To provide families in need, single moms, military families, elderly and other people in need in the Denver Metro area with furniture, large household items that are often too difficult for many people to move and/or too expensive for many people to purchase new. We offer these items at a very reasonable price or even free depending on the person's need. Our flexibility allows us to offer a full range of valuable assistance in ways most of the big charities can't. Not only do we deliver, but we can also help out with getting furniture items moves inside. We also offer the removal, recycling, or disposal of old items.
After purchasing our first family home, I found myself with surplus appliances and several large furniture items. Without much thought, I listed them on Craigslist at a significantly low price. Since I owned a truck and trailer, I offered free delivery, hoping to quickly clear my garage and simultaneously assist someone.
The items were claimed swiftly. Over the next few days, I delivered them to their new owners. I felt as though fate had connected me with five individuals who needed these items the most. This experience revealed a significant gap in charitable offerings for such items.
The first person was an elderly woman who had been without a stove for several months. Unable to purchase a new one and unsure of how to transport a used one, she had managed without. Her granddaughter found my ad and was thrilled not only about the delivery but also my offer to discard the old stove. When I installed it for her, she was so overwhelmed that she cried and hugged me, leaving me in awe, thinking, "I didn't really do that much."
Another item, a sectional couch, went to a single mother of five. Living with diabetes and mobility issues, she had long needed a new couch. With limited finances and no means to transport a used one, she was stuck. When we placed the couch in her living room, her children's elation was palpable. She was deeply thankful, offered heartfelt words, and even insisted on paying me more than the listed price. That day, her appreciation lifted my spirits like nothing else ever had.
Later, I delivered a bunk bed and a queen bedroom set to a family of four, recently rendered homeless by a fire. They were all sleeping on their new apartment's floor. Being able to significantly help them in their time of need filled me with unprecedented pride and satisfaction.
Lastly, my reliable washer and dryer set went to a household of three generations. For any family, a prolonged absence of laundry facilities quickly leads to towering heaps of dirty clothes, and they were no exception. Their profound gratitude left a lasting impression on me.
The appreciation I received that week surpassed any I'd ever experienced. I realized the challenges people face in both acquiring and disposing of large household items. Often, regular waste disposal services won't take them, and major charities, overwhelmed with requests, don't provide immediate assistance. Many are hesitant about online platforms like Craigslist. In dire circumstances, individuals consider discarding usable items as their only recourse.
Motivated by these experiences, I began actively sourcing such items, offering free haulage and delivery to those in need. What started as a simple act of kindness grew exponentially.
Juggling my regular 50-hour-per-week job while dedicating 14-16 hours daily to this mission took a toll. Thankfully, my wife (the brains behind our operations) proposed establishing a local charity. We secured a business license, IRS tax-exempt status, and founded a non-profit. This transition allowed me to leave my desk job, be closer to my family, work alongside my son, and continue serving others—a dream come true. At times, I pinch myself, unable to fathom my good fortune.
That's the journey that led to the inception of "Armchair Samaritan." If you've read this far, I deeply thank you and wish you success in all your endeavors.
Warm regards,
Douglas Evans, Founder Armchair Samaritan
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