Self-Storage in the Holiday Spirit: Charity Wrap-Up for 11/15/2011

Self-storage operators in the United States and United Kingdom are getting into the holiday spirit by kicking off various charity drives.

Atlanta-based Storage Post Self Storage has joined efforts with New York Cares to bring coats to 100,000 New Yorkers in need for New York Cares' 23rd Annual Coat Drive. Each of Storage Post's New York storage facilities will be official drop-off locations for coat donations through Dec. 31.

Customers and members of the community are encouraged to donate gently-used, freshly-laundered coats in good condition. Storage Post has 12 New York locations, including the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester and the Bronx.

New York Cares champions a number of social issues including tutoring programs, park revitalization and feeding the hungry. Through its holiday programs last year, the organization collected more than 58,000 coats.

San Diego Self Storage (SDSS) is one of many self-storage operators acting as a drop-off for the

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Annual Holiday Toy Drive. The company will collect new and unwrapped toys at each of its 16 locations throughout the greater San Diego region. The event will kick off at a special ceremony Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. aboard the USS Midway. Festivities include raffles, prizes and refreshments. SDSS will accept donations at its booth.

During the toy drive, all SDSS facilities will also hold raffles for a $100 credit toward a tenants storage rental (new or existing tenant). To enter the raffle individuals need to sign up when dropping off a new, unwrapped toy. The collection ends at 6 p.m. on Dec. 19, and the drawings will be held at each location on Dec. 20.

U-Stor-It self-storage facilities in York and Dallastown, Pa., are sponsoring an annual Harvest Food Drive through Nov. 17. The self-storage operator is accepting non-perishable food items, grocery gift cards and free turkey certificates for Bell Socialization Services to support the agencies special holiday dinners.

Chicago-based LifeStorage is also holding a food drive at its Mokena location for the Frankfort Township Food Pantry through Dec. 15. The charitable organization assists families in need in Frankfort, Mokena and parts of Tinley Park and Orland Park. LifeStorage Mokena is accepting non-perishable food items, household essentials, personal hygiene items, baby products, grocery gift cards and cash.

On Demand Storage (PODS) moving and storage company and 1-800-Mini-Storage are co-sponsoring the annual Coats for the Cold charity in Oakland County, Mich. The companies are providing drop boxes and PODS to collect the donated coats. The drive, which runs through Nov. 30, was founded by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. Last year, the charity collected more than 3,000 coats.

The U.K.s Access Self Storage is collecting toy donations for children for the Telegraphs Snowball appeal. The facility is accepting new and unused games and toys to help sick and disabled children in Coventry and Warwickshire. The company has set up drop-off locations at all of its 56 stores.