Charlestown Donates 436 Items of Furniture/Appliances Year-to-Date to Habitat for Humanity in Halethorpe

Charlestown retirement community has donated hundreds of pieces of furniture, appliances and other household items year-to-date to the nonprofit homebuilder Habitat for Humanity in Halethorpe, Maryland. The donation resulted from Charlestown’s ongoing modernization of its apartment homes, replacing everything from doors to dishwashers in an effort to provide its residents with the best possible living conditions.

A total of 436 items have been donated to Habitat for Humanity. And by giving everything to Chesapeake ReStore, Charlestown is supporting the local community as well as the environment. Chesapeake ReStore sells everything back to the public at lower prices, and the proceeds support the national mission of Habitat for Humanity.

Mirroring other green initiatives such as recycling light bulbs and batteries -- as well as paper, plastic and steel -- the donations reflect Charlestown’s commitment to recycling, as well as its dedication to service. Charlestown residents assist in the renovation and donation process, according to Charlestown’s Associate Executive Director Vinson Bankoski.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to give back from an ecological and sustainable perspective to contribute to a dwelling that someone would actually use, rather than giving it to a landfill,” Bankoski said. “Our residents donate thousands of hours in volunteerism to the local community, and this is just another way for them to give back.” 

Halethorpe ReStore director Tim Kenney said the partnership with Charlestown helps provide the local area with quality, affordable furniture and appliances that might be financially out of reach for area residents otherwise.

“Charlestown is consistently good, the actual quality is nice and more than any individual can donate,” Kenney said. “It provides discounted items for people in the community who may not be able to buy things new.”

Charlestown resident Lon Chesnutt is now producing a video documentary about the donation process.

“The idea came from several residents about three years ago wanting to know what happened when an apartment was refurnished,” he said. “Now, between residents, Charlestown staff and Habitat for Humanity, many items are recycled and saved from the trash.”