Over the years I have collected a lot of different airline amenity kits. Like, a lot, a lot. Even after giving many away to friends and letting house guests use whatever they want, I have more than I need, all living in some tubs, in my closet. I have always felt that they could be living a better life — doing good in the world. Sure, the containers are cool and I love my collection, but what is the end game here? Show them off when friends and family come to visit (a minority few would care)? Keep them around to pass down to future generations (they probably wouldn’t appreciate how cool they are)? Nah, I think I can do better. For a while I have thought about donating them to a good cause, but I wasn’t sure how. Now, I think I do — and I am taking you along with me!
I recently moved out to lovely Kitsap County (west of Seattle — a ferry ride away) and my “real” job gives me the opportunity to connect with non-profits in my community. Recently, I visited the local food banks and I realized that they all had a section that gave out toiletries. Some were well stocked, but many were not. Bingo! I have the supply…they have the demand.
Then my mind kept going. I bet many of you fine folks also have amenity kits that you collect, and maybe you wonder if there is something more you could be doing with them. If so, then I would like to help you find them a good home. Keep reading to find out how.
Now, I am not asking you to give them all up (there are one or two favorites I am keeping myself). But if you have airline amenity kits, a big drawer of hotel toiletries, or whatever sitting around… send them my way and I will make sure they get to folks in need!
JUST FOLLOW THESE THREE EASY STEPS:
- Email me at da***@ai*************.com, tell me what you have, and I will send you a mailing address
- Mail me the stuff
- Celebrate good times (optional, but highly recommended)
When your stuff is received, it will be processed and hand delivered with a smile. Plus, I will mail you back some sweet AirlineReporter stickers as a thank you.
To start out, I am working with the South Kitsap Food Line. They are a good group of folks, doing great work in the community, and they are very excited about this idea. They do not have much in the way of toiletries right now and are hoping to not only give the items to their daily customers, but also to work with other local non-profits who help homeless youth, who often have a hard time finding products like these.
I honestly do not know what to expect with this experiment. I didn’t make any big promises, but obviously I will be a little sad if I am only delivering my stuff. If things are a bit slow, I might also reach out directly to some airlines and see if they might have some old kits to donate (if you have other ideas, please let me know). Of course if things go well and I get overwhelmed, that is totally okay (seriously, overwhelm me!). There are plenty of other organizations that would so very much appreciate the airline amenity kit love.
Thank you for your consideration and feel free to leave any ideas, ask any questions in the comments, or shoot me an email.
SOME QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
Q: Can I just drop them off to you in person?
A: Totes. If you live in the Seattle area, email me and I am happy to arrange a time for us to connect and I can get the stuff from you.
Q: How do you recommend that I send them?
A: No preference on my end, however USPS makes it pretty easy now: 1) Get some Priority Flat Rate boxes (no extra cost to have them mailed to you). 2) Create an address label. 3) Schedule a pick up from your home or work. You don’t even need to leave the house!
Q: Can’t I just donate my stuff to a local non-profit?
A: YES! And please do. For me, I wanted to do this for a long time, but didn’t know the “what, who, where, how” stuff and that was holding me back. Now that I figured it out, I want to make it easy for you to join me. But if this helps to motivate you to donate locally… sweet!
Q: Do they want the socks? Containers/bags? Eye masks? Chap stick? Shoe polish?
A: Yes… all the things! When I met with them to ask, they were super excited about the variety of things that come in the kits and they can give any and all to good people that need them!
Dude, this is your best idea yet. I’ll do some digging. Mail seems better because your house in about 3,000 miles away
Great idea, but I’m sure there are some who won’t want to pay the shipping cost to Seattle. As an alternative, consider donating them to a local women’s shelter. Women often turn up there with literally nothing except the clothes on their backs, so even a hotel comb or dental kit will get used. Men’s products are OK too because apparently some women come with their teenage children, so there’s a need for razors, deodorant, etc.
Hey Arcanum… for sure, I really hope that people donate local! I know before being more on the inside, it wasn’t so obvious who might take the amenity kit donations (not all do), but shelters, like you suggest, normally are always looking. And what is great about the kits, is most have really nice stuff. So, it isn’t just cheap stuff that a non-profit might need to purchase using funds (which of course is better than nothing), but some of the stuff in the kits can really make a person feel a bit more positive!
David
Awesome Chris! Although, I vote for you to use this as an excuse to come visit Seattle and hand deliver your goods 🙂
David
thanks a lot for sharing and I have some special things for you.
Great idea! Please remember food banks, etc have needs year round not just during these holidays.
Hi David, Your post has really touched my heart and mind. I have travelled so much for my job and have left behind unused air travel kits for many times. Had never even thought about that. You have completely changed my view point. Next time when i am having such kit will definitely keep and will give to someone who is in real need of that and may use it in better possible way. Aa, i am in India, i will implement your noble idea in to action. Regards. God bless you…
For the last 10 years or so, just before Christmas,I have donated about 20 kits to a local charity called Share Our Selves (SOS). I’m fortunate to be able to tuck a $20 in each one along with additional toiletries for women or men,adults or children.. The process of packing each kit takes about 2 hours then I drop them off to the same guy. It all happens anonymously and is one of the many joys of the holidays.
Hello David, this post is really awesome, and I appreciate your thoughts. I will definitely do this.