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New to swapping? Check out the details below!<\/p>\n
It’s an age-old problem: kids outgrow their things, and parents don’t know\u00a0what to do with the outgrown gear.\u00a0What do you do?<\/p>\n
Let’s consider the options. You could…<\/p>\n
- \n
- Consign<\/li>\n
- Yard Sale<\/li>\n
- Virtual Yard Sale Site or Craigslist<\/li>\n
- Donate to Goodwill\/Salvation Army<\/li>\n
- Fill your basement with totes of old clothes<\/li>\n
- Take them to\u00a0FREE toy and clothes\u00a0swap!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The last option is my favorite. I’m just not in a stage where I have time to try to resell our things, and I keep a lot (especially now that we’re foster parents). But when I am ready to part with something, I put it in my box of swap things. I have found SO many great things at the free swaps that it seems only right to pass the things we’re not using on to others who will put them to good use!<\/p>\n
![\"Why](\"http:\/\/nateandrachael.com\/terrehaute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/09\/Free-toy-and-clothing-swaps-658x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe best part in my mind is that everything is free<\/strong>. And you don’t have to have an equal number of items that you donate or take home. The idea is that you bring what you can and take what you need<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Here’s what the organizers have to say:<\/p>\n
What exactly is a toy and clothing swap?<\/strong><\/p>\n
We all have so many things are kids are constantly outgrowing or deciding they no longer want.\u00a0 What better way to work as a community of mothers than to give<\/strong> these items to someone who can use them?\u00a0 When others do the same thing in exchange, it becomes a swap!<\/p>\n
What’s your role?<\/strong><\/p>\n
In 2010 my friend Chrissy Revell approached me with the idea for the Mom Swap. We had our first swap in the fall of 2010. Twelve people participated and everyone left happy.\u00a0 From there we began to have the Mom’s Time-out Toy and Clothing Exchange<\/i> twice a year (spring and fall).\u00a0 The numbers in attendance practically doubled at each subsequent event.<\/p>\n
![\"How](\"http:\/\/nateandrachael.com\/terrehaute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/09\/melindachrissy-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/p>\nI now have about 15 people who regularly help me, each with a defined job or role<\/strong>.\u00a0 At the last one we had about 50 volunteers who came to help during the drop off time and\/or clean up afterwards.\u00a0 We really couldn’t have a successful event without all the people who graciously give their time and effort!<\/p>\n
How many people usually attend?<\/strong><\/p>\n
We had 250 people at the last<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Mom Swap.\u00a0 If the growth continues as it has in the past we could reach 300 for this fall!\u00a0 I say, bring it on!\u00a0 We have adjusted and expanded as we’ve needed to and will continue to do so!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
![\"Everything](\"http:\/\/nateandrachael.com\/terrehaute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/07\/swap-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow does the swap work?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Moms gather all the baby or child related items they no longer need.\u00a0 This includes books, bedding, furniture, baby gear, clothing, games, DVDs, etc.\u00a0 They sort it by type o<\/span><\/span>r size and gender (separate labeled bags work best!).\u00a0 We ask that all items are <\/span><\/span>clean<\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span>gently used<\/span><\/span>. At the published drop-off time\u00a0 (generally 1-1:45), they bring the items.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Volunteers carry donations inside and organize them according to type (books, toys, etc) and size\/gender.\u00a0 With ticket and shopping bag in hand (everyone who drops off items gets a ticket to shop), they get in line and wait for the doo<\/span><\/span>rs to open (usually 2pm).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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