even wider variety of "stuff" as donations!

The I.D.E.A. Store

If you haven't visited the I.D.E.A. Store yet, you are missing out on an absolute gem! This organization accepts all kinds of used materials and then sells them to be re-used as art projects...and the proceeds benefit the Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation! Here's a sampling of things they'll accept:

paper, textiles, buttons, metal parts, wiring, leather, games, ribbons, carpet squares, keys, and much more!

Check out the I.D.E.A. Store website for a complete list, then give them a visit at 28 E. Springfield Ave. in Champaign.

Eastern Illinois Foodbank

Have some unopened food or toiletries that you'd rather not have to move with you? The Eastern Illinois Foodbank would love to take your donation. Items they particularly need are: canned meat, canned meals (such as ravioli), canned beans and vegetables, canned fruit, boxed meals, and unopened peanut butter. Visit the Eastern Illinois Foodbank website for more information on what to donate, when and where. (They do have specific drop-off hours or you can call to make an appointment.)

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

The ReStore, located at 119 E. University Avenue in Champaign, accepts donations of household items and appliances to then be sold to benefit the Habitat for Humanity. AND they'll even come to your home to pick up larger donations! Items they accept include: most appliances, furniture, windows, hardware and tools, garden supplies, kitchen items, exercise equipment, certain building supplies, and more. Your best bet is to check out the ReStore website for the complete list. Then start packing everything up!

University YMCA Dump and Run

The Dump and Run is an event presented each year by the YMCA to help prevent waste from outgoing students and provide an opportunity for incoming students to purchase needed items at a discounted price. It also serves as a major fundraiser for the YMCA! This year items are being collected at the Stock Pavilion from August 10-13 for the sale on August 20-21.

Acceptable donations include: most furniture, clothing, shoes, electronics, backpacks, bicycles, glassware, CDs/records, books, artwork, and other household items. Once again, a more thorough list can be found on the Dump and Run website.

Countywide Eletronics Recycling Collection

A few times each year, the county organizes an electronics collection at 3202 N. Apollo Drive in Champaign. The next event is being held August 6, 2011 from 8am-12pm, though if you miss this one, you can check back on the City of Urbana website for info on the next scheduled event. Appliances accepted include: TVs, computers and laptops, monitors, zip drives, printers, scanners, VCRs, mobile phones, fax machines, MP3 players, PDAs and video game consoles. The only catch is that only 10 items may be dropped off per resident!

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Shannon Lewis is a Realtor® and broker at Beringer Realty located in Urbana, Illinois. She and her partner, Debbie Hensleigh, help home buyers and sellers in Urbana, Champaign, Savoy, and many other surrounding communities.

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To contact Shannon with a question, for real estate assistance, or just to say "hey!":

call 217-552-8059, or email Shannon@HomeplaceAdvisors.com

Comments (6)

David Burrows
Classic Realty - Fairfax, VA
No Pressure, Just Seriously Devoted to Real Estate

Shannon, this is a good reminder to donate to others who are less fortunate. Thanks for posting.

Jul 09, 2011 11:33 AM
Shannon Lewis
Beringer Realty - Champaign, IL
Realtor, Broker - Champaign-Urbana, IL

Thanks, David. We're fortunate to have so many places around here accepting donations. One man's trash is another man's treasure :-)

Jul 09, 2011 11:44 AM
Christine Koch
eXp Realty - San Antonio, TX
Realtor - eXp Realty San Antonio TX

Shannon, I recently moved and was happy that my un-needed items were in demand by several orginizations here in Las Cruces NM.

Jul 09, 2011 12:06 PM
Shannon Lewis
Beringer Realty - Champaign, IL
Realtor, Broker - Champaign-Urbana, IL

Christi, isn't it great to be able to donate such things and know that they're going to good use? Thanks for commenting.

Jul 09, 2011 12:18 PM
Ellie Penaranda
239.776.5077 Downing-Frye Realty - Naples, FL
Naples Florida Real Estate - Waterfront & Beach Co

Shannon, a good reminder to all.  Every little bit counts and makes a difference to someone. 

Jul 09, 2011 03:18 PM
Shannon Lewis
Beringer Realty - Champaign, IL
Realtor, Broker - Champaign-Urbana, IL

Ellie, you are absolutely correct. Nice to see you, by the way!

Jul 10, 2011 01:23 AM