This event that has a community service focus while also serving your residents. This even doesn't require residents to bring anything to the office, and doesn't cost anything for you either! The best part? It serves your local Goodwill or Salvation Army with much needed items. The basic idea is that you will provide large plastic garbage bags in the office for residents to get if needed, they fill them with gently used items from their closet and home (no furniture), they RSVP with their apartment number, and they set their bag(s) outside their door by a certain time on a Saturday morning. The community staff drives through the community going to each RSVP door and picking up their donated items. The team then delivers the bags to a local Goodwill or Salvation Army (or other charity organization) for the residents. This is a perfect event to do during a busy or expensive month as it is simple and can be free!

A great idea is to do this event in the Spring so you can organize it around the theme of "Spring Cleaning Your Apartment!" You will need 2 dates on the calendar: one for the RSVP date, and one for the actual event. Here is a basic timeline:

• 2 weeks before the event: Flyer the common areas of the community letting them know that RSVPs are REQUIRED, and giving the RSVP deadline. Also let residents know they can pick up garbage bags in the office, and that bags must be outside their doors by 8am the Saturday of the event. Let residents know that you will not be able to get them tax deduction receipts. This can just be a small *asterisk at the bottom of the flyer.
• 1 week before the event: Send a reminder email to all residents (if you have access) letting them know of the RSVP deadline and going over details again.
• The morning of the event: Drive to each RSVP door, pick up their bags, and deliver them!


If you have budget money to put towards the event, have you can drop off a small brown bag with a granola bar and a little Thank You note to each participating resident.