BULLETIN TEMPLATE (May 02, 2017)

Today, Kathy Coen provided us with an update on the Open Door Exchange (ODE), the nonprofit agency for which she acts as Treasurer on a volunteer basis. She reminded us that the ODE was founded by Pastor Kate Jones Calone in 2015 as an outreach program of the Setauket Presbyterian Church; and the purpose of ODE is to collect and then redistribute good quality furniture to those in need, many of whom are transitioning out of homelessness, military service, or displacement following a disaster. Recognizing that furniture is an often over-looked essential for people seeking stability, and that many local families live in homes that lack the most basic furniture while other local families have an abundance of good pieces of furniture that are no longer needed or wanted and can be given away, the ODE has set up a service that allows for good environmental stewardship that provides hope to the former by promoting donations from the latter. After visiting 2 other similar agencies in White Plains, NY and in Silver Spring, Maryland, the ODE steering committee, all volunteers, were inspired to create their own version of a collection-donation resource by acquiring space- originally, a donated storage area at a storage rental facility- and later a warehouse at 200 Wilson Street in Port Jeff Station. Since its founding, the ODE has acquired a used Penske box truck to aid in their ability to pick up donated items. They look especially for donations of dressers, bed frames, small kitchen tables and chairs, lamps, and basic living room furniture of good quality. They then offer for free the items they collected to recipients, many of whom are referred by other LI nonprofits, so that basic living spaces can be converted into comfortable homes. Individuals and families referred to ODE can make an appointment to come to the warehouse and choose the furniture they need. ODE offers to those in need the dignity of selecting one's own furnishings. Recipients of furniture donations have to pick up the furniture at the warehouse themselves, but the organization just hired a driver, so they might eventually be able to pick up and deliver. If you have furniture to donate, you can arrange to drop it off yourself during warehouse hours, Mondays/Wednesdays 10 AM-noon, Fridays 1-3 PM, and 2 Saturdays per month, 9:30-11:30 AM. The warehouse is closed in August. Call 631-751-0176 to make donation arrangements. How else can you help ODE? There are many opportunities for volunteers of (nearly) all ages, including opportunities to go on a pick-up run. ODE will handle scheduling and provides a volunteer coordinator for the day. Volunteers are welcome to work in the warehouse, where furniture moves in and out quickly. Help is needed to receive donations, clean and organize furniture, and greet clients. Administrative assistance is also needed. Here, volunteers type info into a simple data base, write thank you letters, design promotional materials, and make phone calls. In addition, grant writers are welcome to volunteer their services. Teen volunteers can get community service credit. Unfortunately, ODE cannot accept used mattresses, TVs, appliances, very large desks, entertainment units or hutches, outdoor furniture, sleeper sofas, pianos, or cribs.