As you begin your leap into the New Year, don’t forget the old adage of ‘Out with the Old and in with the New.’

I suggest making time to clean out your closet and attics of unwanted items to give you a fresh start for 2009.

We all know of the common ways to get rid of your old items — the thrift store, a garage sale, pitching it in the trash, but there is a local store that offers a new twist to our disposal predicament.

Treasures Thrift Store on Highway 31 in Pelham across from Pelham First Baptist Church takes your old clothes, household and decorative items, all for a good cause. Well, actually, multiple ones.

Jackie Heckman opened the store because she said she felt lead by the Lord to do so. In fact, 100 percent of the store’s proceeds after expenses go to benefit five local charities including Alabama Baptist Children’s Home and Sav-a-Life of Shelby County, three national charities including Gulf Coast Relief, and lastly, international causes including mission trips to third-world countries.

This ministry thrift store quotes the verse from Matthew 6:19 saying, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth … but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

No matter what your beliefs, we all know how good it feels to get organized and clutter-free. What better way to do it than to donate unwanted, unused or simply unflattering items to Treasures Thrift.

If you are sad to see some of your items go, don’t worry, they will be in good company in the store. The clothing items, while mostly under $5, include pieces from Chico’s, Ann Taylor, Talbot’s, The Gap and other name brand locales. The store not only boasts having people who regularly donate, but also frequent shoppers. Since new donations are received daily, many of their loyal shoppers check in often to scan for new buys.

Make your New Year a good one by contributing to some worthy causes and ridding your house of its clutter. Treasures Thrift will be pleased with the donation and you are sure to be pleased knowing that someone needy is being rewarded by your contribution as well.