A very dear friend of mine has been running a community clothing-swap program in her town in New York for several years. The program is an incredible resource for the community: people can donate gently used clothing, shoes, and soft goods such as sheets and blankets, which are then organized by size so anyone can browse and take what they need—completely free of charge.

The program helps keep “fast fashion” out of landfills while supporting families who may be struggling financially. Children grow so quickly that they may wear an item only three or four times before outgrowing it. Through this program, families can return clothing that no longer fits and find something new-to-them in the next size. I think it is a brilliant and truly worthwhile cause.

I’ve volunteered several times to help unload and repack the collection bins. It is definitely hard work, but it is also incredibly gratifying.

For a while, the town allowed my friend to store the program’s collection bins in an on-site storage unit. Several months ago, however, that arrangement changed. I don’t remember all the details—and they aren’t important here—but she was told that, in order to keep the program going, she would need to arrange for her own shed.

Storage sheds are expensive, so she raised a significant amount toward purchasing one. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to pay for it outright, and the resulting fees and service charges are costing her approximately $250 per month. By the time it is paid off, she will have spent thousands of dollars more than necessary—unless we can find a way to pay the remaining balance by the end of this month.

The final payoff amount is $2,265.75. I’ve decided to cover that amount from my emergency “my-sh*t-is-hitting-the-fan” fund and make it happen. However, I would really love to replenish that money so I can do a good deed and continue to breathe easily (or as easy as possible) LOL 🙂

This program is incredibly important to her, and she is incredibly important to me. I want to help her if I can, but I could definitely use some help doing so and putting that money back asap. I went through my own belongings and gathered a collection of toys that I’m able to part with. I’ve created a gallery below and may add to it as I find more items to donate. I’m still brainstorming the best way to sell or auction everything and would love to hear your ideas.

My husband suggested listing each item individually on eBay to see how much we can raise. We’re also considering holding a silent auction during the live, in-person fundraising Spank-a-thon on October 10 at “Church,” our play space in New Paltz, New York. However, I’m not sure a silent auction would maximize the fundraising potential, since it would be limited to the number of people able to attend in person.

For now, here is the gallery as I continue exploring the best way to support this wonderful program. Next to each item, I’ve included a minimum asking price or reserve price, along with what I believe the retail value to be.

I welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and donations!