When Decluttering, 1 + 1 = 3… And That Means Synergy!

clear lightbulb horizontal on a tabletop slightly lit up — Sure, we all know that 1 + 1 = 2, but wouldn’t it be great to live in a world where 1 + 1 = 3? Of course, we would all benefit from getting more from our efforts! Yet achieving 1 + 1 = 3 can be found within the concept known as “synergy.” Ahead, we’ll show you a great way to understand synergy and how it works in our daily lives. First, though, why not take a few brief moments and schedule your donation pickup before you forget. *Just CLICK HERE to get started and get your first hint of what 1 + 1 = 3 means, then be sure to pop back over to this blog for a math lesson you’ll love!*

Like we said, to make 1 + 1 = 3, you just need to add a little synergy. Synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

You can look at synergy as a cooperative interaction, a joint effort, or the energy that is the result of “give and take.” For example, think of your favorite sports team or music group. Both reach a synergy when the individual elements work together towards a common goal. They are able to achieve the amazing result of 1 + 1 = 3.

group of diverse people's hands fist bumping a great plan together

Synergy is the result of two or more people or organizations working together to accomplish a goal greater than their singular parts. Think about this for a moment: synergy cannot be reached alone. 1 + 0 will always = 1. Ready to put synergy onto action? We are here to help! The first “1” we need is you! Now let’s add the next “1,” a worthy community based organization like the Vietnam Veterans of America, or VVA for short.

Two military veterans in uniform sitting smiling in ceremony

The VVA has benefited from the concept of synergy for decades through donations from thousands of Americans. Synergizing the efforts of people like you has helped veterans establish homes, receive supportive services, and maintain the American dream. Want to know more about the VVA and all the amazing things they do? Click here.

Now let’s try out some synergizing skills. It’s as easy as taking a look around your home; now that we have all survived the holiday season, what better time to start decluttering than the approaching 2018 new year? Out with the old and in with the new, right? When it comes to decluttering, you get a synergizing bonus! You + VVA = a clean home, thousands of families receiving much needed services, and that amazing feeling we get from being a part of a winning team! That’s right, we’ll show you how to declutter using our “keep one, donate one” method that’s been helping the VVA help veteran families for years!

Keep One/Donate One Method:

Most likely as you look around your home you’ll notice the things of which you have more than enough. Items like bedding that you haven’t used for months; towels that matched your old place decor but are no longer on trend; kitchenware that you seem to always be replacing (like pots and pans). It’s time to take a look around your closets, kitchens, and garages to separate the old from the new. Decluttering and donating your old items will not only keep your home organized and functional, it will do the same for VVA families.

stack of donation boxes on a front porch with labels

First step: Prepare boxes or heavy duty bags and label them “VVA,” so the donation truck drivers will know what to pick up on the day you scheduled for your donation — you can write on the box or bag or tape on a label, it just needs to be noticeably visible.

Next step: Take on areas of your home that you know have unnecessary duplicates. Kitchens, closets, and your kids’ areas are great places to start. Here, we’ll make it easy for you by listing items that you most likely have both old and new versions of, which would be wonderful to donate to the VVA…

Kitchen: Dish towels, pots and pans, dishes, utensils, cookbooks.
Closets: Coats, scarves, pants, dresses, shirts, shoes, belts, accessories.
Child’s Room: Outgrown clothes and shoes, toys, sports equipment, books.
Living Room: Wall hangings, table lamps, video games, small furniture (that can be carried by one person).

a look inside a garage with stacks of old junk

Last Step: Keep the new, donate the old. For example, if you received a new sweater as a gift, donate an old one! If your kiddo received a new toy, donate an old toy to the VVA. You may have new dishes or pot and pans, if so, declutter your kitchen by donating the old. Put your old items in the VVA labeled boxes and bags. Now it’s time to synergize your efforts and it couldn’t be easier! It’s also 100% free. That’s right, synergizing is free by scheduling your donation pickup through Pickup Please. It doesn’t matter if you donate one bag or ten, your donation pickup is always free.

So kick off your 2018 with our synergistic new math of 1+1=3. You, the VVA, and veterans in your community all get an A+ when you schedule your free donation today! Your decluttered, organized home thanks you, the VVA thanks you, and the families you support thank you!

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