Uses for Old Jackets

November is the time of year when days become shorter and the air becomes colder. Flu shot appointments outline various calenders about the country and children wake up to stuffy, boogery, icky noses wishing it were the holidays or at least a snow day. This is the time where the short sleeve shirts hibernate in the drawers and coats and jackets make a come back for the return of the cold season. Since we all grow or shrink, we are bound to out-fit or under-fit our jackets. There are many economical, beneficial, and charitable uses for old jackets.

1) Donate

There are thousands of kids in America whose families struggle to make ends meat and rarely get a day of three healthy meals. On top of that, many do not have a strong winter coat to battle the stinging icy wind and snow. Homeless people around major cities such as New York City have to settle with garbage bags to keep warm. A winter jacket would not only make them more comfortable in their already difficult situation but will also prolong their life and protect them from sickness. Donate your old jackets to the poor men, women, and children in America. I cannot think of one reason why you shouldn’t donate them. Here are some causes in which you can donate. Children, in your schools ask if their is an upcoming winter jacket/coat/clothing drive and make sure you know what cause it is going to and donate.

A) The Vietnam Veterans of America is a good site to donate clothes to. All the donations go to people who need the supplies and on the site page, their is a map of the United States of America. Simply click on your state and look for your county/city and information will be given on how to donate. 

http://www.clothingdonations.org/accepted.htm

B) Another reliable source to donate to is the Salvation Army. They are an organized group with strong funding and many years of experience in aiding the poor in America. It is their specialty. In this past year the Salvation Army received over ten million donations. If you want to donate for this cause simply go to the website and type in your zip code or city to find the center nearest to you. 

http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/B126E05AEAE85714802572E300062069?openDocument

C) The Red Cross is another cause you should donate old or unused jackets towards. They are a strong well-endowed organization just as the Salvation Army is, and will directly give your donations to those who need it. Search around this site to find many other opportunities in which you can donate to.

https://american.redcross.org/site/SPageServer?JServSessionIdr004=t36ebxyhr1.app297b&pagename=ntld_main&s_subsrc=RCO_ResponseStateSection

2) Family

If you have family relatives with younger children than your own, donate your kids’ old jackets as long as they are still in fit condition for the winter weather to come. I am not saying give your nieces and nephews an old jacket as a holiday gift but give it to them simply because it will still be used accordingly rather than occupying shelf space in your home.

3) Pillows and Blankets

For long car rides old jackets, since they are made to be warm and comfortable, are good pillows and blankets. This is a great use for them if you do not want to give them away nor leave them on the shelf uselessly. Sure, using jackets in a way such as this is not what their basic function entails, but it keeps them useful and substitutes for bringing pillows and blankets from home into the car.

I hope you follow this guide this winter because their is no reason your winter coats and jackets should go to waste. Do with them what you feel is right, wether it may be donating to a cause or family members or using them as reclining substitutes. Do not leave them in your closet never to be used again because they still serve a purpose.