Greater Milwaukee Men

At the holidays there are times when you can get gifts that you just don't want. It may be a duplicate, the wrong size, or you simply don't like it. There are various things you can do with that item: return it (often with or without a gift receipt), throw it out if not overly valuable, and even regift it. Regifting, passing the gift onto someone else, usually has a stigma attached to it, but is it really so bad? At least the item has a chance to be used instead of ending up in a landfill. But there is another way to look at regifting with a positive spin: donate it. Depending on the item, there are various ways to donate an unwanted gift so that it will have value to someone else, especially others in need.

You can give someone who needs it sparkling clean underwear just like Lulu's logo. When cleaning out our closets, many of us remember that shelters, for men and women, need clothes for their care recipients. These usually consist of pants, shirts, jackets, etc. But some items of clothing just aren't really viable to pass along. Socks are one - I mean who wants to wear socks someone else did? Nesides that they wear our faster than more prominent items of clothing. But there's another item that is taboo - gross even - to consider to reuse: underwear. But of course the residents need these as well, often times moreso than a 'new' pair of pants or a shirt. Cafe Lulu’s Monday night bartender, Chad, works at a local men’s shelter, and he wants to help solve this problem. to this end he will be collecting underwear all night and donating his tips to help this cause with an event Monday August 8 from 5pm to 10pm. To support the Undie 500, bring a package of underwe...

Yesterday, Save The Soldiers Home , a partnership between The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance , made an announcement that will have a great impact on the Milwaukee community. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected a local team's proposal to rehabilitate and restore six of the Milwaukee Soldiers Home District's unused buildings for their original purpose - the service of veterans. The six buildings will be turned into 100 housing units with supportive services for veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. I can't say how much I love the fact that this will be a double rehabilitative effort - both on the buildings and then their use to rehome and rehabilitate veterans. It's a one-two punch to improve Milwaukee. It's always a shame to lose historic buildings and this effort will keep these with such a rich background. They will also provide a much needed servi...