The Green Chair Project

Hello everyone and happy Wednesday!  Hope you all are having a fabulous week!  Things around here have been a bit crazy.  The Babe is sick with a super high fever, so we've been trapped in the house and I am in desperate need of some DIY supplies before I can finish up a few projects.  SOOOO, I don't have much of a progress update on her room today, but I have something even better.

This post is targeted to my local readers in the Wake County area of North Carolina.  So if you're not from around these "parts", my apologies!  But don't stop reading yet because you may be motivated to find something similar in your area!  Now, for the good part!

In the past year or so that I have been staying home to take care of The Babe, I've felt the need to find an outlet for my creativity and a way to give back to others.  Admittedly, I have not done a very good job at focusing my efforts outside of our home.  This year has been crazy (helllo, we had a tornado!), but it's high time I stop procrastinating and start giving back.

Recently, I found The Green Chair Project, Inc.  It is a relatively new charity, founded in April 2010, with a clear mission of providing useful household furnishing items to those in need.  I think their simple statement of reusing furnishings, renewing lives says it best.

The founders, Jackie and Beth (trained real estate stagers), realized many people have lots of extra "stuff" in their homes.  I know that's certainly true, but sometimes deciding to get rid of the stuff can be challenging because you don't want to go through the hassle of selling it on Craigslist, hauling it to Goodwill or hosting a yard sale.  If this sounds like you, I have good news!

The Green Chair Project's mission is to take your well loved items and provide them at low cost to families or individuals in need that are referred by partner agencies.  Because recipients purchase these furnishings at low cost, they are are able to fill their homes with furnishings they need, but more importantly they become empowered to move ahead with self-sufficiency and confidence.

I have certainly been impressed with this local project, and I encourage you to help me pass the word around about them, too.  There are lots of ways to get involved.

Here's how to help:

• If you would like to donate any well loved items to The Green Chair Project, click here.  

• Volunteer opportunities also abound for folks that can volunteer regularly, students, church and professional groups, or individuals and families that may not have regular volunteer opportunities.  Basically, if you are willing to help, I think they would love to have you!  For more on volunteering, click here.  

• You can also make a contribution by clicking here.   

WRAL also did a feature on The Green Chair Project earlier this year that explains their mission more clearly than I ever could (plus you get to meet Jackie and Beth!).  Check it out, get inspired and let's help!