File It Away

You may have loaded something in your car to remind you to find a new home for it. And you forgot, until you were rushing to your next appointment and you heard it sliding and shifting around. For the past three weeks, I have heard the clanking and squeaking of a file cabinet in the back of our van. I was searching for a business that may need it, but none seemed to be the right fit, until today.

Tim and I toured an organization called REACH. They remanufacture secondary lumber, plywood, paper and other timber products into finished goods. Some of the wood they build into pallets that are used by local farmers to ship produce.

One project that they are expanding is recycling. They are working with the local waste management company to give more people jobs while helping clean up the environment—recycle and reuse.

I was impressed with the reprocessing of products that may have been thrown away, but then I was even more fascinated when they explained who was working in the shop. They are called “clients” and are developmentally disabled. Some were born with a disability and others were injured in accidents.

The clients excitedly demonstrated their job duties. Jackie, who we know from church, stopped working and ran over to greet us. Another man, who was running the forklift, was introduced as an amazing person who could do anything they needed him to, but cannot speak or hear.

REACH’s mission is “sustaining people, community and earth by providing support for people with disabilities by providing job skills, training and employment.”

I was moved by REACH putting people to work to reuse what others may not value.

Reach is having a yard sale this weekend. Today’s gift was a file cabinet for their yard sale.

In Giving,

Robin