Donate Appliances, Change Lives with Community Forklift

Where’s the best place to donate appliances near me?

The answer is often Community Forklift, located in Hyattsville, Maryland. We always encourage our clients to donate modern refrigerators, microwaves, washers, dryers, and window air conditioning units to the nonprofit. Check out the interview we did here with Tom Patzkowski, the director of donations at the organization. The stories he tells about the difference donated appliances make in people’s lives will put tears in your eyes. The best place to donate appliances near me is definitely Community Forklift.

Key reasons to donate appliances to Community Forklift — interview transcript

What does Community Forklift do with donated appliances, and how do they help people?

Chris: Hey everybody. Chris Lancette at Orion’s Attic. We’re doing another estate liquidation and clean out. And why we love selling some things for our clients. We love giving second lives to other things, like when we bring in and work with Tom Patzkowski from Community Forklift because they can handle the donations of modern refrigerators and certain other appliances.

So, Tom, a lot of people who are leaving a house might not think about things like an extra refrigerator, and they might just think, “Oh, throw it in the trash.” What do you do with these refrigerators, and how do they help you?

Tom: Well, refrigerators are really important to us for two reasons. Community Forklift — our organization is funded through sales, mainly through sales of materials in the warehouse. And so the thing is that we can provide these affordably to people who may not be able to just go and grab another one. More importantly, we also have a vibrant donation program, so we’re donating to hundreds of community groups, families, individuals with need. And so somebody whose refrigerator gives out and they’re say on a fixed income, they can’t go get another refrigerator, this is going to be a lifesaver for people.

And we’ve had experiences. There was one elder. She was 74 years old. She had to keep her medicine cool. So, she would go to her neighbor’s every day and get ice and keep it in a cooler. And so when we brought in a refrigerator, it was the middle of summer, it was July, she said, “Oh, now I can have cold water.” And she could keep her medicine, and she could keep her food good instead of having to go bad because she didn’t have that much. So, it makes a big difference. So, 10 years old and newer on their fridges generally. Washers and dryers are a big one.

What ages and condition are looking for with donated appliances?

Chris: Well, I was going to ask you that. So, let’s slow down just a little bit.

Tom: No problem.

Chris: A refrigerator that’s good for you is 10 years old or newer.

Tom: Generally.

Chris: And in good working condition.

Tom: Yes sir.

Chris:

Can you just tell us with bullet points, what are some of the other appliances that you might be looking for?

Tom: Well, countertop microwaves are a huge one as well, and there’s always a waiting list for those. People need those really badly. And also, washers and dryers are a big one that we always have a waiting list for. In fact, in one of the groups that we donated to was a school, and they set up a laundry room. A uniform was required at this school. It was a public school, but they required a uniform, and a lot of the kids didn’t have access, so we helped set up a laundry room.

So it’s important for washers, dryers, countertop microwaves, and refrigerators, and then ranges. And generally ranges 10 years old and newer, the same with the washers and dryers. Those are things that people are continually waiting for. And here’s another big one. With summer coming up, I’m already sweating, AC units. Window AC units are huge for us. So many people are without that, and so many people are having medical issues. Our elders, they need that air conditioning. So window AC units are big for us too.

What Orion’s Attic does to help people liquidate estates; our love for Community Forklift

Chris: So, folks, at the end of the day, Orion’s Attic can help you with anything and everything that comes to liquidating estates. But think about donating your good appliances to Community Forklift. We love Community Forklift. Learn all about them at communityforklift.org. Tom, we’re just huge fans of your work and happy to be a part of helping you. Thank you so much.

Tom: Thank you for your support. Awesome.

What’s the best place to donate appliances near me? Check out another estate liquidation and donation success story we teamed up with Community Forklift to accomplish.

Contact us today about your downsizing project! 

Orion’s Attic is a full-service estate liquidation, downsizing and home cleanout company based in Silver Spring, Maryland. We also buy antiques and collectibles. We serve the greater Washington, D.C./Maryland/Northern Virginia region. Our service area includes Montgomery County (Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Takoma Park, etc.), Frederick County, Howard County (Columbia, Ellicott City), Prince George’s County (College Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville) plus DC and Northern Virginia.

Learn more about liquidating estates in our Estate Liquidation and Downsizing Guide.