Holiday Giving: Olympia Moving & Storage Donates to Toy Drive, Food Drive & 5K

Happy holidays from Olympia Moving & Storage! December is the season of giving, and Olympia Moving & Storage is continuing their tradition of giving back to the communities in which we live & work. This month we had several opportunities to participate in great events and causes.

Home for Little Wanderer’s Big Wishes Gift Drive with Coldwell Banker

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage sponsored this gift drive to benefit children being served by the Home for Little Wanderers. CBRB offered their offices as drop-off locations for the drive. Olympia donated the trucks and labor to transport all the donations from CBRB offices across the state to The Home’s toy room. The crew, Nandor, Josh, and Glenn, even got in the spirit by wearing Santa’s elf hats to the delivery! Check out pictures from the delivery event below:

Jolly Jaunt 5K to Benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts

Boston Jolly JauntThe Jolly Jaunt 5K was just one of the many Special Olympics events we donate logistics assistance to. This is Olympia’s second year sponsoring the holiday-themed 5K around the Boston Common. The event raised almost $140,000 for athletes with intellectual disabilities!

Lauren, Manager of Strategic Development Initiatives at Special Olympics Massachusetts, had this to say about our donated assistance:

“Thank you so much for all of your help over this past few months! Everything went so well on Saturday, and it was greatly due to all of your and Olympia’s help. If you speak with Ben who was on site with us with the truck and helped us unload today, can you thank him for me on behalf of Special Olympics MA as a whole. Not only was he always willing to jump in and help, but he was beyond professional!”

St. Irene’s Parish Food Drive for the Greater Merrimack Velley Food Bank

Olympia Moving Food DriveFor many years, Clark & Reid (Olympia’s executive relocation brand) has been donating boxes for St. Irene’s Parish’s food drive in Carlisle, MA.

This year, the Parish secured a pound for pound food match with Walmart. As a result, St. Irene’s received 2 tons of food this Thanksgiving, the most donations ever. As a result, Olympia/Clark & Reid donated 160 boxes to the drive, 60% more boxes versus previous years.

Congrats to St. Irene’s Parish for a successful food drive, which will benefit the Greater Merrimack Valley Food Bank.

Read more about Olympia’s recent community & charity involvement:
Olympia bring Moving Truck to Touch-a-Truck Newton
Olympia Moving Pulls a Plane for Special Olympics Virginia
Olympia Moving at Special Olympics MA Summer Games

Happy Holidays! Holiday Playlist Mix from Olympia Moving & Storage!

Happy Holidays Olympia Moving & StorageHappy Holidays from Olympia Moving & Storage! We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Here are just a few of the things we accomplished in 2014:

We’re looking forward to a quick break over the holidays before getting to work to make 2015 the best year in Olympia’s history!

Olympia’s staff compiled this holiday playlist mix as a thank you to all our clients, referral sources, and business partners for a great year! You can take a listen here on Spotify.

Holiday Playlist 2014 by Olympia Moving & Storage

Holiday Playlist 2014 Tracks

Looking for more music? Be sure to check out our Songs for Moving Playlist

Estimating the Number of Boxes For Moving

Estimating number of boxes for movingOur moving consultants are all experts in estimating the weight, volume, and costs for a move, but even they will agree that estimating the number of boxes for moving can be tricky. Truthfully, the number of boxes you need to purchase to start packing is completely variable and unique to every relocation. Some homes are sparse, some families are pack rats, and even the types of boxes needed are unique to what you own.

Therefore, the most accurate way to determine how many boxes you need will always be to have a professional moving consultant do an in-home survey and produce a cube sheet. The cube sheet will include the number and types of boxes you will need to start packing, and that list will be completely customized to your items.

However, sometimes you just need a rule of thumb to purchase boxes and start packing. Here are some averages and generalizations we use for estimating the number of boxes needed for a move:

Before you get started, click here to learn more about the types of boxes sold for packing for a move.

 

Average number of boxes needed to pack an apartment or condo:

ROOM 1.5 cu. ft. small box 3.1 cu. ft. medium box 4.5 cu. ft. large box 5.1 cu. ft. dishpack box Wardrobe Boxes
Kitchen 2 5 4 4 0
Living Room 2 3 2 1 0
Dining Room 0 1 0 2 0
Master Bedroom 1 5 5 0 4
Bedroom #2 1 3 3 0 2
Bathroom 2 0 2 0 0
TOTAL 8 17 16 7 6

How many boxes to move a one bedroom apartment? Approximately 45 boxes. About 54 boxes are required for a two bedroom apartment.

Average number of boxes needed for a single family home move:

ROOM 1.5 cu. ft. small box 3.1 cu. ft. medium box 4.5 cu. ft. large box 5.1 cu. ft. dishpack box Wardrobe Boxes
Kitchen 4 6 4 6 0
Living Room 4 4 4 2 0
Dining Room 0 2 0 4 0
Master Bedroom 3 6 8 0 6
Bedroom #2 2 5 5 0 2
Bedroom #3 2 5 5 0 2
Bathroom #1 2 0 2 0 0
Bathroom #2 2 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 19 28
28 12 10

How many boxes to move a house? Approximately 100, depending on the number of bedrooms, and of course the volume of belongings.

These estimates only take into account an average home set-up.  Think about which things you tend to have more of than the average household, then add boxes based on that.

  • Don’t forget about adding boxes to pack hall closets, basements, attics, garages, and sheds.
  • If you have many books, papers, or records, add more 1.5 boxes.
  • For more knick-knacks, small appliances, and miscellaneous, add more 3.1 boxes.
  • For more clothes, blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals, add 4.5 boxes.
  • For additional kitchenware, add 5.1 boxes.

Paper and Tape

  • Tape: purchase 1 roll of tapes for every 10 boxes
  • Packing Paper: purchase 25 lbs of packing paper for every 2 dishpack boxes, this is enough to cover those dishpacks and additional fragiles in the other boxes

Other tips and rules of thumb for estimating boxes:

  • Don’t forget your mirrors and artwork!  Add 1 mirror carton for every 2 large frames in your home.
  • Do you have bookcases?  Add 6 additional 1.5 boxes for every bookcase in your home.
  • For closets with hanging clothes, a wardrobe box will hold 2 feet worth of hanging items, so just measure the width of your closet to determine how many wardrobe boxes you need.
  • Moving.com has a handy packing materials calculator that is also a good guideline for estimating boxes.

Ready to purchase boxes? If you’re packing for a Boston, Washington D.C., Austin, or Philadelphia move you can request a free box delivery by filling out this form.

Need more packing help? Be sure to check out:
Packing Resource Center
Free Printable Moving Box Labels
9 Items You Shouldn’t Bring When Moving

Decluttering for your Washington DC Move: Furniture Donation Pickup in Washington DC

Furniture Donation PickupIf you are trying to declutter your home prior to a Washington, DC move, consider donating your old furniture instead of selling or trashing it. Not only is it better for the environment, but it is a chance to do some good. Donating furniture is easy with our list of organizations that offer furniture donation pickup in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.

There are plenty of good reasons to donate furniture prior to your move, including:

  • Saving money: the less items you have to move, the more inexpensive your move will be
  • Streamline the move: some of your furniture may not fit through the doorways or stairways of your new home, get rid of those items before move day to reduce stress
  • Redecorating: a new home is the perfect opportunity to get rid of the old to make way for a new home decor aesthetic
  • Simplifying: some studies show that less stuff equals greater happiness

These Washington DC area organizations make it easy with furniture donation pickup. If you live in the greater Boston area, don’t miss our list of organizations that will pickup furniture donations in Boston.

Charity-Net in support of Special Olympics Virginia

As proud supporters of Special Olympics Virginia, we recommend using Charity-Net to schedule a pickup of your gently used clothes, housewares, media, and furniture. Your items will go to Savers and Value Village Thrift Stores, and a portion of their sales will support the athletic programs and competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities. You can book your pickup online. Just enter your zip code, and you’ll be presented with a list of possible pickup dates.

A Wider Circle

This non-profit provides basic need items, education, and long-term support for those in need. They accept furniture, linens, baby items, and professional attire. All your donations will be used by someone in need within days! Fill out this form to schedule a pick up or you can drop off at their office in Silver Spring.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for people in need. Your donations got to their ReStores which raise money for the organization. They are in need of furniture, housewares, appliances, building supplies, and more. Fill out this online form to schedule a weekday pickup from your curb, driveway, or garage. You can also drop items at their Alexandria or Chantilly store Monday – Saturday.

Alive! (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically)

This non-profit is a collaboration of religious congregations in Alexandria, VA to provide a safety net for the needy in Alexandria. If you live in Alexandria, they will send a volunteer to pick up your furniture on Saturday mornings. Call 703-837-9300 x3 to schedule the pickup. Alive! also accepts housewares.

Support Our Veterans

This organization sells your donations and uses the funds for programs for veterans. Use their online form to schedule a pickup of your furniture, housewares, clothes, and more. Then just leave your items on your porch by 8 AM on your schedule pickup day.

Still have leftover furniture? You can also check out this furniture disposal directory from Wayfair.

For more packing tips, be sure to check out:
9 Essential Items You Shouldn’t Bring on Your Move
How to Pack Video Series
Selling Unwanted Items Before Moving