Planet Aid: Helping people see a better tomorrow

In 1997, an idea that seeded from environmental conscientiousness and human compassion gave birth to an organization whose mission is founded on preserving our planet, as well as sustaining and improving the quality of life of the people living on it. Planet Aid’s meager beginnings in a small, at first empty storage unit are symbolic of how heartfelt commitment to a cause can literally shape the future and change lives.

These days, Planet Aid isn’t just helping the locals in Boston, where it first planted its roots. The organization's endeavor now has a global reach, graciously answering the needs of the materially impoverished and resource lacking all around the world, while at the same time maintaining a clear and concise vision for doing what is ultimately sound for the planet that sustains our very lives.

Planet Aid's clothing recycling program has successfully benefited people and our planet, Earth, on many levels. It all starts with a conveniently placed, bright yellow colored donation bin. People who no longer want or need certain clothing and shoes from their wardrobe can simply drive by and drop them in the bin while they are out doing other errands. Representatives then pick up the items and so begins the process of distributing them for various uses. These uses include clothing those in need, funding programs that create sustainable solutions for communities, such as creating jobs, building, education, agriculture and other programs that create long term solutions to issues that are every day stressors for many people throughout the world.

In addition to the powerful impact Planet Aids clothing recycling program makes for people, it is also making invaluable strides toward protecting and preserving our environment. When resources are given a second life in the hands of a new owner, the extensive and often negative environmental impact of manufacturing is lessened. We can’t do away with manufacturing altogether, however we can encourage conscious giving and environmental awareness. This combined with making the act of donating easy, Planet Aid is able to assist in protecting our environment one day at a time, and assist those in need one person at a time.

What’s in it for Planet Aid? Well, the mission isn’t completely selfless. Planet Aid is made rich with satisfaction when we witness farmers using new techniques in agriculture to grow healthy crops with which supports their families and provides nutritious and delicious foods for those in their communities. Our hearts are filled with joy when we see children receiving an education and arriving for classes with satisfied bellies and with clean, weather appropriate clothing on their little bodies. We beam with pride when we watch the infrastructure of communities changing beneficially and for the long term with the leadership of those who have received training through the Capacity and Staff Training programs. We are elated when we watch women being empowered and creating businesses that creative sustainable and viable income to support themselves and their families, as well as positively adding to the economic infrastructure of society. The gift of knowing that tomorrow people will wake up with hope to begin their new day, on a planet that is being respected and cared about for all that it provides us-and at the end of the day, there is no greater reward than this.