Guest columnist Beth Milstein is vice president of retail at National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland (NCJW/CLE).

It’s that time of year again. The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining – and the air is starting to smell of disinfectant cleaner.

Spring, traditionally, is when we take on all the cleaning we intended to do, including sorting out our closets and cleaning out our drawers.

A dilemma that often keeps people from sorting and donating their clothes is that they don’t know what to keep, what to donate, or where to go.

The choices sometimes seem paralyzing. So instead of giving away a pair of black pants, they just put them in the back of their closet. When this happens, no one benefits!

As Vice President of Retail at National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland (NCJW/CLE), I know how important donations are to the community.

NCJW/CLE hosts one of Cleveland’s most talked about designer sales each year: Designer Dress Days. (Psst: save the date of November 4, 5 and 6, 2022). The sale is a 50-plus-year historic community event showcasing designer finds – from clothes and handbags to jewelry and furs – at a fraction of their original price.

NCJW/CLE also houses Thriftic Showroomone of Cleveland’s largest upscale resale stores.

All revenue from our retail sales goes to the work we do – to help improve the lives of women, children and families in Cleveland.

As someone who spends her days sorting through donated clothing and helping clients find clothes to wear for a job, I know how meaningful someone can find these black pants.

Here are my top do’s and don’ts for donating:

Do donate if you haven’t worn an item in over 12 months – chances are you won’t be wearing it this year either.

Don’t be afraid to donate high-end items like a suit or evening dress. Many places set aside these items for special programs and fundraisers that help those in need prepare for the next job interview or for events like prom.

Do examine your clothing carefully before making a donation. No one feels good wearing a torn or dirty shirt.

Don’t donate things you wouldn’t want to use, like underwear! Donations such as socks and underwear are best received when new, in their original packaging.

Do check where your donations are going. Donating is always more fun when you know your clothes are going to a good cause.

NCJW/Cleveland, which strives to improve the lives of women, children and families in the community, accepts donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can drop off items at 26055 Emery Road.

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