During the Holidays around the World, many may be busy with wrapping up end-of-the-year projects at work, finishing the semester at school, or even entertaining and spending quality time with many family members who may be visiting.
There are many ways Local Guides can utilize Google Maps to help others in their communities and around the Globe - one way I wanted to highlight using Maps to help others is by mapping donation centers or boxes in your city. In a post by @RohithaF earlier this year, he highlighted the need for a category for mapping these locations. The category of “donation center” was finally an option and suitable for what I was trying to accomplish.
While venturing about, I noticed that there were many of these donation boxes or trailers that were in my city, but not on Maps. I know a lot of people who have a ton of items they would donate, but they usually cite that they don’t have the time or are too busy to travel out of their ways to drop off their items. By mapping these donation locations, we can make it easier for those who are looking for a way to donate items they no longer use - especially if it is near them.
For the Goodwill donation trailer above, it had no details that provided information on when it was open, no phone number, and didn’t have a name/category that made sense or would indicate that it was a donation center.
Another location that I noticed was not on Maps, so I made the trip to that box when I had a chance and took a photo and video of me placing my own item to donate.
After a few moments, my addition was approved and live!
Many of these donations either go to needy families/individuals or are resold by charitable stores that support employment of those who may be in need or may be disabled and help those in need. Donating this way also reduces the amount of waste that may end up in landfills. By adding these locations to Maps, it may encourage people who have the idea of donating to follow through and do so, especially if the donation center/box/trailer is near them, and will hopefully have trickle down effects of helping others.
Wow thanks @SP31 ! What a great idea for this festive season. Not only are you giving back by donating items, you’re also correcting maps along the way! Love it!! Happy holidays too~!
@Shirley thank you! absolutely, its great when you can combine contributing to Maps with an everyday activity, especially when it benefits others. Happy holidays to you too!
@MortenSI thank you so much - you’re right, a meet-up would be a great idea in the case of identifying and finding these donation boxes and other donation centers as well.
Awesome, @SP31 ! You certainly chose the best time of the year to organize this mapping. Make sure we see the recap, I want to know how much these boxes collected.
Hosting meet-ups in your area will create more awareness in the community, and hopefully other Local Guides will feel inspired to do the same in their city or country.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
Thank you so much @IrrPavlova & @TsekoV ! Definitely hoping that it creates more awareness at the ways us Guides can use Maps to do better and bring awareness .
@SP31 En estas fechas recibimos regalos. Pero estas cajas ofrecen todo el año la posibilidad de recibir las donaciones que otras personas dan a quienes las necesitan. ¡Merecen estar en Google Maps! Buen trabajo
You so much very right @BeatrizAguilar ! It is not that much to receive a gift, but to care for others - your family and close ones and do your part in the helping those in need.
Do you know if there are such initiatives in your country?
in my city, there are places where you can donate your clothes, shoes and toys; depending on the ages, sex and social status, you can go to children’s home, the female or male shelters that bring help to people in vulnerable situation. These houses are supported by the local government, several churches, hospitals, etc. But there aren’t boxes to donate like the boxes that exist in U.S.A
When I went to Orlando, Florida on vacation, I bought a new pair of crocs (shoes). Out of my hotel, I saw a box to donate the shoes, so I put my old crocs there. It was simple and easy.
Great and bravo to you. These are some of the things that inspire some of us. Extending your privilege to the disadvantage. Keep it up. Then I just had an idea relating to my first ever meet up.
Thank you @zafahim & @980 ! I really appreciate the kind words from you both!
Y gracias, @BeatrizAguilar ! I love that memory of the opportunity you had in Orlando to do the same. Even if it isn’t a donation box, making sure that donation centers and other similar places are on Maps is a great way to help! Feliz Navidad!
Local Guides are making significant impact everyday and everywhere.This is a nice idea and initiative. Sincerely, @SP31 this is thoughtful of you and I hope you create a meetup to get more people involved.
absolutely, its great when you can combine contributing to Maps with an everyday activity, especially when it benefits others. Happy holidays to you too! 
thank you! The same to you and your beautiful family as well!