LIFE is too short to wash your hair while staying in hotels.
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As trips away are almost always on weekends or overnight, I won’t waste time with the whole wash and wear hair routine.
There are things to eat, people to meet and … things to eat.
When it comes time to pack up though, I don’t mind grabbing a shampoo and conditioner for a cause other than myself. (Remember the products are included in your room rate.)
Pinchapoo has been giving people’s unwanted hotel toiletries to the homeless in Victoria for almost a decade now.
Founder Kate Austin created the cheeky hotel toiletry “pinching” movement more than eight years ago.
Using her concept, the network has redistributed more than 1 million personal hygiene products to thousands of disadvantaged men, women and children around Australia.
Shampoo, conditioner and soap are still in high demand today while shower caps and sewing kits are not needed in the least so feel free to leave the latter right where you found them.
Another Australian charity Share The Dignity gives exactly that to the homeless, at-risk and those experiencing domestic violence through the distribution of sanitary items.
Each November Share The Dignity collects pre-loved handbags filled with personal care products to distribute as Christmas gifts through shelters and charities. Partner charities give them to homeless, at-risk and women experiencing domestic violence around the country.
About 85,000 girls and women turned to homelessness services in Australia during the past year.
A big supporter of Share The Dignity, my mother-in-law got my daughters on board this month to help her fill a dozen pre-loved handbags with personal care products.
They went around the dining room table stuffing the leather bags with products until everything was gone.
My six-year-old was intent on matching shampoo to conditioner bottles for each “lady”; she was a tad flummoxed when she ran out of “tissues” for the last bag.
“Not a problem, we’ll just buy some more,” her nanny consoled.
When asked to write a personal note to go with each of the bags, she was quite happy to do that too.
“OMG, it’s Christmas!” she wrote on the card, “Enjoy your bag.”
We agreed that card would best suit the handbag meant for a teenager.
Even closer to home, Ainsley Stone’s One Can Can initiative urges people to add one can to their shopping trolley a week to give to Wodonga Uniting Care emergency relief.
This week nine public schools in Wodonga are collecting cans towards the cause.
It’s another timely reminder ahead of Christmas of how a few people banding together can make all the difference.
Bunnings is accepting Share The Dignity donations during opening hours between November 18 and December 2.
If you miss this window you can post your bags to: Share the Dignity, PO Box 345, Sandgate, QLD, 4017.
For more information visit www.sharethedignity.com.au.
For ‘poo donations, send to: PO BOX 5050, Laburnum Post Office, Blackburn VIC 3130.
For more information visit www.pinchapoo.org.au.
For more details on One Can Can visit www.facebook.com/onecancan