Household Goods Blog
News, updates, and all our stories of success and support.

Join Diane and Herb Chellis in Monthly Giving
Diane Chellis supports Household Goods in many ways, from volunteering regularly as a room assistant during the client shift to ...
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Household Goods Welcomes New Board Members
At the March Annual Meeting the Household Goods Board recognized retiring Board Members Jim Thompson, Cathy Waters, and Philip VanderWilden ...
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Two Men and a Truck are our Newest Hero Movers
A HUGE thank you to our newest hero mover, Two Men and a Truck, a national full service moving company ...
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Kitchen Outfitters – 11 Years of Kitchenware Drives
Kitchen Outfitters’ 11th annual donation drive in February was a huge success, generating over 150 boxes of much needed kitchen ...
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An Inspiring Evening of Stories and Support with Voices on the Green
Voices on the Green, Lexington’s premier live storytelling and music event at First Parish in Lexington, raised $1,000 for Household ...
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February Student Community Service Week Was a Big Success
Our February Student Community Service Week volunteer program exceeded all our expectations. Extra special thanks to the students who joined ...
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Why We Can’t Take it All
We are often asked why we can’t take items that “someone could use” but that don’t meet our donation guidelines ...
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Making Sure Your Donations will Help Someone in Need
So you’ve discovered that you have extra stuff in your home and imagine that someone in need might be able ...
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Gratitude Gala a Success
A true "Gratitude" celebration it was! Gratitude for all who supported, attended, and helped make our 30th such a special ...
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Household Goods Needs Volunteers to Collect Household Items During the Boston College Move-Out
Every year for the past 11 years Household Goods has worked with Boston College to pick up numerous household items ...
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Spring Break with Copper Penny Flowers
On March 27, 30 people gathered to take part in a virtual flower-arranging class presented by Copper Penny Flowers, a Concord-based ...
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As Seen on Chronicle…
"In Acton, you will find Household Goods. What was once a small operation from Barbara and Ira Smith's carport, has ...
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Volunteers Needed Now – Current Job Board
Current Job BoardWe have many volunteer jobs to fill right now!Drive our Trucks Many days and times available. Drive our trucks to ...
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Remembering Mark Sigman
We are sad to share news of the death of Marcel “Mark” Sigman, one of Household Goods' very first full-time, ...
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Kitchen Outfitters Hosts Drive for Urgently Needed Items
Kitchen Outfitters wants to help you show your community “Lots a Love” this month. They are collecting functional, good quality, ...
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ClutterClarity Way Workshop Participants Learn a New Way to Declutter
62 people joined us on October 6 for a highly informative workshop on decluttering and came away with useful advice ...
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The Answer is Clear: Trivia Night Was a Winner
78 people joined us for our 30-30-30 Trivia Night on September 26. 13 teams competed in the virtual game, answering ...
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Residents from Concord’s Elm Park neighborhood recently came together to fill a truck with furniture and household items to donate to ...
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Pivoting during the Pandemic
Household Goods helps those in need create a home. In the time of the pandemic, we have pivoted to an ...
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Household Goods Town Hall
During our first interactive Zoom Town Hall, Household Goods Executive Director, Sharon Martens, and President of the Board of Directors, ...
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A New Truck in Town
Household Goods is thrilled to be driving a new box truck thanks to a Jean Wood Preston Grant from First ...
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It Happens Here: The Acton Charity That Helps Turn Houses Into Homes
It happened here! WBZ-CBS Boston reporter Kate Merrill was at Household Goods to tape a segment for her feature It ...
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Your Extra Is Someone’s Only – A Month of Clutter Challenges from the Clutter Queen and Household Goods
The average U.S. household has 300,000 items, from pencils to ironing boards. Do we need all of the stuff we ...
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2018 Annual Report Now Available
Hot off the presses - our annual report. Has yours arrived in the mail yet? Copies are available at Household ...
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Who Needs Household Goods?
We debuted our new Who Needs Household Goods video at our April Open House. DigiNovations, a video production company and our ...
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Story of Support: Alice Wiggin
From Veterans who have served overseas to young mothers setting up a home, clients are delighted to be able to ...
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Barb and Ira on WBUR
Lisa Mullins and Lynn Jolicoeur from WBUR 90.9 FM recently came in to interview our beloved founders Barbara and Ira ...
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Thanks to the Haartz – Curtains Up for Comfort
Many thanks to Denise and Eric Haartz and Haartz Corp. for providing an energy efficient, comfort creating air curtain for ...
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Welcoming Community Teamwork
We have a standing invitation to workers from our referring agencies to come in for a tour and updates on ...
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We’re Clean Floored with Gratitude
Thank you to David Souza and Inova Professional Cleaning Services, Inc. for your generous gift of professionally cleaning our entire ...
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Thank you, Gentle Giant
A giant-sized "thank you" to Gentle Giant Moving Company of Acton for sending Nick, Rolan, John, and Jay to Household ...
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Much Needed Mattress Donation
Mark's Moving & Storage, Inc. Mattress Magic to the rescue! Our mattress room was empty, but client needs were high ...
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You Did It!
Thank you to the many supporters who took advantage of our recent matching gift challenge to make a donation to ...
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Kitchen Starter Kits You Can Make at Home
Kitchen Starter Sets You Can Make at HomeWhile our clients enjoy choosing items to fill their kitchen drawers, they also appreciate ...
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Matching Gift Opportunity
Double your impact! All annual appeal donations made to Household Goods from now until Giving Tuesday (November 27th) will be ...
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CPR Training – Good to be Prepared
CPR Training at Household Goods. Thank you to the Stow Community Chest and the Acton Boxborough United Way for funding ...
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Much-Needed Mattress Delivery
Thank you Clean Out Your House, Inc and Buy & Consign for delivering the truck load of mattresses today. With ...
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Thank you, Brandeis Habitat for Humanity
On Saturday, we had an energetic group of students from the Brandeis Habitat for Humanity helping out on this rainy ...
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Only Treats for Volunteers
Our very creative Volunteer Committee put these sweet Halloween treat bags. No tricks here, just treats for our frightfully good volunteers. Thank you! ...
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A Taste for Something Good – A Fall Gathering at Verrill Farm
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported A Taste for Something Good - Oktoberfest and German Wine Tasting at ...
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Thank You, Rosetta Stone’s Concord Office
A big Thank You to Rosetta Stone's Concord office for sending two groups of volunteers to help at Household Goods. The ...
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Filling the Truck at the Concord Drop and Swap
A special thank you to the donors and volunteers who braved cool, rainy conditions at today's Drop and Swap in Concord ...
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Goods Drive + Ice Cream Social
Thank you, Enterprise Bank! Employees of Enterprise Bank collected boxes of usable household items and donated proceeds from an ice cream ...
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Thank You to Corning Incorporated Foundation
Thank you to Corning employee Greg Hoff for successfully nominating Household Goods for a $1,000 Corning Incorporated Foundation Employee Vibrant ...
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Thank you to Mark’s Moving
Thank you to Mark's Moving - Helping People Move and Partnering to Help People Make a Home. Mark's Moving and Storage ...
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Thank You for Your Vote
Thanks to the many subscribers who voted for Household Goods to receive a grant for ad space in the Boston ...
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Thank You in Words and Pictures
We love when clients share their "after" photos with us. Following her recent visit to Household Goods, Christina sent us several pictures along with ...
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Thanks to all who made the 3rd Home in One Golf tournament a success
On Monday, July 16, Household Goods hosted its third annual Home in One golf tournament. The event drew 67 returning and ...
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Bountiful Goods from Boston College
At the end of May, as Boston College prepared for graduation, Household Goods volunteers spent 10 days on campus, collecting ...
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2017 Annual Report Now Available
Hot off the presses - our annual report. Has yours arrived in the mail yet? Copies are available at Household ...
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Boston Globe GRANT Program 2018
Did an envelope from the Boston Globe arrive in your mailbox this week? Or an email in your inbox? If you ...
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… And a Little Chocolate
"All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. SchulzWe love all ...
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Realtor Open House and Tour
Realtors are always looking for ways to help clients manage their accumulated possessions as they prepare to sell their homes ...
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Finally, a Home
Sharon never imagined she and her son could become homeless. An army veteran, she had it all - a successful career, ...
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#GivingTuesday 2017
As 2017 comes to a close, we would like to draw attention to Tuesday, November 28.Called #GivingTuesday, this global giving ...
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See the Rooms your Donations Can Create
Our friends at Acton Woods Plaza were kind enough to offer us temporary use of the vacant former Cambridgewear retail space to ...
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‘I Finally Did It’: Homeless For Years, Lenny Gets A Home
WBUR followed a homeless Boston man who was recently housed through city efforts, including his stop at Household Goods. See here for Lenny ...
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Helping a Hurricane Survivor Make a Home
By Pat SimonI met Elizabeth when she came to Household Goods after her house in St. Croix had been destroyed ...
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Local Artists Share their Artful Goods for Household Goods
What a fabulous evening! Over 100 people came to our ARToberFEST for Household Goods on Saturday, October 21 to enjoy ...
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Acton-based Household Goods building dedicated to founders Barbara and Ira Smith
Household Goods dedicated 530 Main Street to Barbara and Ira Smith on September 27. Read the article in Wicked Local ...
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Home in One 2017 a Success
What a day! Perfect weather, perfect conditions, and a fun time for all who took part in Household Goods' 2nd ...
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Thank you, Thoreau Club
Household Goods sends many thanks to The Thoreau Club for hosting a hugely successful month-long drive in June for blankets ...
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Thank you, Catholic Heart Work Camp
10 participants from Catholic Heart Work Camp spent a week at Household Goods behind the scenes restocking, unloading, and also ...
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Thank you, Concord Piecemakers
Many, many thanks to the members of Concord Piecemakers for the big donation of gorgeous hand crafted quilts. The time ...
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2017 Concord-Carlisle Community Chest Grant Recipient
The Concord Carlisle Community Chest recently held its Day of Giving 2017. On this day, the Community Chest granted $550,000 ...
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Household Goods Co-Founder Barb Smith Wins Myra Kraft Community MVP Award
Household Goods Co-Founder Barbara Smith was honored on June 8, 2017 with the New England Patriots’ Myra Kraft Community MVP Award ...
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2016 Annual Report Now Available
Hot off the presses - our annual report. Has yours arrived in the mail yet? Copies are available at Household ...
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Boston College Move Out 2017
Every May, as Boston College prepares for graduation, Household Goods prepares to spend 10 days on campus, where we will ...
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Thank you, Grace Chapel Lexington
We had a terrific and energetic group from Grace Chapel in Lexington here today. They moved furniture, cleaned, vacuumed, reorganized ...
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Thank You, Women of Dartmouth
Board member Michelle Davis sponsored a Women of Dartmouth event on Saturday, May 6, during which Michelle and two of ...
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Welcome to… Sharon’s House
It's not often that we have the opportunity to visit a client's home after they've unpacked and settled in with ...
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Good Food, Good Tunes, Good Times
Thanks for Making Donor/ Volunteer Appreciation Day a Sweeping SuccessSaturday April 29 was a double-header at 530 Main St. and ...
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Everything to Furnish an Apartment
How did it all begin? Co-founder Barbara Smith explains ...
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Every Client Leaves with Some Treasure
In the words of one of our long-time volunteers, "In general, every client leaves with some treasure to make their ...
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Declutter, Reorganize, Downsize
Decluttering? Downsizing? Reorganizing? You can give new life to your well-loved, gently used furniture and other household items ...
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TFG SpinRaiser Raises over $3,500 for Household Goods
The April 8 SpinRaiser, sponsored by The Fitness Group (TFG) at Quail Ridge in Acton, was an at-capacity success, and ...
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Thank you, Barrett Sotheby’s
Amy Barrett (pictured) and Kim Comeau of Barrett Sotheby's International Realty wrapped up a hugely successful week long drive for ...
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Boston Globe GRANT Program is Back
Did an envelope from the Boston Globe arrive in your mailbox this week? Or an email in your inbox? If you ...
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Story of Success – David
David is a veteran who, for years, spent more birthdays and holidays in the hospital than out, facing a variety ...
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Household Goods, Inc. Welcomes Sally Savelle as New Board Member
Acton, MA, February 16, 2017 — Household Goods, Inc., a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization that provides a full range of donated ...
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Renovations Update: Inventory Management
With the changes in our space and additional, more efficient storage for furniture and goods, comes an opportunity to enhance ...
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New Volunteer Entrance and Buzzer System
The new volunteer parking and entrance is opening in January 2017.Volunteers can park in the first parking lot on the ...
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Stories of Support – Karen Naka
If you've spent any time in the new Showroom, chances are you've noticed the new signs that hang above the ...
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Thank you, Denise and Eric Haartz
Denise and Eric Haartz presented Household Goods with a check for $20,000 today for our building expansion.Barbara and Ira and ...
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Stories of Support – Gallons for Goods
Household Goods was recently pleased to partner with locally-owned Bursaw Gas and Oil, Acton, to raise money toward Household Goods ...
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Thank you, Lincoln Girl Scout Troop 5
The Lincoln, MA 5th Grade Girl Scout Troop 85241 sold raffle tickets for 2 large gingerbread houses to raise money ...
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$1,000 Raised during #GivingTuesday Fundraiser
As part of #GivingTuesday, Facebook and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation joined forces to offer small nonprofits the opportunity ...
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Volunteer Cookie Swap – How Sweet It Is
Volunteers appreciated the 5th annual cookie swap today at Household Goods. Cookies always increase productivity, and our volunteers had many ...
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Story of Success: Veterans Inc.
Nothing tells our story like these before and after photos taken by a veteran of his home after a visit ...
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Thank you, Diginovations
DigiNovations came to Household Goods to present us with a $500 check and to renew its commitment to the mission ...
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Thank you, Buxton School
We are grateful to the Buxton School (Williamstown, MA) community for donating much needed sheets, blankets and comforters to help ...
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A Taste for Something Good Raises Over $10,000
Over 100 people attended A Taste for Something Good on Saturday, October 1, 2016, in support of Household Goods. The ...
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Household Goods, Inc. Welcomes Michelle Davis as New Board Member
PRESS RELEASEActon, MA, October 2, 2016 — Household Goods, Inc., a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization that provides a full range of ...
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Wet Paint!
Volunteers from Synopsys Tackle Major Painting Project for Household GoodsThere is a fresh new coat of paint in the hallways, ...
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A Taste for Something Good: Oktoberfest
Please join us on Saturday, October 1, from 7pm-10pm for our annual Taste for Something Good: Oktoberfest. It's an evening ...
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Household Goods’ First Ever Home in One Golf Tournament Raises Over $50,000
On Monday, July 11, Household Goods hosted its first-ever Home in One Golf Tournament. The charity event drew 92 golfers ...
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Household Goods a Top 20 Boston Globe GRANTS Non-Profit
The results of the 2016 Boston Globe GRANTS program are in, and Household Goods is clearly a subscriber favorite, coming ...
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Story of Success: Pearl
Pearl owned her own home and worked in hospice care managing a wide range of responsibilities when the unexpected happened: ...
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Story of Success: Chuck
Chuck was raised in a loving middle-class family, excelling academically and athletically in school. On his first day at college, ...
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More Space, More Goods, Better Flow
Starting July 1, Household Goods is expanding!Voyagers, which has been leasing 6,000 square feet of 530 Main Street, will be ...
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Thank you, Concord-Carlisle Community Chest
The Concord Carlisle Community Chest recently held its Day of Giving 2016. On this day, the Community Chest granted $550,000 ...
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Home in One – Our First-Annual Golf Tournament
We're pleased to announce Household Goods' first-ever golf tournament, to be held on Monday, July 11, at the Concord Country ...
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What Happens at Household Goods
Middlesex Savings Bank recently spent some time at Household Goods, where they captured the full scope of what goes on ...
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TFG Hosts a SpinRaiser to Benefit Household Goods
Mark Your Calendar! On April 9, The Fitness Group (TFG) hosts a Special SpinRaiser to benefit Household Goods.Expert TFG spin ...
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Spring Cleaning
Spring has sprung and will soon burst forth in all its glory. Now is the time when many people make it ...
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Story of Success: Franklin
Franklin came to Household Goods after having been referred by Lazarus House Ministries. While looking at the furniture and thinking ...
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Volunteer Spotlight: Nashoba Learning Group
Have you noticed the hangers in the front room, neatly taped in sets, ready for our clients to take home ...
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Donations from Cape Cod
Linda and John Stackhouse have been our good friends and neighbors on Ministerial Drive for thirty-five years! In January of ...
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Sweets for the Sweet
We would like to thank Faye and Kathy for the wonderful valentine treats they made for the volunteers. The chocolate ...
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A Different Kind of Love Story
Recently, Household Goods received a warm, soft handmade quilt that arrived with an explanatory note. The note reminded us that ...
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Story of Success: Charlene
Charlene Ferreira is a beautiful 26-year old woman with a physical disability; she uses a wheelchair for all of her ...
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Story of Success: Susan
Susan is an energetic mother of four adult children who recently lost her apartment in Fitchburg after she discovered it ...
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Story of Success: Marie
Marie has experienced both the receiving and giving sides of Household Goods. In January 2010, in her home country of ...
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Story of Support: Boston College
Boston College and Household Goods are entering the fifth year of what has been an extraordinarily successful partnership. Since 2011 ...
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Story of Support: Larry DeRoche
Larry DeRoche is president of Clean Out Your House Inc., based in Waltham. His company, which has served Greater Boston ...
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Story of Support: Larry Eckler
Larry first learned of Household Goods about fifteen years ago, when he read a newspaper article about the organization. The ...
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Story of Success: Allan
Allan is a Veteran of the Gulf War. During his time in Iraq, Allan experienced many of the traumas that ...
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Story of Support: Janice Battle
Janice Battle is a local interior designer and owner of Beyond the Garden. Her husband, John, is an architect at ...
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Story of Support: An Unusually Meaningful Non-Profit
This year, I had the good fortune to marry for the first time - at age 60+. As you can ...
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Why Donate Your Couch? Your Tables and Chairs? Your Kitchen Items?
Furniture donations are especially critical for low income families who are forced to make difficult choices between buying food, furniture, prescription ...
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The Art of Lifting
Our story begins with a last minute question from Bruce Frankel as he was wrapping up his manuscript for his ...
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Barb and Ira Talk to WBZ | CBS Boston
In case you missed it... WBZ | CBS Boston had a lovely story about Household Goods, Barb and Ira, and ...
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The Household Goods Story
What is Household Goods? Volunteers, staff and clients tell the story ...
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Barb and Ira Tell Their Story
A short video about Barb and Ira Smith, founders of Household Goods. And two of the hardest-working people you will ...
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Household Goods Honored as Rosie’s Place Partner
Household Goods is delighted to be honored as a Rosie's Place Partner, recognizing our support in making it possible for ...
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Household Goods Has a New Look
The founders, board, staff and volunteers of Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts'(HGRM) are pleased to present our simplified name and ...
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Household Goods Flips the Switch to Solar
Massachusetts is one of the leaders in US Solar energy adoption, currently ranking 6th among all states in total installed ...
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Pots and Pans Drive
A big thank you to the Discovery Museums.We were in dire need of pots and pans, as you can see ...
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A Day in the Life
Ira and Barb Smith, doing what they do best - helping people make a home. Ira and Barb Smith, doing ...
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The Red Toolbox
Darkness approached. With difficulty we crammed a sofa into Mauro and Margarete’s station wagon. I handed Mauro his heavy red ...
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