March Madness is about over (insert a tear) and when it is, I expect to be called out of my recliner to begin some spring cleaning. Yes, the dusting, window cleaning, rug shampooing, dog bathing and other polishing duties will be involved. However, I am going to talk about downsizing, lightening the load, getting rid of stuff.

Spending a lot of time inside, rather than outside, the past few months, I’ve had the time to discover a lot of things just collecting dust. The saying goes, “If you haven’t touched it in a year, it’s time to get rid of it.” Not the sentimental stuff, of course, just the stuff that’s, well, collecting dust and you no longer have use for. You know, those well-meaning birthday and Christmas gifts collected over the years, or those gadgets, trinkets, decorations you “just had to have” during your many trips to Walmart, Target, etc.

Some of the stuff I expect to clean out are my clothes — either they don’t fit anymore, are worn out or they show too many coffee stains (comes with the job!). Other things will go to the dump. But there are also things that I have no use for, haven’t touched in a year, or will never touch again.

So, if you are doing some spring cleaning like me, remember the organizations that could use your “good” stuff to sell for the purpose of helping others. Thrift shops, youth groups, the Rotary Club, and others, which use their profits to help the community. In the summer especially, area churches hold sales, it seems, every weekend. Contact your church or organization and ask if they can take your stuff now, or are willing to take it later (stuff it in a box and hold it for them).

Then come summer, you will have more space — for more stuff — and you will feel better that you have helped others.