It is officially fall here in Flagstaff. The gentle rustling of the green aspen leaves has changed to the harsh clacking of gold aspen leaves. The pine needles have woven their prickly brown carpet on the ground.  Pumpkins are everywhere. Soup has found its way onto the menu rotation in our house, and the heater has been officially re-commissioned. I now spend my weekends drinking hot coffee on the couch, snuggled under a blanket with a good book and a cat or two.

It’s the time of year when we reflect and are thankful for all the things (and non- things) we have.  It’s the time of year when we think most about giving back and all the karmic benefits that come with the act of giving.  And there are countless ways to share the blessings that we receive with those who need them most. In Flagstaff, there’s a need for almost everything: from old computers to blankets, from food to clothes, from furniture to money. And donating your time is great too!

It is Bookmans Gives Thanks Month and every day people ask us what they can do with their unwanted items.  While we try to donate as much as possible of the items left behind at the trade counter, there are some things that we just don’t have an outlet for.  However, there are several places here in town that can take and redistribute your gently-used items.

Goodwill Industries, your friendly neighborhood Goodwill store, takes items you donate and resells them.  With the money they make, they provide services to those in need.  They are also dedicated to helping people build self esteem through the dignity of work.

Savers is a for-profit thrift store that pays local non-profits that collect donations for them.  They donate money to organizations when you drop-off your used items at the store.  Savers also provides items to developing countries around the world.

St. Vincent de Paul have a total of eight local thrift stores that operate as neighborhood distribution centers where the people in need can receive items free of charge. These thrift stores thrive solely on donations made by the community.

Read more about Bookmans contributions on our community page!

Thanks for all you do to give back!