For many homeowners, garages and basements can become a home improvement item cemetery. Unused lumber piled against a wall, an old sink or lamp, leaning against a box of old tools. In many cases, residents don't know what to do with all these remnants of past improvement projects, so they sit idly in those garages or basements, maybe to be used on a future project.

On the flipside, other homeowners are looking for low-cost alternatives for home projects and spend days scouring tag sales and classified ads looking for someone else's used goods.

But an organization in Springfield has a solutions to all that. The ReStore Home Improvement Center on Albany Ave. accepts donations of quality used cabinets, doors, lumber, windows and many other home improvement items. All of the donations are tax-deductible and the ReStore even offers free pick-up. In addition, the ReStore is open to those looking for cheaper goods and sells all of their donated supplies at a very reduced price, usually 50-75 percent cheaper than retail.

According to Tammi McBath, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for the non-profit, the ReStore serves many purposes. "For one thing, we are keeping a lot of these things out of landfills and that helps communities keep costs down on bulk disposal. In addition, we are also helping people free up space in their garage or basement," said McBath. She added that 25-40 percent of all landfill items are reusable.

Recently, the ReStore participated in Wilbraham's Earth Day festivities, taking donations at the Disposal and Recycling Center.

And homeowners aren't' the only customers of the ReStore. McBath said many local contractors are the largest donators and sometimes even purchasers of products. In fact Wilbraham businesses Triple S, Barron and Jacobs and Kitchen Encounters are some of the ReStore's largest contributors. "If we can salvage a lot of these goods, than that's great. We're doing our job," said McBath. "We're kind of like the Salvation Army, only for home improvement items."

There are certain specifications required to donate items. All lumber and moulding must be a minimum of six feet and plywood must be a 1/2 sheet minimum. Bathtubs must be fiberglass or claw foot and ceramic/vinyl tiles must be new and a minimum of three boxes must be donated.

All materials must be in excellent condition, cleaned, no peeling, chipped or lead paint and materials must not have rust, dents or broken.

For more information call 788-6900 or visit www.restoreonline.org.

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