Rather than hitting the consignment stores, Craig's List, or the classifieds, there are some Baton Rougeans who have learned the secret to getting second-hand items for free.
It's called Red Stick Free Use, a YahooGroup founded in 2004, "dedicated to reducing waste by connecting people who would otherwise throw away unwanted items with others seeking those same items."
Through the generous spirit of members of this online community, many items offered for donation are in good working condition and are just simply no longer needed. Other items may need a little work or may be offered for parts. All items offered on the group must be completely free of charge.
This month to date, a sampling of items offered by Red Stick Free Use donors included bottles of fish oil capsules, Indian lettuce seedlings, recliners, a sofa, several TVs, a new sewing machine, a refrigerator, various books and children's toys, a fireplace mantle, neck braces, glucose meters, books and books on tape, and several microwave ovens.
The group has quietly grown over the years to over 4,500 members in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas, and the secret to its success is "offering" before "taking." Before accepting another member's donation, members are encouraged to first offer something themselves.
People who "seek" a particular item may also post one message per week.
Not too proud to do a little "dumpster diving"? Eagle-eyed group members post reports of interesting items seen curbside around the city, so that others can sift through the discarded items for hidden gems before the garbage truck arrives.
Local area residents with unwanted items in their home, working or non-working, are invited to visit the Red Stick Free Use YahooGroup to donate them to others who may need those exact items. Not only will you rid your home of unneeded clutter, but you will help foster a community spirit of giving while reducing landfill waste. You may even make a friend or two in the process!
You can find the Red Stick Free Use YahooGroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RedStickFreeUse/ .
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