Jude AgbayaniEvery now and then, my husband and I would clean up and purge the rooms in the house. I thank God for pairing the two of us because he is Mr. Clean and Mr. Organizer while I am not! So after a day of de-cluttering and organizing, we have bags and boxes of things to throw and donate.
Two months ago, my eye caught a new shop that has opened in our area. The sign “Habitat for Humanity ReStore” got me so fired up because I assumed that they have refurbished, second-hand items on sale. I am a very frugal person, so I support shops like this. Since we have been searching for a new shelving for my makeshift kitchen and a new bed for our daughter, we stopped by one Sunday after church.
We were welcomed to this enormous warehouse of furnishings like sofas, beds and dining sets. My assumption was spot on, they do have items that were used but “restored” decently. There were also used small kitchen appliances, computer monitors, a refrigerator that are in working condition.
My husband and I were both curious about the store’s concept so we ended up chatting with the manager, Michael Pascual. ReStore is a non-profit home furnishing store where people can buy new and used items for the home and office. All the proceeds go to the funding for Habitat for Humanity, which is also a non-profit international organization that helps build homes and communities all over the world.
The items that they sell were all donated by private individuals and business owners. (While we were talking, I was already thinking of what to give them after de-cluttering our home.) Though they accept used items, they make sure these are in good working condition. They clean them and put them on display to prepare for the store’s grand opening this month.
Aside from furnishings they also have building materials for sale. You can check out new tiles, light fixtures, steel doors and bathroom sinks, toilets and used power tools too! Decorative items are also on display and when we visited the store the second time, we saw rows of baskets which are yet to be priced… I will definitely be coming back for those!
Michael mentioned too that ReStore in Las Pinas is the flagship store in Asia! That made me more proud of my city 🙂 They plan to set up shop in other parts of the country in the future that’s why they need our support to share ReStore and its goal to help build decent homes for our fellow Filipinos.
Isn’t this just the coolest idea? You get rid of things you don’t need at home and donate them to a worthy cause. So, why not start the year by supporting Habitat for Humanity ReStore? We may not be able to physically help construct houses for the partner families of Habitat for Humanity but we can assist them by funding their construction needs. You can help in four ways:
First, SHOP at ReStore! You can find new and slightly used furnishings and building materials for your home and office. ReStore is located along Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Pinas City. It is between DBP Village and Shell Gas Station. Store hours are from Wednesdays to Fridays 11AM to 8PM, Weekends and Holidays 10AM to 8PM. Remember whatever purchases you make goes directly to the funding of Habitat for Humanity.
Second, start de-cluttering if you haven’t already, and check out the items you can DONATE to ReStore:
- Indoor and outdoor furnishings
- Home decor and accessories
- Appliances
- Antiques and Collectibles
- Doors, windows, floor and wall tiles
- Cabinets and countertops
- Tools, building supplies, painting supplies
- Lighting and electrical fixtures
- Sporting goods
*Just a reminder to donate items that are in good, working condition. Also, they do not accept donations of clothing. Please contact them at 807-1169, 856-9342, 0927-5720887 or 0908-7273377. to schedule your items for pick up.
Third, you can also VOLUNTEER at the store by helping process the donated items, sorting and stacking them or even in manning the store.
Lastly, SHARE ReStore to your friends and family. The more people know about how to help our fellow Filipinos, the more families will have a safe and decent roof above their heads.
As a ReStore supporter, I urge you to gather your friends, neighbors, church mates, office mates, co-parents and even relatives to start cleaning or de-cluttering your homes or offices and set up a donation drive for ReStore. They need all the help they can get from generous people like you.
If you need help setting up a donation drive, feel free to send me an email at [email protected] or contact ReStore directly at [email protected] To know more about Habitat for Humanity ReStore, do check out ReStore.habitat.org.ph. They are also on Facebook and on Twitter .
*Although, we didn’t get a bed for Jianne. I found my kitchen shelving, yay! It’s made from metal, within the budget and would fit well in my kitchen. So we brought it home and started cleaning up again haha!
Happy shopping and donating Moms!
