Spring Cleaning to help the City

It's March! Wow - I feel like January dragged on and February flew by. Now, it's time to think spring.

I've already started my spring cleaning and, in the process, filled three huge bags of clothes I no longer need... some of which (little shamed to say!) I haven't worn in years and all of which were in amazing condition.

Instead of taking my clothes to a thrift store where they would be sold for money, my mom gave me the great idea of donating my clothes to the City Mission's Women's Crisis Center on the west side.

And while I'm all for the thrift store, I drove away from the Mission's donation drop box feeling so happy that women and young gals would have access to free business clothes, casual wear, and home decor that I donated.

Here's some other places around the city that are in need of your spring cleaning finds:

• Dress for Success: Cleveland - Gently used business attire. Must be laundered or dry cleaned, workplace appropriate, and no more than 2 years old in style. Drop off locations in downtown, Rocky River, and Willoughby.

• West Side Catholic Center - Seasonally appropriate, cleaned clothing for men, women, and children. Looking for basics, can only accept two bags per drop off. Drop off location on Lorain Avenue, Monday-Friday 8:30-2:30 p.m.

• Catholic Charities Cosgrove Center Clothing Closet - Gently used clothing for adult men and women, drop off location downtown.

• Twice Blessed Free Store - The Twice Blessed store, hosted by Rocky River United Methodist Church, allows families to have an authentic shopping experience through donated clothing. Drop off location in Rocky River.

• Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries - Throughout their various programs and shelters, the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries needs everything from baby clothes to adult attire.

• Haven of Rest - Cleaned, gently used donations requested for men, women, and children. Drop off location in Akron.

• Battered Women's Shelter of Summit and Medina County - Fill out their donation form to see if they are in need of your spring cleaning finds.

• Local SANE Units - Fairview Hospital, Hillcrest Hospital, University Hospitals, Lake Health Center, and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospitals all have SANE centers - Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner's units - where rape and sexual assault survivors are seen. Often, patients have to leave their clothes in evidence and are in need of clothes to go home in. Most SANE Centers have 'Caring Closets'. Please contact your local hospital about their requirements for donating to the SANE center - some allow for gently used clothing, others require new clothing.

Before donating to a non-profit, always take the time to contact the organization to be sure your donation is needed at the time! While donations are always made with good intention, they can also overwhelm an organization or distract from its mission of the donations aren't appropriately made.