No More Bah Humbug
At the holidays, they always say it is better to give than receive. Luckily, one nonprofit organization has found a way to match up companies
who have a lot to give with nonprofit organizations greatly needing to receive resources due to tight budgets.
NAEIR, the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources in Galesburg, I'll., helps supplement tight budgets for nonprofit
organizations via a unique membership program. NAEIR collects donations of new, overstock inventory from U.S. businesses and redistributes those
goods to members. NAEIR has collected and redistributed more than $1.6 billion worth of donated goods over the past 25 years and members receive
an average of $18,000 worth of new supplies each year.
We receive many letters and calls from members all year long thanking us for the products, said Gary C. Smith, president and chief executive
officer of NAEIR. Hearing their stories makes my job so satisfying knowing that our organization can bring happiness to so many children and
families -- especially at the holidays.
Throughout the year NAEIR distributes a variety of products to its members ranging from office and craft supplies to maintenance items and
computers. During the holidays, however, the most popular member requests are for party supplies, clothes and toys.
Our cafeteria uses paper plates and napkins from NAEIR for holiday dinners, said Kathy Smith, director of business services, at Queen Creek,
Ariz., Unified School District. We received enough troll dolls from NAEIR to give one to every student who went through the cafeteria line one
day.
Hospitals especially count on NAEIR at the holidays to spread cheer during difficult times. The University of Chicago Department of Pediatrics
uses NAEIR products as part of a program for pregnant teens.
At Christmastime, the girls are given a bag and allowed to shop for items for themselves and family members, explained Arlene Timosciek, project
assistant at the University of Chicago. The items they shopped for came from NAEIR of course!
In addition, toys such as teddy bears are always a coveted item for hospitals. Children are always frightened when they come in, and a soft
friend to hug is always greatly appreciated, Timosciek said. Anything to make an ill child smile!
Social service agencies, such as the North Arkansas Human Services System (NAHSS), which treats more than 7,500 mentally and/or physically ill
people in a rural, poverty-stricken region in Arkansas, has utilized the products they receive from NAEIR to fill Christmas gift bags for their
clients. In some instances, this is the best -- and sometimes only -- gift these individuals get at Christmas, said NAHSSs Carol Gifford.
Pleasant Grove Christian Academy, a Christian church, school and daycare in Fountain Inn, S.C., relies on NAEIR to supply them with the needed
items to host an annual Christmas party for needy children in the area. Last year we were able to send bags and bags of Christmas gifts home with
each child, said Brenda Land, financial secretary at Pleasant Grove. It was awesome to bring some joy home with those children!
For nonprofit organizations interested in more information on NAEIR or to find out how to become a member, call (800) 562-0955, or visit
www.naeir.org.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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Courtesy of ARA Content
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