If you are like me, you not only support the missions of Cedar Hills, but you have your own missions that you support. Some of my favorites involve reusing items we may normally throw away. For years I have been sending used greeting cards to a center in Waverly, National Geographic and Reader’s Digest to a mission in Ohio, and cancelled stamps to Alliance Stamp Ministry who sells them and uses the funds to send medical aid/items to Haiti. Recently, I heard about another use for an item we usually throw away – socks! Yes, those socks that may have gotten too stretched out, have a hole in them, or are missing one to the pair. They can be recycled!

The US is on track to generate 35 billion pounds of textile waste by 2019. Textiles are one of the fastest growing waste products in the world and also one of the most recyclable waste products (most can be remade into another item). Recycling a pair of socks can save up to 17 gallons of water and 66 BTU’s of energy!

The socks are graded and items in the best condition are sterilized, washed and sent to individuals in need. The items in poor condition are broken down for fibers, sold as insulation and other useful products, and all revenue is donated to non-profits. This is exciting! Send your socks to Nice Laundry Recycling, c/o Faithbox, 550 Industrial Road, Unit C, Carlstadt, NJ 07072, or bring them to me, plus any of the other items listed above, and I will send them with mine. “Let us not grow weary in doing good” (Galatians 6:9).

~ Chris Harwood
Missions Team Leader