By Vera McCarthy

What would we do without those great collection boxes that stand like sentinels awaiting our donations?
    They are conveniently placed in parking lots all around Town and you can choose what cause you want to support as shown on the outside of the box.

    One thing that always puzzles me is that there is a statement that reads, “Please do not place items on the ground.”  That seems pretty straightforward to my way of thinking and leaves no doubt as to the meaning.  Have you ever been ready to drop off your items and then see huge plastic bags piled up on the ground?  You realize that the box is full, so you move on to another site.  That is the right thing to do.  If you see the bin door is stuffed full and bags sticking out you also know that it is filled to capacity, so you move on.

    What really puzzles me is that the intent is for items to be placed inside the box and when you see couches, chairs, tables and TV’s on the ground you know immediately, that even if the box is empty, those items could never fit inside!  I always feel badly for the people who collect from those boxes.  What do they do with all that?  It’s a good idea gone awry.

    I was surprised a few weeks ago driving along a country road when I saw a couch and two stuffed arm chairs by the side of the road with a free sign.  Now, I am all for free, but there wasn’t a house in sight and it had begun to rain.  If you are like me, wet uphostered furniture is not something I would ever bring home.  We know it could never compost and go back to the earth, so what happens to it?

    We all have items that we no longer need or want.  It would be wonderful if these items could find a home with someone who would use them.  It takes a little thought and some planning to dispose of items with care, but we have a responsibility as Time Travelers to find options.  An outdated computer left in the rain on a corner will never be of any use.

    You can list free items online and it is amazing how people respond.  I offered some office desks as free items and the person who took them said he was starting up a small business and was very short of funds.  These desks would be a welcome beginning for him.  You can make a difference with a little planning and some kindness.

    Time Travelers, we can be part of a solution and not the problem; the choice is ours and the good feelings as we make a difference turns any day into a 10!