Green Recoverings is a nonprofit which matches gently used discards from hotels, such as bedding, with homeless shelters, charities and families in need, and helps reduce the impact on landfills.
I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and desire to help to get clean bedding to our neighbors in need, instead of wasting away in our landfills.
- The big question you keep asking is HOW CAN I HELP?
If you’re a hotel or shelter, and you’d like to register on our site, please do! See the links over to the right of this message —>
And, if you’re like me — a person trying to make a difference, here’s what you can do:
You can help by calling shelters and charities in your area to determine their bedding needs, and then contact hotel managers in your area to ask them to meet these needs by donating any gently used bedding originally intended to be discarded. I have found the hotels and their managers to be very kind and accommodating. You can remind them that this is also a tax write-off for them as well.
Once you establish a relationship, you can determine methods of transport. Many charities and shelters can send vans to the hotels for pick up, or the hotel may even offer to drop off the bedding themselves. If I can manage it, I do the pick-ups and drop offs myself as well.
You will find out how truly gratifying it is to help so many needy people and organizations in such a simple way. You are also helping our world by keeping large amounts of useable materials out of our landfills.
Bless you and best of luck!
Mary
PS. I’d love to hear of your successes! Post your comments below to inspire me and others who want to help!
do you have any ideas where i can at least start looking? For Example ~ Holiday Inn,Hiltons here in Maryland or surrounding area
I saw the Oprah segment that featured your effots to help those in need. Knowing people who have been in and out of shelters myself, this totally touched my heart. I never knew that such a simple action could produce such big results. I am truely inspired and will see what I can do in my area. You are an inspiration and an Angel..thank you for caring and for being my inspiration. God bless you.
Hi, good post. I have been woondering about this issue,so thanks for posting. I’ll definitely be coming back to your site.
Thanks Andrew!
Debbie — we’re planning to add a “hotel locator” feature to our site. Until then, the best way to find hotels is to use Google or another search engine, search under hotels and your zip code. Best of luck, Mary.
Hi Mary-
I’m a student at Seton Hall and right now I’m on a summer abroad interning with an organization that helps the homeless. An article about Green Recoverings came up in my research on the homeless in the US. What you do is truly incredible. I am part of a national service fraternity at SHU and I was wondering if we can do anything to help you out. Please let me know!
Mary I got the Sofitel Water Tower in Downtown Chicago to donate 10 boxes of the small shampoo and soaps that get swapped out after a guest stay.
Dropping it off at the Shalter Tuesday. I will take pics and film on my digital camera and send you footage for the site.
Have a great weekend.
Calum
Hello! Thanks for the post. It is really amazing! I will definitely share it with my friends.
We are just one of the Small Business Organizations that provide and direct any and all needed items for the Columbus House 586 Ella Grasso Blvd. N.H. CT. 06519 We are interested in acquiring some bedding items, etc.
by means of your contacting us at:
SUZIE’S SEGMENT OF PRODUCTIONS
151 CEDAR ST 1ST FLR
NEW HAVEN, CT. 06519-2305
203-745-6191
OR
203-772-2054
allenrh2008@live.com
or
vlisah@yahoo.com
THIS ORGANIZATION OF WHICH WE PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES IS THE MAIN HOMELESS SHELTER OF THE GREATER NEW HAVEN CONNECTICUT AREA!
hi i just saw this on oprah. i have a busy schedule but this is something i would be more than happy to find time to help out with, keep up the good work and i look forward in meeting u and helping to make a difference in our communities.
Please add animal shelters to your list of places that will take bedding and towels….. They will take the bedding that was used more than what you might want to donate to people shelters. Animal shelters cut the bedding down to fit their needs and they can discard the really worn areas.
I would like to start by saying that I think what you are doing is a wonderful thing. I wish more people would reach out and help in their community. With that being said I have a strong desire to help my community but I am not sure how to get started. I would appreciate any advice you could give. I pray that God continues to bless you with the resources and wisdom to continue to make a difference! God bless you!
BW Anaheim Hills, CA
HELP!!!! We have about 25 mattresses to dump but I truly think they can be cleaned and used in shelters. We also have about 15-20 upholstered chairs to donate that also are good condition, just need cleaning. Im in Orange County CA. Any suggestions? Owner wants them removed quickly and I would hate to just dump them.
Thanks
Michelle Moore
Best Western Anaheim Hills, CA
gmanaheimhills@yahoo.com
Hi Mary,
You are indeed doing a great work.I would love to do the same project in South Africa because I’m moved by what you do.We really need to give back to our communities.I need your motivation & encouragement.Thank you very for making a difference.God bless richly.Tshego
Hi. I am part of a grassroots start-up of a continuum of at-risk youth services in far Northeastern Illinois; part of which will include emergency, transitional, and supervised independent living situations. We have NO budget yet, so would be thrilled to hear of local hotels we could look to to reallocate furnishings, electronics, linens, computers and desks, and toiletries, such as those mentioned in the articles and partnerships mentioned. We are equidistant from the north side of Chicago and Milwaukee, and can arrange to pick up any donations that could be made available for this purpose. Any ideas can be directed to us at arogers@unitedyouthacademy.org, or by telephone at 224-717-6391. Thank you very much for your help.
Michelle – Have you contacted local shelters? Best of luck!