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VOL.18, NO.10
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P E O P L E
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5 0 OCTOBER 2021
More than 125,000 readers throughout Greater Baltimore
The greening of Baltimore City
Last fall, when BTT planted its 10,000th tree, the group chose a plot in Winan’s Meadow in Gwynns Falls-Leakin Park, a 1,200-acre woodland on the city’s west side. Volunteers from Friends of Gwynns Falls-Leakin Park were on hand to help and to celebrate the park they helped save. The group was founded in 1983 as an offshoot of the “Stop the Road” movement, a
2021 PRESENTED BY
BALTIMORE BEACON — OCTOBER 2021
SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION
Say you saw it in the Beacon
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Donate to declutter: Where, when and how By Tina Collins While isolated at home this past 18 months, some of us opened closets that had not seen the light of day for years. Faced with time at home and a tsunami of clutter, we cleaned our way through the pandemic. Now, what to do with all the suits no longer suitable, forgotten housewares or books stacked up to the ceiling? Give them away, of course! Starting in the summer of 2020, nonprofits saw a dramatic increase in donations, according to Jonathan Balog, vice president of marketing and Communications at Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake. Donations are up 25%, an increase that has remained steady at his organization.
nate items that are in “dignity condition” so they can be sold. Goodwill, helping jobseekers since 1902, sells donated items at its stores and puts the revenue toward job training and placement services for local community members in need. Many organizations use the same acceptance criteria as Goodwill. “Our general rule of thumb is we accept gently used goods,” Balog said. Most organizations also have lists of items they don’t accept. For example, Goodwill doesn’t accept tube TVs, mattresses or appliances. What happens to donations not sold in stores? In Goodwill’s case, they are sent to their outlet, where they are sold by the pound. And the final chapter in the life of un-
What donations are wanted? What to donate and what to toss? Do-
See WHERE TO DONATE, page B-3
PHOTO COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Saving our largest urban park
PHOTO COURTESY OF BALTIMORE TREE TRUST
By Ashley Stimpson Look out your window. If you see a leafy, mature tree, count yourself lucky. You probably breathe cleaner air, use less energy to cool your home, and enjoy a shady place to relax outdoors. Statistically, you’re less likely to be prescribed antidepressants or experience crime, too. Unfortunately, many residents of Baltimore City don’t see trees outside their homes — too many, according to the Baltimore Tree Trust (BTT), a nonprofit on a mission “to ensure all Baltimoreans have access to the benefits of a healthy environment.” Since the organization’s founding in 2008, when then-Mayor Martin O’Malley pledged to double the city’s tree canopy by 2037, BTT has planted 12,000 trees, completely transforming Baltimore neighborhoods like Oliver, Broadway East and Butchers Hill. In Baltimore, where the need for street trees often outpaces the municipal budget, the nonprofit has been instrumental in keeping the city’s goal within striking distance. To get trees in the ground, BTT often turns to partner organizations to provide volunteers for tree-planting events. Most of those urban gardeners are retirees, said Justin Bowers, the trust’s associate director. “A good majority of the volunteers we work with are in the 55-plus demographic,” Bowers said.
I N S I D E …
Habitat for Humanity operates five local ReStores — in Sandtown, Timonium, Halethorpe, Glen Burnie and Dundalk — where your donations help fund their good works. Habitat and other nonprofits may pick up donations at your home for free.
Contact information for donations Salvation Army
ShareBaby
www.sa-md.org To schedule a free pickup: satruck.org The Salvation Army of Central Maryland 814 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230 (410) 783-2920 Tax-Deductible: yes
sharebaby.org 1792 Union Ave., Baltimore, MD 21211 (667) 212-3455 Note: diaper donations done through partner agencies Tax deductible: yes Note: Please call ahead of time so someone will be there when you place donation in designated bins.
Goodwill goodwill.org Donation sites include: Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. 222 East Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 358-8411 Tax-Deductible: yes
Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring fairytalebrides.org 156 Congressional Lane, Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 468-2000 Tax deductible: yes Note: gowns within five years old
GreenDrop gogreendrop.com info@gogreendrop.com 1-888-944-3767 Tax deductible: yes Note: label which organization out of the groups they serve to direct your donation.
The Priceless Gown Project pricelessgownproject.com (443) 296-2075 Tax deductible: yes Note: gowns within five years old. Call first, as donation locations may be on hold due to COVID.
American Veterans (AMVETS) amvets.org AMVETS National Headquarters 4647 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, MD 20706 (301) 459-9600 Tax Deductible: yes Note: schedule items for free pick-up
Dress for Success Greater Baltimore greaterbaltimore.dressforsuccess.org 250 W. Dickman St., Baltimore MD 21230 (410) 528-1799 Tax deductible: yes Note: Please schedule a curbside drop-off.
The Maryland Department of Aging’s (MDoA) Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Re-Use Program aging.maryland.gov MDoA’s Re-Use Center at 11701 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623 Baltimore City Collection sites at the Northwest Transfer Station, located at 5030 Reisterstown Road, and the Quarantine Road Landfill, located at 6100 Quarantine Road. Satellite sites are available throughout Maryland. (240) 230-8000 DME.MDOA@maryland.gov
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake ReStores habitatchesapeake.org/restore Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake Office 3741 Commerce Drive, Suite 309 Baltimore, MD 21227 (410) 366-1250 Tax deductible: yes Note: free pick-up for large items. Donate in person at any local store Tuesday through Saturday. Locations include Halethorpe, Sandtown, Dundalk, Glen Burnie and Timonium.
Hungry for Music hungryformusic.org Hungry for Music, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, #384, Washington D.C. 20006 (202) 374-8649 Drop off site in Maryland: House of Musical Traditions, 7010 Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 (301) 270-9090 Tax deductible: yes Note: pianos not accepted
Pianos for Education pianosforeducation.org Tax deductible: yes Note: serves all 50 states
Lego Replay givebackbox.com/lego Note: Full sets not required. Put all pieces in a box and print free shipping label from site.
Donation Town donationtown.org Matchmaking for items and charities that pick up.
Clip and save for future use
SEE SPECIAL INSERT Housing & Homecare Options following page 14
L E I S U R E & T R AV E L
The Baltimore Tree Trust, headed by CEO Bryant Smith, above right, has transformed neighborhoods in East Baltimore and beyond. Its volunteers, most of whom are over age 50, have helped plant 12,000 trees since the trust was formed in 2008.
protest that successfully prevented an interstate from paving over the largest urban park in the country. (If you’ve ever driven to the terminus of I-70 and found yourself amazed that the thoroughfare peters out in one unremarkable U-turn, now you know why.)
“The old-timers on their membership rolls are legendary in our industry for basically shutting down the I-70 expansion through the park and taking over management when See TREES, page 24
Mark Your Calendar: The Beacon’s Virtual 50+Expo opens November 1 with valuable information, classes, speakers and entertainment. See ad on page 28.
Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring? Call Gordon at (410) 248-9101.
Snorkel with sea turtles in the Turks and Caicos Islands; plus, reflect at the memorial sites on the 9/11 Trail, and learn what to pack in the age of COVID travel page 19 FITNESS & HEALTH k The latest on booster shots k Best bedtime snacks
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LAW & MONEY k Can you afford to retire? k How to replace lost records
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ARTS & STYLE k Godspell at Toby’s
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ADVERTISER DIRECTORY
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