Angry in the Great White North

Freecycle is a gift giving system that we use extensively:

The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free.

The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!

The idea is simple. From their website, find a Freecycle message board for your area. If you have stuff you don't need, post a description. If you need something, post your request.

It's a good thing not to send stuff to the landfill, of course. But what makes Freecycle special is that we've found we've been able to help out people in need.

In one case, a woman suffering from chemical dependency and emotional issues dropped her two-year-old son with her mother before disappearing. Faced with taking care of her grandson, this woman's mother realized she was not equipped for the task. A family friend posted on the board, describing this grandmother's circumstances. We jumped in, and set her up with a toddler bed and mattress, and large box of clothes for the little guy, and a garbage bag full of toys that our kids had outgrown. We emptied a large corner of our cluttered garage, but more importantly we helped out some people in need. I don't know what this little guy understands about what is happening, but whatever memories he has of this difficult time will be tempered, I hope, by pleasant memories of getting a neat bed and a bunch of toys that helped him (and his grandmother) through it.

Oh, and we avoided sending stuff to the landfill.

Another family wanted to get something special for their small children, but didn't have the means to buy something expensive. Out of the garage came one of our Step 2 climbing sets that we had picked up second hand quite some time ago, but that the kids had outgrown. Into the van and over to their house to deliver and assemble the big plastic pieces. A huge hit for the little ones, who now have an age-appropriate climber and slide to play on in the comfort of the backyard.

Oh, and we avoided sending stuff to the landfill.

A single mom needing a dresser. Out of the garage comes the full-sized dresser that doesn't fit in our new home (one less bedroom), and in an instant this woman can stop living out of boxes and can start making her place seem more like a home for her and her baby.

Oh, and we avoided sending stuff to the landfill.

Obviously we're running out of big stuff to give away (a consequence of downsizing the house). We still have kids clothes and toys that we'll offer up as time goes by. Maybe some kitchen stuff too -- there are some "mystery" boxes from the move I need to sort through. But it's just the way I think. I put people first. Someone needs a hand, and we help out. Out of that comes side effects that help the environment, and that's fine. Maybe that's what bugs me most about some environmentalists. It's not that they turn that around. I never get the feeling that they truly believe that by helping the environment they help people. They say that, of course, but what they really believe, I think, is that we must help the environment. If people are hurt along the way, that's just too bad, or maybe even a good thing, since people are bad for the environment.

I don't think people are bad, not even environmentalists.