Day 83: Donate books

There are many organizations that will take the books off your shelves.

The Community Center is looking for donations of used books to put in its reading area and give out to local residents. Books should be suitable for children and families to enjoy and should be in average condition (no mildew, missing covers or missing pages). Hardcover and paperback are both fine. Books can be dropped off at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

Local libraries often accept used books. Contact yours for details. Some libraries only want very new books. Others will take almost anything and will even clean up dirty books. Some libraries sell donated books in order to raise funds for library services.

You also might check with local hospitals, women's or homeless shelters, children's reading or after-school programs and senior centers.

Day 63: Go to parade, catch veggies, donate them

This Sunday is the Irish, Italian and Islenos Parade in St. Bernard Parish. Every year pounds upon pounds of potatos, carrots, cabbages, lemons end up on the streets of Judge Perez Drive, simply because, really, how much of that stuff can you store at home?

This year, collect your throws, take what you need and donate the rest to the Community Center of St. Bernard Parish at 1107 LeBeau Street in Arabi. I e-mailed Iray, the executive director, and found out they absolutely will accept and utilize any organic donations they can get.

Please forward this message to anyone you know who is attending the parade. Let's not let all that good food go to waste.

Day 38: More on the grocery front

Winn-Dixie will donate $1 million to Community Pals in Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

And you can make sure that money gets spent in our area by going to www.ccstb.org and click on the "Buy Groceries at Winn-Dixie" link. Print out the bar-code coupon and have the cashier scan it when you make your purchase and the store will make a donation to the Community Center of St. Bernard Parish.

Day 5: Donate a Christmas tree, help save our wetlands

It's the 12th day of Christmas and time to take down your Christmas tree. (Boo!) But don't just stick them in the trash can.

In Orleans Parish, between Jan. 5-8, place live trees curbside (free of ornaments, stands, tinsel and lights). Volunteers will collect trees and ship them to to Bayou Sauvage, where they will be submerged along the coastline, creating new wetland habitats.

Collection in Jefferson Parish will take place Jan. 8-10.

St. Bernard Parish will pick up Monday, Jan. 12.

Flocked and artificial trees will not be collected.

The project is funded by the Louisiana State Department of Natural Resources.