TWO-FOR-ONE!

That’s right folks.  Today’s “good deed” acts as a “two-for-one” on several different levels.  Stay with me here as I go through it all.

Okay, so my hubs and I live in a cute little building, about 13 units or so.  Although it is very quaint, something has always irked me about it.  They don’t recycle here!  At least I don’t think they do.  Let me explain.  We have a big bin in the back where everyone from the building throws out their trash.  There is a faded sticker on the bin that says something to the extent of, “This building recycles.  You do not need to separate your recyclables from trash.  Waste Management will do that for you.”

I have always thought that “someone” going through all of our trash to find the recyclables sounded a little fishy (Not to mention pretty grody).  However, Waste Management may in fact do this.  They may actually recycle, I have no idea.  BUT, the fact that I don’t know if they recycle, has always made me feel icky.  SO, today I decided that I would be in charge of a recycling program here at my building.  Then, I found out that my husband’s office does NOT recycle either!  How are people in this day and age not recycling?!  I don’t get it!  So, at our building, I  put notes on all of my neighbors doors telling them about the recycling project.  Then I put a bin right next to the trash for recyclables.  At my husband’s work, I’m going to do the same.  I am personally going to take the recycling to the recycling center (every week or 10 days or so), and that way I  know for sure our building and my husband’s work is recycling!  Phew! But the story does not end there…

It’s a ‘two-for’ remember?!

Earlier this morning, my husband, Matt, told me that he ended up talking to a homeless man outside the market.  Matt, being as sweet and kind as he is (for reals he is, and I’m not just saying that!) told the homeless man to come with him into the market and to pick out “whatever he needed”.   The man was a little taken aback, asking “Really?!”  “Yes really, whatever you need,” Matt told him.  The man ended up getting a few things including juice and few canned items.  Matt then learned that this man had been on the streets and homeless since 1978! (Before I was even born!)  That back in 1978, his wife got sick and she ended up passing away.  He went bankrupt trying to pay all of her medical bills, ended up on the street, and has been there ever since!   Sadly, this man is just one of  73,000 people in Los Angeles County who are currently homeless.  Over 10,000 are homeless children under the age of 18, and almost 8,500 are veterans.  Matt says the reason he even stopped to talk to this homeless man, was that he was “inspired” by the good deeds that I have been trying to do, and felt the urge to help him.

After Matt told me his story, he then inspired me to take my recycling project to the next level.  I will take any and all proceeds from the recycling project and use it specifically to help the homeless. Whether that’s making care packages of food and other items for homeless shelters or simply just donating the money to those on the streets, the project that started out as recycling to help the planet, has now morphed into a project that can simultaneously help the homeless!  Definitely a “two-for”  if you ask me!

For more info on recycling in your area, click here

For more info on helping the homeless in your are, click here