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So, name me a teacher who doesn't like classroom materials for free? Creative teachers can convert almost anything into a "classroom material" too. Well, for all those teachers, FREECYCLE is for you! It is a global phenomenon of getting an item one person doesn't need off of the curb and into the hands of another person (or charity or school or...) who does need it! Here is the link for all of the Ontario freecycle groups and a few details on how it works:
-- You can sign up for more than one freecycle group.
-- My personal suggestion is to try out the one closest to your own community rather than signing up for a giant one like the Toronto group...start small and work your way up (unless you live in Toronto, of course). Some of these lists have hundreds of messages a day.
-- Most lists have a group page that you can visit to see what is posted and also an email loop that people post their offers and needs to. Visiting the group page is useful if you will only need an item once in a while or if you will only have an occasional item to offer. The email loop is great if you like to keep an eye on what is being offered out there and to feel more "connected".
-- If you dislike hundreds of emails a day, sign up for the DIGEST format which usually comes as one daily email with all of that day's offer and need requests in it. The one downside to a digest is that those getting the emails individually may end up grabbing items before you even see them.
-- When you first join a freecycle group, it is a courtesy (i.e. strongly suggested requirement!) that you post an OFFER first, anything you may not need. It's the whole idea of reciprocation!
-- DO NOT use the freecycle lists for anything besides offer and need requests. If you wish to advertise your school's fundraiser or anything like that, email your freecycle moderator first.
A lot of pointers but, really, the lists are well worth being part of. I have personally met great people on the loop, have connected to some charities who have collected my stuff, have cleared a lot out of my house, and have received lots for free (including a working washing machine). Ask and you shall receive, maybe!
Angela
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