Household Goods Blog

News, updates, and all our stories of success and support.

Gratitude Gala a Success

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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BC Moves 2017 (7)

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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Copper Penny Jen

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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Mark Sigman

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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Elm Park Donations 9-2020

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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HHG Annual Report 2017

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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Alice Wiggin

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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Ira and Barbara Smith, at Household Goods in Acton, Mass. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

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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Gentle Giant

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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Edna Story

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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Double your donation-2

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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Brandeis Habitat 11-3-18

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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TFSG EVENT

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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Rosetta Stone 10-17-18

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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Concord Drop Swap 10-13-18

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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Enterprise Bank Goods Drive 9-25-18

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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Marks Moving

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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HHG Annual Report 2017

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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#GT Heart

#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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WBUR at Household Goods 7-2017

‘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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Household Goods Golf 2017 (6)

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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Thoreau club drive

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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catholic heart camp

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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Concord Piecemakers

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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CC Community Chest Recipients

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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cropped Barbara Smith Myra Kraft Award

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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Annual Report Cover 2016

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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Grace Chapel Lexington

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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Women of Dartmouth

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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Volunteering at Household Goods

Volunteers make Household Goods run ...
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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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Barrett Drive full van

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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gallons for household goods

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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Digi-Holiday-Photo-Web 12-6-16

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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Buxton School 11-2016

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

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

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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Feather-Duster

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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Franklin and Mary 2-1-2016 landscape

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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Nashoba Learning

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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Valentine's Day

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

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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Susan

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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Marie

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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Allan

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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Learn about our founders

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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Discovery Museums CEO Neil Gordon with Household Goods President, Mimi Rutledge

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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Ira and Barb Smith

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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