NAPO-AZ

The Arizona Organizing Experts

10 Reasons to Hire a Professional Organizer

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Guest post by Aisi, Ask Aisi, LLC

  1. Commitment! Professional Organizers are self starters who are dedicated to their clients. Like any business, their success depends on their work with people who have all kinds of organizing challenges. It is likely they have seen your situation before and have solutions at-hand. They are in business to reduce your stress and give help to reach your goals.  
  2. No Judgment! A Professional Organizer does not judge you or your mess. In fact, they embrace it and get excited about it. They care about your challenges to get and stay organized.  
  3. They are BORN to organize! Professional organizers just love to organize, it’s in their DNA. They straighten, position, and organize without even thinking about it. Everywhere they go, they leave behind a neater place. Put that innate energy and talent to work for you and your goals. 
  4. Our Code of Ethics. NAPO Organizers (National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals) follow a code of ethics. Our first code is, “I will serve my clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity, and will treat them with respect and courtesy.” It is something each NAPO Organizer embraces.  
  5. Listening Skills! A Professional Organizer practices listening to their clients so it’s understood what’s really going on and how to get to the root of the organizing problem.  
  6. Knowledge. A good Professional Organizer is always learning; researching about organizing tools and products, new systems, and about the how’s and why’s behind organizing habits. This knowledge, combined with commitment and compassion, is what a professional organizer brings to each client.  
  7. Skills. Organizers don’t just organize – they teach clients the know-how of organizing and do their best to transfer good organizing skills to others. They download new skills in addressing habits and incorporating systems that will help you continue to be organized and see things from a new perspective.  
  8. Compassion! Professional Organizers see the distress and strain that disorganization can cause an individual or a family. They work for or alongside their clients throughout the getting-organized process. They understand how things happen and have tools and resources that will alleviate the emotional toll that disorganization causes.  
  9. Vision! Deciding where to get started can be overwhelming. A Professional Organizer knows where to start. They guide clients every step of the way, taking it one pile or mess at a time. They will look at your situation with new eyes, seeing it from a different view point. They will bring understanding and creative solutions to your organizing challenges. 
  10. Encouragement! A Professional Organizer will not only help get you organized; they will encourage you in your journey to be a more organized person. They provide needed support as you learn new ways of doing things. They work with you, guiding you, and figuratively hold your hand through the mess to a new, organized life.  

Need help getting organized? Visit the NAPO-AZ Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant Search Tool to search for professional organizers or productivity consultants in your area.

Donate Your Pet Related Items

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Where can animal lovers donate items that will benefit animals in need? Many shelters accept donations of pet food and supplies that go directly to the care of the animals. Some also run thrift shops that accept donations of all sorts, with the proceeds benefitting the shelter.

Do you have a pile of towels to donate?

Why not give them to a shelter?
Listed below are just a few of the many shelters in our state.

Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL) is Arizona’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter located at 25 N. 40th St., Phoenix, 85034. They have a wish list on their website which is updated frequently. Generally, they are in need of food, towels, collars, litter boxes and clay litter, scoops, and general supplies for the shelter such as trash bags, batteries, and office supplies. Main phone is 602-273-6852.

Arizona Humane Society accepts donations of pet food and pet items for their shelters as well as general items for their three thrift shops in Mesa, Cave Creek, and Sunnyslope. Free pick up of your car, boat, or thrift shop donations is available. For more info, visit their website or schedule a pick up at 602-997-7585 X 2035.

HALO (Helping Animals Live On) Animal Rescue is a no-kill animal shelter in Phoenix at 3227 E. Bell Rd., 85032, accepting donations for their shelter including food, litter, beds, and more. They also accept vehicle donations and have a thrift shop boutique in Cave Creek with women clothing and home furnishings. For donation and adoption locations, visit their website or call 602-971-9222.

Lost Our Home Pet Rescue is the only organization in the Valley focused on both pets and people in crisis. In addition to rescuing pets abandoned or at risk of homelessness they provide pet care when people find themselves in challenging life situations.  Visit their website to view updated Wish Lists for their cats, kittens, puppies, dogs and general shelter needs.

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) accepts in-kind donations which go directly to the care of the animals in their shelters. Take donations such as towels, blankets, beds, food, litter, toys, and more to any location, found on their website.

Pet Food Pantries supply senior citizens, veterans, and families in need with pet food and supplies to help keep pets and their families together. They are best contacted through their websites as many are operated out of homes. Pet food may also be donated to food pantries for people as many distribute pet food to families. Four of the pet food pantries are listed below:

• Arizona Pet Pantry  serves Southern Arizona and supplies pet food for seniors 62 and older.
• Cause 4 Paws Pet Food Pantry  provides pet food for seniors and veterans in Maricopa County. They can accept unopened, new, and not expired food.
• Chuck Waggin Pet Food Pantry  has five drop off locations in Phoenix and Tempe and do accept open bags and food expired within a year.
• Phoenix Pet Food Pantry helps financially struggling owners. They accept food and all pet supplies with locations in Central and North Phoenix.

Nonprofit Thrift Shops for Your Donations

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Non-profit thrift shops welcome donations to help their organizations raise funds for services and to provide employment for their workers, which often includes people with special needs.  While there seems to be a Goodwill at every intersection, some would rather donate to other thrift shops that might specialize in certain types of goods or benefit a specific nonprofit.

Listed below (in alpha order!) are a few options with their basic information.  Some thrift shops carry only the finest goods while others (such as Goodwill or Deseret Industries) will take almost anything as their processing centers allow them to sell items by the pound or recycle them.  Taking a walk through their stores or websites can help identify which drop-off site is best for your items.

Deseret Industries Thrift Shop has locations in Mesa, Glendale, and Tucson that provide jobs for many in need, and they are generous in what they accept. www.deseretindustries.org

Flo’s on 7th is located in the Melrose District of Phoenix and benefits Florence Crittenton’s services for young women in Arizona. They appreciate and have special sections for donations from designers.  www.floson7th.com.  602-254-7861.

Goodwill is on the nearest corner, and is one of the few stores who accepts mattresses and children’s car seats along with everything else. They do not balk at items that may need to go straight to recycling (or the trash).  www.goodwillaz.org.

St. Vincent de Paul has seven locations in the Valley and ten more in greater Arizona. One of the best when pick-up’s are needed – no long wait. Calling 602-266-4673 for a pick up is quicker than registering on the website for a pick up. www.stvincentdepaul.net

White Dove Thrift Shoppe benefits Hospice of the Valley and has four locations in the Valley.  They take medical equipment and nicer items but no children’s toys, strollers, car seats, or mattresses.  www.whitedovethrift.org. Pick up only of furniture or large items. 602-274-3683.

 

Special thanks to NAPO-AZ member Debbi Bertolet of Organized Inside and Out for contributing these resources.