The time is ripe for us to explore new ideas on how we can start the season of fresh beginnings with a “Spring” in our step!  Communities everywhere are in preparation for the new season: getting ready to clean out the old, to get organized, apply a fresh coat of paint perhaps, and tend to the garden, planting seeds.

Spring is also an opportunity to “plant a seed” of awareness and philanthropy.  For those of you with children it’s also a chance to turn the Spring Cleaning event into a character nurturing lesson.  

 Here are a few ideas: 

• Let Your Community Set an Example:  Gather with your neighbors to organize a community garage sale – be sure to involve kids too.  Pick projects from the Alternative Gifts catalog and then donate the proceeds to causes you’ve all agreed to support.

• Host a Gift Market at your Church or School:  Why not combine your Spring Cleaning garage sale with a Gift market?  Simply order a Gift Market Kit from AGI.  Gather your garage sale items.  Advertise the Gift Market “Garage” Sale through your church or school website, social network and blog sites, or with flyers.  Your gift market shoppers can choose the cause they will support, and walk away with their bargain buys feeling good about themselves!

• Have a “Spring Break” Home or Block Party:  Just order free catalogs or a Gift Market Kit from AGI.  The web has tons of global food recipes that are linked to countries featured in our catalog.  You can also find themed music to entertain your guests too!  Then invite your friends and neighbors over for an evening of good food, culture and philanthropy.

 In our world of over consumption Spring can make way for an opportunity to start an environmentally conscious trend with something that’s been hanging in our closet far too long.