We are rolling into our second year being all digital here at The Orange Effect Foundation. It was a tough transition. First for the team who had to learn the entire online system, and then for the families and therapists who also had to learn how to submit digital applications, including uploading documents and using electronic signatures, etc.
If you haven’t heard our backstory, it’s quite entertaining in hindsight. We run “lean” as they say. We try to save money wherever we can. We get as much donated as possible, even envelopes and stamps!
When we had families mail in applications, they were often spending unnecessary money on overnight postage to make an application deadline. Then our program manager would have literal mounds of paper to sort though. There were post-it notes everywhere! But, maybe even more entertaining than that was how we would drive the mounds of applications to each of the board members who needed to review them. So we were running lean but we definitely were not efficiently utilizing the time of our volunteer board members.
When someone asks me why we went digital, the answer is simple: we are trying to respect everyone’s time and make their job as easy as possible. Additionally though, we were trying to save a few trees by decreasing the amount of paper we were creating as an organization. Not to mention that online is a much more secure way for people to send their confidential information.
So in the theme of saving the environment, working more efficiently, and lowering our footprint, I asked our board members some of the things they do to make the world a better place and to be their most-productive selves. Here is what they said:
JP – I love taking notes and writing stuff down, but I never use new paper or a notebook to do this. I take paper that’s been printed on or can’t be used for some reason, turn it over, fold it in half, and use that as my note paper.
Doreen – I recycle absolutely everything I can. My mom taught me to recycle (and upcycle) before it was ever a “thing,” when she packed up and drove recyclables to the only collection center in a tri-county area, long before curbside service existed! I enjoy spreading that sentiment to others, and especially getting kids involved, because early learning could develop life-long, positive habits. I was always the volunteer Environmental Programs Chair at my kids’ schools. I established partnerships with paper retriever companies, developed daily programs and special activities around environmental “holidays,” and taught them to be good stewards of our earth and environment. I’m happy to say all of those programs are still going strong and I believe I’ve helped launch many dedicated recyclers and upcyclers.
Jeff – We have a pretty impressive collection of plastic bags from the grocery store, and old envelopes. The grocery bags are used for a variety of things, including wrapping holiday ornaments, picking up after our dog on walks, and storing clothing to be donated or handed down.
We also love hand-me-downs. We received a ton of them for both of our kids, so we always look for the opportunity to give clothes to others. Nothing gets thrown out or sold. Always reused by someone who needs it.
Monica – For recycling/donating, I gave close to 200 pounds of medical supplies and equipment to MedWish. I highly recommend them! You can take the donations downtown or they will send a volunteer to your home. I gave about 35 pairs of eyeglasses to the Sight Center. I often give craft supplies to centers for people with disabilities and to library craft swaps. I take all kinds of stuff to church resale shops, sales, or swaps, clothes to charities that resell them – notably, National Council of Jewish Women collects nicer clothes for their Designer Dress Days sale each year. Books go to the CWRU book sale or libraries. I gave odd and antique items to the Cleveland Playhouse for props. I don’t trash old technology – Cuyahoga Solid Waste in Garfield Heights takes almost everything. Cleveland Furniture Bank will pick up donations of furniture, lamps, etc. I gave them at least 20 art posters. Blankets and towels to the Cleveland animal shelter, Rescue Village, and other animal agencies.
Tom – I have always had a weird enjoyment with deciding what is able to go in our recycling. A while back my wife found an article about “wish recyclers” and shared it with me. A “wish recycler” is one who tries to recycle things that are actually not recyclable, but you wish they were, so you put them into the bin. It turns out I had been a huge “wish recycler”. I am now very conscious about what goes in our recycling bin. I also like to go through my old clothes and donate things that I no longer wear or have room for in my drawer (especially my ever-growing t-shirt collection).
Melissa – I work hard at being both an upcycler and recycler! I have met with lots of school groups about Recycling Right here in Lakewood and yes I recycle everywhere I go! I bring my cans and bottles home if I do not see Recycling bins or staying in a place without recycling. We did kegs on our Family Thanksgiving get away so we would not have bottles or cans! I donate lots to buy-nothing groups and Habitat for Humanity.
Composting is so easy, I do it in my backyard all year; it is amazing how it can reduce your garbage!! ( I put holes in my old garbage cans and turn them when I feel like it!!!)
Dana – Around the Holidays, I’ve found I don’t even need to look for a way to recycle / upcycle! Our office is orchestrating a food drive, another organization I’m involved with is doing a coat drive, and I’ve most recently been to a networking event that asked attendees to bring coats, gloves, hats and any other winter clothing items. To me, the Holiday season is stressful. These little things are so easy – almost mindless as there are opportunities to donate everywhere – and it really makes me feel good to be giving back in ways that are feasible. Dropping off a few coats I don’t use, or cans of food really makes me stop and think – what the heck am I stressed out about!
Leave a Reply