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NAPO-LA,
CBS 2 and KCAL Honor Deserving Mom with
Organized Garage
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Is it possible
to organize, in one day, a two
car garage filled from floor to
ceiling and wall to wall with
30-years worth of memories?
Yes, the impossible can happen if
the National Association of
Professional Organizers, Los
Angeles Chapter (NAPO-LA) is
in-charge. Through volunteer
efforts and snap planning, this
contest was pulled-off with just
two days notice.
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KCBS 2 and
KCAL 9 Los Angeles recently
conducted a Mother's Day
Make-over Contest with five
different segments to air the
week of May 7. The "Organized
Garage" winner, Tabby of Orange
County, was selected out of 1,000
entrees because of the volunteer
work her family provides to our
American troops in
Iraq.
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One-third of
the family's garage is used to
store donations that friends and
church members assemble once a
month to distribute over seas.
Boxes and containers were stacked
six feet high and the room
enjoyed no real "workhorse"
shelving.
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When Chris
McKenry, NAPO-LA
President, was contacted on April
27th and asked to make this huge
task happen with only two days
notice he knew there were three
calls to make. First, members of
NAPO-LA
were quickly asked to donate
their services.
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Then, the
Container
Store
was contacted for shelving and
organizing supplies. The store
contributed over $1,200 of
product. 1-800-GOT-JUNK
stepped up, too, and provided
labor and three trucks for trash,
recycles and charitable
donations.
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Within three
hours, eight members of NAPO-LA
completely emptied the garage. A
sorting area was set up in the
yard, along with assembly area
for shelving. Tabby and other
family members were coached in
the sensitive decision-making
process.
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Quickly, the
drive way was filled with items
deemed unneeded by the family. By
the end of the day, ten hours
later, the garage was completely
organized to the family's
satisfaction. Throughout the day,
two cameras captured the work,
sweat, and sense of fulfillment
family members were experiencing.
McKenry stated in the interview,
"Holding on the past will bury
the present. Keeping items
because of 'maybe someday' can
make it impossible to find what
we need today."
Zones were created for all the
family activities. An area for
tool storage was created with
Inter-Metro shelving to be used
by Tony, the lucky winner's
husband.
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Alisha,
Taffy's daughter, who entered the
contest, now has her catering
supplies next to the new pantry
and food storage area. Golf bags
were hung on a rack on a column
and holiday times were stored
together.
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Most
important, all supplies for
Operation
InterDependence
are
now assessable on new shelving
and air-tight canisters provided
by The Container Store.
"We're very thankful for
everyone's participation on short
notice-- two days. We are
especially pleased that we could
empower this extraordinary Orange
County family and the work they
contribute to the
community." McKenry adds:
"Organization increases
productivity, and this family
will most certainly benefit from
this time and space makeover."
Throughout the day, the lucky
winners got tips and tricks on
maintaining the new systems -
crucial to keeping the clutter at
bay. The biggest tip says
McKenry? "Once a month, walk
though the garage and make more
decisions and let go of items no
longed wanted."
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Thanks to
NAPO-LA volunteers Hallie
Colpepper, Lori Gersh, Rosalind
Lakomy, Chris McKenry, Justine
Miceli, Tiffany Schwartz, Joanna
Sletton, and John Trosko for
making this project possible. The
segment will air May 10th on CBS
2 News at 5 p.m and the following
day on sister station
KCAL-9.
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Participants:
The
Container
Store
1-800-GOT-
JUNK
CBS
2 Los Angeles
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May
is National Moving Month
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Hectic
does not begin to describe the day of any
move. If you are moving yourself, follow
these simple tips so time will not be
wasted searching for aspirin.
Clearly
label boxes with both contents and the
appointed room. Remember, "stuff" does not
clearly describe an item. Keep a set of
sheets and towels in designated drawer for
quick retrieval.
Empty
and clean out refrigerator the day before
the move. Keep valuable items with you,
like jewelry, money, collections, etc.
Have check list prepared and walk through
the house after everything is loaded on
the truck.
Ask
your mover about insurance. Do not assume
all contents are covered for full value
unless additional insurance is
purchased.
When
you arrive at the new home, start
unpacking. Do not try to place items in
their final destination. Flatten all
packing paper before discarding. Small
items can be wrapped in what may seem to
be just a wad of paper.
Moving
companies will unpack boxes, but not
organized contents in your home. Let Get
It Together LA! manage your next move and
we will attend to every detail.
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Speaking
Engagements
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LAJCC/JLLA
Leadership Day
May 13, 2006
Where: The Center at Cathedral Plaza
555 West Temple Street
What: The Junior League of Los Angeles
& Los Angeles Junior Chamber of
Commerce Volunteer Training Seminar
Workshop Presentation: Organizing
Principles for Balancing Home and
Career
Are
you overwhelmed by clutter in your home,
or even a "cluttered" schedule? The Wall
Street Journal states that the average
executive wastes an hour a day looking for
misplaced items. Chris McKenry,
professional organizer, will participate
in the faculty for the annual Leadership
Training for the LAJCC/JLLA. The process
of living an organized life will be
demystified and simple organizing
principles will be address so attendees
can organize their home or office. Time
management will also be
addressed.
For
more information on this program, contact
Cheryle
Babbitt.
Ann
Gambrell's
Home
Organizing
Workshop
June 3, 2006
Chris McKenry, guest speaker
Are
you constantly running late? Do you have
difficulty finding important information?
The process of living an organized life
will be demystified in this fun and
interactive presentation.
Chris
McKenry, professional organizer &
speaker, will share organizing principles
that will help regain control of our busy
schedule. The clutter causing distress
will be easier to recognize and release
for those attending this presentation.
Afterwards, you will be able to develop
simple systems that can be applied to
organizing every area of your home and
life.
For
registration infomation on the workshop,
click
here.
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Professional
Affiliations
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Chris
McKenry:
President, National Association of
Professional Organizers, Los Angeles
Chapter
Founding President, Business Network
International, West Hollywood Chapter
Board Member, West Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce
Recipient
of:
2005 Leading Edge Award, NAPO-LA
2003 President's Award, West Hollywood
Chamber of Commerce
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The
“NEW” Spring Cleaning
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By
Ann Gambrell
Creative Time-Plus
Today’s
spring-cleaning is not the same today as
in our mother and grandmothers’ day.
Then the house was literally turned inside
out and the schedule included, heavy
cleaning, new wallpaper, paint, rugs,
slipcovers, etc. At any rate, when the
weather gets warmer we still think about
household improvements. And...cleaning is
on the agenda.
Here
are a few tips to help you spring into
action:
- Open
the windows to air out each rooms.
While you're there, quickly clean the
window and ledges on the inside. You
can plan a later day to tackle the
outsides. Or hire a window cleaning
service.
- Try
using a light sprinkling of water on
the bristles of a broom to "catch" more
dust and dirt when sweeping. This works
especially well on porches, decks and
garage floors. Or try the new
disposable pads on a stick method of
dusting and wet cleaning.
- A
telescoping duster is great for cobwebs
in those high spots.
- Check
out the cleaning supplies at your
supermarket for great shower, tile and
grout cleaning sprays & solutions.
Also visit a local janitorial supply
store for substantial and reasonably
priced supplies.
- A
swipe of a baby wipe or a spray of
window cleaner is great to freshen up
sinks & fixtures. Remember to
change the sink sponge daily, yes
daily. They are a breeding ground for
bacteria! Wash sponges in the clothes
washer or slip them into the
dishwasher.
- Keep
cleaning supplies under each sink in a
handy plastic caddie for easy access
and quick daily clean- ups. Take care
to prevent small children from getting
into these areas.
- Mini-blinds
can be a hassle to clean. A feather
duster with a light spray of a dusting
spray will do well. Or hire a window
blinds cleaning service.
That
should get you started with the
“new” spring- cleaning. Now,
reward your hard work with some fun in the
sun! After all it IS Spring!
For
information on Ann Gambrell's Home
Organizing Workshop, click
here.
Donation
Directory
Out
of the
Closet
800-558-8220
benefits AIDS Healthcare Foundation
National
Council of Jewish
Women
800-400-6259
benefits women's services organization
Goodwill
Industries
323-223-1211
benefits people with disabilities or
vocational disadvantages
Salvation
Army
800-728-7825
benefits adult rehabilitation
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Get
It Together LA! provides a
professional assessment of your storage
needs when designing your custom garage
system. With a place for everything and
everything in its place your neighbors
will ask you to leave the garage doors
open.
Get
It Together LA! packs and schedules all
related needs of the move. Storge design
assessment is available to assure the
working areas will be most productive.
Then we unpack and organize your
home.