No More “Bah Humbug!”

(ARA) – At the holidays, they always say it is better to give than receive. Luckily, one nonprofit organization has found a way to match up companies who have a lot to give with nonprofit organizations greatly needing to receive resources due to tight budgets.
NAEIR, the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources in Galesburg, Ill., helps supplement tight budgets for nonprofit organizations via a unique membership program. NAEIR collects donations of new, overstock inventory from U.S. businesses and redistributes those goods to members. NAEIR has collected and redistributed more than $1.6 billion worth of donated goods over the past 25 years and members receive an average of $18,000 worth of new supplies each year.
“We receive many letters and calls from members all year long thanking us for the products,” said Gary C. Smith, president and chief executive officer of NAEIR. “Hearing their stories makes my job so satisfying knowing that our organization can bring happiness to so many children and families — especially at the holidays.”
Throughout the year NAEIR distributes a variety of products to its members ranging from office and craft supplies to maintenance items and computers. During the holidays, however, the most popular member requests are for party supplies, clothes and toys.
“Our cafeteria uses paper plates and napkins from NAEIR for holiday dinners,” said Kathy Smith, director of business services, at Queen Creek, Ariz., Unified School District. “We received enough troll dolls from NAEIR to give one to every student who went through the cafeteria line one day.”
Hospitals especially count on NAEIR at the holidays to spread cheer during difficult times. The University of Chicago Department of Pediatrics uses NAEIR products as part of a program for pregnant teens.
“At Christmastime, the girls are given a bag and allowed to ‘shop’ for items for themselves and family members,” explained Arlene Timosciek, project assistant at the University of Chicago. “The items they ‘shopped’ for came from NAEIR of course!”
In addition, toys such as teddy bears are always a coveted item for hospitals. “Children are always frightened when they come in, and a soft friend to hug is always greatly appreciated,” Timosciek said. “Anything to make an ill child smile!”
Social service agencies, such as the North Arkansas Human Services System (NAHSS which treats more than 7,500 mentally and/or physically ill people in a rural, poverty-stricken region in Arkansas, has utilized the products they receive from NAEIR to fill Christmas gift bags for their clients. “In some instances, this is the best — and sometimes only — gift these individuals get at Christmas,” said NAHSS’s Carol Gifford.
Pleasant Grove Christian Academy, a Christian church, school and daycare in Fountain Inn, S.C., relies on NAEIR to supply them with the needed items to host an annual Christmas party for needy children in the area. “Last year we were able to send bags and bags of Christmas gifts home with each child,” said Brenda Land, financial secretary at Pleasant Grove. “It was awesome to bring some joy home with those children!”
For nonprofit organizations interested in more information on NAEIR or to find out how to become a member, call (800) 562-0955, or visit www.naeir.org.
Courtesy of ARA Content