Self-storage operators around the world have launched drives to collect clothing, food, toys and more for various charitable organizations this holiday season. Here’s a summary of how they’re giving back to their communities.

Amy’s Attic Self Storage, which operates seven Texas locations, collected holiday cards this month as part of its “Community Through Cards” initiative for distribution to local nursing homes and first responders. The cards were accepted at all company locations until Dec. 14. The facilities in Copperas Cove, Harker Heights and Salado also provided decoration stations where community members could make cards, according to the source.

The Copperas Cove location also partnered with the second-grade classes at J.L. Williams/Lovett Ledger Elementary School on card creations. The student-made cards will be delivered to the Copperas Cove Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for its holiday party on Dec. 20. Additional cards will be given to local first responders as well as residents of the Hill Country Rehab and Nursing Center, the source reported.

Amy’s Attic launched the card program in 2017. “The Community Through Cards is really a way for us to share, connect and grow through this program,” said Chandra Howard, property manager for the Harker Heights location. “We love doing any type of activity or event that allows us to give back, and the fact that we actually go onsite and deliver these things, those are things that I know our staff look forward to doing as well as the people who participate.”

Since the program’s inception, several local teachers have implemented the card donations into their lesson plans, focusing on teaching children about shapes, writing and colors. The program also shows students the importance of being a part of a community, Howard said. “As little as decorating a card will help them in the future understand what that means to actually be able to reach out and give back,” she added.

The Copperas Cove site also offered space to parents to wrap presents and a box for children to drop off letters to Santa.

Amy’s Attic Manager Lisa Sherwood said she enjoys delivering the cards to nursing-home residents. “It makes my heart happy,” she said. “When I see them, the older people that don’t have family, it just brightens up their day. When they hug you and say thank you, that’s what it’s all about—is to make them happy—especially during the holidays when they don’t have anybody, because they feel so alone in there. It’s well worth it.”

Founded in 2004, Amy’s Attic hosts regularly community events and donates to local schools, first responders and other charitable organizations.

1-800-Self-Storage.com, which operates 13 locations in Michigan, and mobile-storage provider Container on Wheels (COWs) of Pontiac, Mich., once again partnered with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department in November for its annual “Coats for the Cold” drive. The self-storage operator donated boxes for the event’s 68 drop-off locations, and collected items at its Oak Park and Troy, Mich., locations. COWS provided mobile containers at four drop-off sites. The donated outerwear was delivered to several charitable organizations, who then distributed them to those in need at no cost.

The Access Self Storage facility in Coventry, England, is collecting donations until Dec. 14 for Crisis UK, an organization that provides education, employment, housing and well-being services for the homeless. The company’s goal is to beat last year’s collection of 1,600 items. Now in its eighth year, the drive has collected more than 4,500 donations.

“Having collected for Crisis UK for several years, we feel very close to this charity and really believe in the great work they do for our community,” said property manager Nick Laming. “It is wonderful to see their appreciation when we hand over the donations, and we want to urge our community to help spread cheer to the homeless in our area this Christmas.”

Access operates more than 50 facilities in the United Kingdom, with a large concentration in Greater London.

Family-owned and operated Apple Self Storage of Canada has launched its fourth annual “Santa’s Secret Storage.” Community members can direct postage and courier deliveries to one of the company’s 29 participating locations and the gifts will be held for free until Dec. 24.

“We’re so excited to be offering this amazing service again this year. The ability to shop online and not have to manage your schedule to be home to accept courier deliveries, or risk leaving those new Christmas presents on your porch is something that we’ve been offering to customers of Apple Self Storage for years,” said David Allen, the company’s vice president of development. “But during the Christmas season, it’s exciting to be able to open it up not only for our customers but for anybody. It’s our little way of trying to help busy Canadians, and keep prying eyes and fingers out of their Christmas surprises.”

US Storage Centers, which operates self-storage facilities in 15 states, is partnering with Move for Hunger to collect food for local food banks at its 17 locations in Tennessee and Texas, until Dec. 28. Each location will have a designated area for people to drop off non-perishable food items. Move for Hunger is a nonprofit that works to fight hunger and reduce food waste.

“US Storage Centers believes that we must all take a stand against hunger,” said Charles Byerly, CEO and president.

Founded in 1985, US Storage Centers is the operating brand for Westport Properties Inc., a real estate investment company that acquires, develops and operates self-storage facilities.

Sources:
Coventry Live: The Simple Way You Can Help Coventry's Homeless This Christmas
The Oakland Press, Donation Time: ‘Coats for the Cold’ Kicking Off in Oakland County
Virtual Strategy Magazine, Apple Self Storage Presents Santa’s Secret Storage
Cover Leader Press, Amy’s Attic Collecting Cards for Nursing Home Residents, First Responders