The holidays are a time of plenty, with gift giving and generosity enhancing the warmth of the season. For many, however, “plenty” can turn into “too much,” as existing clutter is exacerbated by holiday shopping and the influx of presents from friends and loved ones. To encourage a clutter-free 2018, Goodwill Manasota presents Clean and Clear New Year, a contest to assist those who may have felt overwhelmed by the events of the past year. Community members are invited to write, describing challenges they've experienced: perhaps they needed to downsize, got divorced, or suffered the loss of a loved one. The winner will receive a $50 gift card to Goodwill and a one-hour in-home consultation with local professional organizer Charlotte Stewart of Organizing Homes LLC, during which they will get tips on clearing clutter and strategies for organizing their home. Winner must live in the Sarasota/Manatee area. To participate, community members should submit a paragraph and photo to foundation@gimi.org or to the organization’s Facebook page (facebook.com/GoodwillManasota). Deadline for submissions is January 19, 2018.

Goodwill Manasota