The myths of Value Village's value

Many people donate their used clothing and household items to Value Village.
The general idea is that somehow donating to Value Village helps those in need, there are varying myths surrounding if or how this actually works. I am here to debunk at least some of these myths.

Myth #1) That Value Village provides inexpensive items which would help people with a low income shop for their homes.
Fact) Value Village generally charges rather high for their products, they also have (at some locations anyways) a very bad habit of putting dirty, stained and generally poor products on their shelves.

Myth #2) That Value Village donates the money they make to charitable causes.
Fact) Value Village is "The world's largest FOR PROFIT thrift store chain"

Myth #3) Big Brothers, Canadian Diabetes society and others who pick up donations sell the items and keep the profit for their causes.
Fact) These groups pick up the donations at their costs, VV goes through and then pays on a per box/bag rate for the items they will sell. The quality or value of the items themselves is not taken into account.


What can you do to help?
To start, if you just want to get rid of a lot of stuff, Salvation Army Thrift Stores not only have better prices to help shoppers with low incomes, but the money they make from selling items goes directly back into social programs the Sally Ann provides to communities all across the country.

My personal favourite (which really only works if you are in the Lower Mainland of BC) is the Richmond Shares website . It is a cooperation of the Poverty Response Committee, other agencies and members of the community in Richmond, BC.
You can list items you have to donates on the site, after that point the various social agencies who are partnered, as well as low income individuals seeking items, will browse the site and contact you (only the agencies will have access to your contact information so it is not listed in a public manner). This method is really most beneficial if you are wanting to make sure your used items are going to go to people who really need them.

So at the end of the day, if you are simply looking to get rid of items conveniently without too much concern for where they go, VV is right for you. However if you want to rest assured that the items you donate are going to help people every step of their way I hope you will consider one of the other options such as the Salvation Army, or if you're in the Lower Mainland of BC, Richmond Shares.

Exotic Dancers for Cancer

It's almost that time of year again.
It's so much fun!!!

What: The 4th Annual Exotic Dancers for Cancer
When: Feb 25th, 2007 4pm to Midnight
Where: The Drake Showlounge, 606 Powell St Vancouver, tickets $10 at the door
Who: You and a few dozen of BC's hottest exotic dancers
Why: To help raise money for the BC Breast Cancer Society and a former dancer currently battling a disease that will affect 1 in 9 Canadian women.

This event has taken on a life of it's own. I will keep this short and sweet (because I'm at work) but if you enjoy bare boobies this is the fundraiser for you!
It is a strip-a-thon so be forwarned that there will be a non-stop lineup of nakedness.
That isn't all though, the club is big enough that if you still want to show your support you can find a spot where you don't have to watch.
There will be a silent auction as well as raffles and goody bags. There will be t-shirts for sale and photos with your favourite dancers.
As the donations start to come in I will list them here to entice you into attending.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season.
'Wii' did.
I had an opportunity to be one of the best moms and had a wii under the tree. I normally would never buy into such materialistic nonsense. Last year the big gift was a portable dvd player. Since we don't have cable and we only have one tv this was a great way that everyone doesn't always have to watch the same thing, we can rent 2 movies at a time and they don't all have to be for kids lol.
The thing was, Santa got a LOT of credit since he brought it, same with the game boy the year before that. This year I beat him to the punch with the wii, my son had told me bofore Christmas that he knew only Santa would ever bring a wii since I wouldn't spend that much money on him (Portable DVD and Game Boy used as examples).

Christmas Eve I made my first turkey, I want to say by myself but my Mom was there holding my hand. I was quite pleased because the turkey wasn't dry and I managed not to get anyone sick with salmonella *golf claps*.
My Aunt and Cousin joined the rest of us, it was a bit crowded but very cosy and festive, we got to catch up and take pictures, listen to Christmas carols and get full.

On Boxing Day I was in Surrey doing a turkey dinner for the homeless ladies out there.
I can't begin to express how rewarding it was, even with the negative feedback I had recieved.
I have rarely ever seen a group of people who were so appreciative of something so considerably small
It was a really emotional night for me. Most of the girls said it was their best Christmas in years, for some it was their best Christmas ever. That does make me sad that prior to this, probably with unahppy homes or in foster care, the best christmas was one spent on the streets, anyways, I am just so proud and happy to have been a part of it.
I absolutely can not wait until next year to do it again.