Minnesotans have truly earned a stretch of warm weather and blue skies this year and with any luck that time is getting close. With the promise of summer comes the great switchover. No more flannel sheets, parkas, and mittens; bring on the shorts and flip flops.

For the organized among us this is a simple swap involving a few rotations in the closet.
For those of us with kids, new lifestyles, or changes in body sze it can be complicated.
And sadly, for too many Minnesotans, especially those with kids it can be a time of panic because there are no neat tubs full of the next season's clothes and no extra cash for new clothes.

Luckily there are solutions that benefit all of us. Donating seasonal clothes and furnishings to local non-profit clothes closets can simplify the lives of those of us with too much stuff and improve the lives of those who struggle.Let's start with the most organized folks. Before retiring your winter wardrobe double check if there is anything you never wore. Take the never worn out now and put them in a bag labeled for donation in the Fall. Now go treat yourself to a cool drink and a run around the lake!For those with kids sort the winter stuff before storage (You'll be so happy when school starts that you did this, believe me.). Make piles like the woman in the picture:

Store things that still fit, are in good condition, or will fit a sibling
Outgrown outfits and things your kids hated to wear (It's TOO itchy!) go in handled paper bags for delivery to your local non-profit clothes shelf after school starts
Clothes that are worn-out, stained, or not in good enough shape to pass along to your sister-in-law can be given to organizations that pick-up donations and sell then like Goodwill, Savers, and the Epilepsy Foundation.

Once you've tucked away the winter stuff, stretch, breathe and open those totes where you stashed everything at the end of last summer. There will be some treasures and some memories!

Do the hard part first and have one child at a time try on the clothes to see what, if anything fits. All the things that fit go through the washing machine and magically into closets and drawers.
Outgrown outfits and things your kids hated to wear (It's TOO ugly!) go in handled paper bags for delivery to your local non-profit clothes shelf as soon as you have a chance
Clothes that are worn-out, stained, or not in good enough shape to pass along to your sister-in-law can be given to organizations that pick-up donations and sell then like Goodwill, Savers, and the Epilepsy Foundation.

Now go treat yourself to a cool drink and a run around the lake with your kids!If you are retiring or retired since last summer, you may not need all those professional clothes or uniforms you wore every day. Programs like Dress for Success and Ready for Success accept donations that will help them serve folks who are joining the workforce and need to look the part.Are you still holding on to stuff you wil never wear again? Have you had a tubal but still keep a tote full of maternity clothes? Is it unlikely that you will ever be a size 6 again? Do you really need that prom dress, tricycle, or 47 water bottles? Check the lists on Share your Stuff to see who can use your extras. If you can't find a place to donate to, send me a note and I will try to find someone who can use it!Have a great summer!

A Chance to help Joseph's Coat