Thursday, January 6, 2011

“Jeans for Life” Finds New Homes for those Old Pair of Denims…

Sometimes the simplest ways to give to those people in need are the most effective because they help to meet specific needs.  Take for example your old pair of denim jeans sitting in your closet; everyone has jeans and most of us have a few pair that needs a new home.  By simply donating a pair of jeans you can reach people around the world.
The “Jeans for Life” program, which is a collection drive inspired by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and Out of the Closet Thrift Stores, seeks old pair of jeans – whether they’re blue, red, faded or acid-washed!  According to AHF, it is “a fun, easy way for everyone to donate toward the care of people living with HIV/AIDS.”
The WE Movement agrees!
With the federal, state and local governments cutting back on spending for their safety-net programs – including many programs specifically designed to help people living with HIV/AIDS – many AIDS Service Organizations need to find alternative revenue sources to help them fulfill their mission.  By donating your denim to the Jeans for Life program, you’re indirectly helping people living with HIV/AIDS gain access to vital supports and services.
Jeans for Life is collecting their denim donations in their “jeans-inspired” bins and will completely administer the care of them.  They collect the jeans…upkeep the bins…and remove them at your request. In other words, you can start a jean collection drive with doing very little work – but it is something that can produce a big pay-off in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Businesses hosting one of the bins clearly play an important part in making their collection drive successful, maybe that’s why they’re willing to advertise your business address on their website and customers will be excited to know that you care about people living with HIV/AIDS.  The proceeds from donated jeans go to support various HIV/AIDS-related programs administered by AHF.
Drop off locations are already available in both California and Florida with support from HBO, Eleven, Motherlode, Corporate Pointe, Sunset Media Tower, Northridge Business Center and America’s Funniest Home Videos.  Donations are also being accepted by individuals wishing to mail their old jeans.
So why let those old jeans collect dust…or worse, why throw them away in the trash when they could be put to better use.  Just because they’re old or torn, doesn’t mean someone else couldn’t wear them – and in the process, help fund prevention, treatment and care for people with HIV/AIDS.
Go to http://www.jeansforlife.org/ to learn more.
We have joined, will you?  Learn more at http://www.wemovement.org/.