SEATTLE, WA, Apr 21 (MARKET WIRE) --
With spring here and Earth Day ahead, it's time to take a new look at
secondhand and go green while earning green for local non-profits. Village des
Valeurs, an international for-profit thrift chain, also known as Value Village
and Savers, will hold a nationwide Earth Day donation drive April 22-25, 2008
in an effort to remind people to responsibly recycle their spring cleaning
clutter. Donations benefit local non-profits, and during this special drive
donors will receive a coupon for 20 percent off a future purchase -- helping
to encourage the full cycle of green-friendly shopping habits by consuming
reused goods.
All Village des Valeurs stores accept donations of gently used clothing
andhousehold items during regular store hours year-round. The donations support
non-profit organizations which Village des Valeurs aligns with in each of
the communities it serves. The non-profits are paid for all items received at
the store, so the more donations brought in, the more funds the charities
receive to support their crucial programs and services.
"Since 1954, Village des Valeurs has operated under a unique business
modelin which both people and planet win; in our more than 50 years of
operation,
we have paid out more than $1 billion to our non-profit alliances," said Ken
Alterman, President and CEO of Savers and Village des Valeurs stores, which
are attributed with helping establish the thrift store model. "With greener
lifestyles top of mind, we have seen a shift in more people visiting our
stores in an effort to embrace environmentally friendly consumption habits.
Thrift stores
are a natural place to donate goods you no longer need and purchase reusable
items -- thereby completing a full circle of benefits to people and planet by
reusing and recycling responsibly."
Village des Valeurs sorts all donations it receives at the store, and
value-prices the highest quality items suitable for resale. The remaining
merchandise is responsibly recycled as mixed rags and other reusable materials
through third-party vendors. A portion of the merchandise is also shipped to
developing nations where it benefits people in need. The Village des Valeurs
recycling program prevents more than 280 million pounds of unwanted goods
from entering landfills each year.
Village des Valeurs receives a large volume of reusable goods, stocking
5,000 new
items daily on each retail floor in its 200-plus store network. This creates an
endless selection of affordable, quality secondhand items for shoppers.
"Shopping at Village des Valeurs is not only a charitable and
environmentally
friendly way to recycle, but a great way to stretch those fashion dollars,"
said Steph Watts, Village des Valeurs lifestyle expert. "Whether looking for
fun,
everyday style or one-of-a-kind pieces, secondhand stores provide a full range
of
style options for just a few dollars each. Shoppers can find fashion-forward
head-to-toe outfits for under $20, and it's not uncommon to find merchandise
with original tags still attached."
Village des Valeurs suggests the following tips to find the best
secondhand
buys:
-- Hit the accessories -- fill your closet with fun brooches, bracelets,
scarves, handbags and more for just a few dollars each!
-- Go vintage -- check labels and fabric for ever-popular authentic
throwbacks, which sell for much less at thrift stores versus vintage
boutiques.
-- Keep an open mind -- creatively make pieces your own with a new
hemline, fabric dye, or some added embellishments. A little wrinkled?
Imagine it washed and pressed hanging in your own closet.
-- Know the sales days -- many thrift stores offer discounts on certain
tagged items weekly, while 50 percent-off sales are not uncommon. Sign up
for store E-newsletters to keep up with sales.
For those wishing to visit and donate during the Earth Day drive,
Tues.,April 22 - Fri., April 25, Village des Valeurs accepts donations during
itsregular store hours. One coupon will be provided per household for a
minimum donation of one full bag or box of clothing or household goods.
The20 percent-off coupons can be applied to a future purchase, and must be used
by May 11, 2008.
Village des Valeurs accepts reusable items including clothing, shoes,
accessories, furniture, electronics, books, toys, house wears and bedding. While
guidelines vary from store to store, in general the stores cannot accept
construction materials, flammable products, large appliances, automobile parts,
food,
mattresses, large console televisions, weapons and hazardous waste. Visit
www.villagedesvaleurs.com for store locations, hours, shopping tips and more
donation information.
About Savers/Village des Valeurs
Founded in 1954, Savers, Inc. is a privately held for-profit international
thrift store
chain with more than 200 locations in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Also known as Value Village in the western United States and Canadian provinces,
and as Village des Valeurs in Quebec, the company benefits more than 120
local non-profit organizations by purchasing and reselling donated items. The
result
has been more than one billion dollars directly paid to non-profit
organizations.
The company employs more than 10,000 people in 23 states, 10 Canadian
provinces and Australia. Visit www.villagedesvaleurs.com for more information.
Media Contact:
Regan O'Leary
Duo PR, for Savers, Inc.
206.706.0508
regan@duopr.com
Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.
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