When I was a teenager, my parents and I took a trip to New Orleans, LA. While out shopping, sightseeing, etc. one day, we went past a homeless man sleeping on a bench, a shopping cart with his possessions nearby. That image made a huge impact on me, and though I live on a tight budget myself now as an adult, I'm very blessed! So I'm always looking for ways to contribute to the homeless or less fortunate in my area.
I was requesting free samples one day when it hit me that I could use this to benefit not only myself, but others. Even though my son is a preschooler, I saw free sample offers for diapers, wipes, men's deodorant, etc. on the site I was requesting samples from. I figured that I might as well go ahead and request those too.
Now I've started a "stockpile" of freebies to give to my local daytime homeless shelter, as well as a home that takes in women and children leaving domestic abuse situations. It only takes a few extra minutes to request those samples that I wouldn't use myself, but I figure that they'll be put to very good use after I donate them.
I'd encourage others to do the same. If you like to request freebies, get those you might not normally use, and donate them to the shelters and such in your own area. I think this quote sums it up nicely:
"Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways, it can change someone else's life forever." - Margaret Cho
By Lisa from Kenosha, WI
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A drug store near my house gives out lots of samples: lotions, moisturizers, shampoo and conditioners, foundations, even perfumes. I save these items and use them as package ties or greeting card inserts.
You can make nice gifts from bargains if you put your own stamp on them - I just found a bunch of Aveeno samples (which I know appeal to my friend), and put them into a nice travel kit which I got on sale at a beauty supply store for 2 for $2 -(I took out the accompanying store literature). . .
Displaying Sample Sizes. I am always collecting samples of shampoo, conditioner and so on. I found a nice shell-shaped "dish" for them so I can put them out in the bathroom and actually use them.
