As we approach St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, March 17, we all start to think about the color green, whether it’s the green Chicago River, green beer, green shamrocks, or certainly green clothing.
Tradition tells us that wearing green on this day is supposed to make you invisible to leprechauns — who will pinch you if you don’t.
What does the color green mean to you?
All over the world, green stands for balance, nature, spring, and rebirth. It’s the symbol of prosperity, freshness, and progress, providing us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment.
We use green in design for spaces intended to foster creativity and productivity, and we associate green with progress — think about giving a project the “green light.”
Those said to have a “green thumb” possess an unusual ability to make plants grow. And, of course, “going green” is when someone or something makes changes to help protect the environment or reduce waste or pollution.
Kermit the Frog found it difficult to be green, but the team at Goodwill Central Coast embraces the concept every day. Think about it. One visit and you can save green and be green in one fell swoop.
Shopping at Goodwill represents a social and environmental statement that truly makes a difference. We not only empower more than 13,000 people per year through job training and employment opportunities, our programs are also helping save the planet.
Each year we help divert around 70,000 tons of clothing and household items from ending up in local landfills. Your purchases give these items a second life. The 4,000 tons of merchandise that doesn’t sell is salvaged.
By shopping at Goodwill, you are also reducing the need for valuable natural resources in the production of new fabrics. So-called “fast fashion” is a major contributor to the ravages of climate change. To grow the cotton required to make a new T-shirt and pair of jeans takes more than 5,000 gallons of water, but by choosing to buy secondhand, you reduce that number to zero.
Green clothing a snap
If you’re in a financial pinch, and want to avoid the dreaded St. Paddy’s pinch, you will find everything green at Goodwill Central Coast stores.
For clothing, you can always find festive, fun Irish fashions. From subtle green prints, to crazy getups, we have something for everyone!
Better yet, this year try dying basic white clothes found at Goodwill a colorful green. You’ll have as much fun wearing your new, green clothing as you will pinching those unfortunate people who forgot.
The internet is full of simple, green ideas to dye white clothes green, including the use of spinach, Kool Aid and safe, packaged dyes.