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PAY IT FORWARD.... Recycling bottles and cans...

By
Real Estate Agent with Johnson Real Estate, Inc. RES.0761759

PAY IT FORWARD.... Recycling bottles and cans...As many of you know, when it comes to recycling and helping out this planet, I'll do my share.  I've even posted blogs about the local Boy Scouts in Cromwell, CT that month take donations of recyclables.  This is coming up again too.

RECYCLING BOTTLES AND CANS

However the last 2 months I have missed this event.  So, I've been carrying around bottles and cans in the back of my van for 2 months now.  I keep adding to them, saying I will make to next months' Boy Scout Drive.  That is until yesterday when I was driving around and hearing nothing but bottle clanking in the back of my van... I couldn't take it any more.  So, I went to Stop n' Shop (a local grocery store) and went to recycle them myself.  UGH.

I loaded up a carriage, and had to make two trips... not fun.  After an half hour of nothing put putting these bottles, cans and plastic bottles into machines, I came out with $14.70 in receipts...  that is  354 bottles/cans... unbelievable.  I now see why the Boy Scouts collect these... they can make a good sum of money for their cause.

RECYCLING BOTTLES AND CANS

I was just finishing up putting the last few cans in the machine when a mother and 3 children came in to recycle their cans.  Noticing their attire, I realized they were upon hard times.  Clothes were dirty, hair unkempt, etc.

So, instead of taking the receipts into the store, I went over to this woman and asked if she could do me a favor.. I said "Excuse me, I just noticed the time, and I am now running late for a meeting and just don't have time to cash these receipts... Would you mind taking them for me"?

She was a little taken aback at first and didn't know what to say... I continued by saying "I'd really appreciate it if you take these receipts, otherwise they will just sit in my van... and maybe get misplaced".

She took them, and said "Thank you".  The smile on her face when I left was well worth giving them away. 

I felt like I walked away with more than $14.70 would ever do for me.  Doing this gave me such a good feeling, that I felt I was walking on air the rest of the day, I think I will do this again some day.

 

FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION ON REAL ESTATE... CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AGENT 

 

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, which includes Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Berlin, Middletown, Wethersfield, Newington, as well as all other surrounding areas.  Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.  

For real estate.. all you need to know, is VALERIEO  

If you're thinking about buying a home in Cromwell CT area, there are plenty of great buys in today's market.  There is no better time than now to take advantage of these homes while interest rates remain at an all time low.  For more information on Cromwell CT real estate's homes and/or condos please visit Johnson Real Estate to access the newest listings.

  Copyright © 2011 - By Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - All rights reserved...... ***PAY IT FORWARD.... Recycling bottles and cans...***

 

Posted by

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

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR
(Accredited Buyers Representative)

Is a Full Time Realtor® with with Johnson Real Estate, in Cromwell, CT who specializes in Homes and Condos For Sale in the Middlesex and Hartford Counties in CT.

VALERIE OSTERHOUDT REALTOR IN CROMWELL CT

valerie osterhoudt

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR ~Johnson Real Estate, Inc.
cell:  860.883.8889

email: Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR

website: www.CTrealtorMLS.com

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

What a great story it takes so little on our parts to make someone else feel special like you did something these little children will never forget.

Apr 23, 2011 09:58 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Pat... I tried to do this when the children weren't watching (they were putting some bottles into a machine on the other side of the room).  I wasn't sure how the mother would take it, and didn't want her to loose her pride in front of her girls.

Apr 23, 2011 10:03 AM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Hi Valerie.

That is a great story.

Apr 23, 2011 10:45 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Joshua.. Thanks.  I felt so good afterwards.  It is amazing how something so simple can make your day soooo much better.

Apr 23, 2011 10:47 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Valerie, those bottles and cans can really add up, and that was certainly a nice thing that you did with the proceeds.  I have a few bags in my garage, guess I need to also make a trip.

Apr 23, 2011 11:53 AM
Kenneth Cole
Weichert Realtors Appleseed Group, 2043 Richmond Ave. S.I.N.Y. 10314. office phone 718-698-9797, Appleseedhomes.com... - Staten Island, NY
NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

I'm saving my dog food cans to make a solar panel for my sun porch for next winter.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

I must admit, I don't know where the returns are.

Apr 23, 2011 11:54 AM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Valerie, there was a reason that you waited until today to turn in all of those cans.  You were at the right place at the right time and your gift to that family was such a nice way to reach out.  You may have helped to put food on their table for Easter.  Blessings to you.

Apr 23, 2011 01:54 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Happy Easter Valerie,  Such a kind person you are, I bet the little ones are excited that you made their day also.  Have a great day!

Apr 24, 2011 03:50 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

George.. Remember if you don't want to process them yourself, the Boys Scouts are having their month drive at the Stop n' Shop in Cromwell, May 7th (it is always the first Saturday of the month). 

If you wish, I'll be glad to get them from you if you wish to save you a trip.

I already have two bags ready to go.... Jake loves his soda.

Apr 24, 2011 04:44 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Kenneth.. A solor panel out of dog cans?  You have my interest on this one.  Care to share some more info on it?

 

Apr 24, 2011 04:45 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Judith.. You know, I didn't look at it that way.  I thought it would be food for that night, but there is a good chance it went to Easter Dinner.  Way COOL.

Apr 24, 2011 04:46 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Will... I'm hoping the children didn't notice and that the mom took full credit for it.  Children look up to their parents at that age, and I'm hoping the mom could hold her head up high.

Apr 24, 2011 04:48 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Retired Central CT Real Estate Broker

Valerie, very nice. There are often people that walk the roads with plastic bags to pick up cans and bottles. For them it could be to get their only meal of the day.

Apr 26, 2011 12:28 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Ed.. You're right.. hopefully this woman and her children will *not* be in that position.

Apr 27, 2011 12:08 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

Not all glass recycles. Clear bakeware and drinking glasses are bonded with temperature-resistant chemicals, rendering them unmixable with recyclable glass. Mirrors and window glass are often chemically coated or treated. Ceramics don't melt at all. Unwanted items in usable condition should be donated. 

Sep 04, 2018 12:03 PM