So this week we reached phase 2 of “Sprout for Nowt”, which involved packaging things up and sending them out.
Everyone who sent an email with a mailing address has something in the post; I’ll be contacting a few people who didn’t send addresses and and they’ll be dealt with next week.
To ensure fair distribution of what, to be honest, was a mixed bag of quite rare things and borderline junk, I used a double randomization system. Each package was numbered, and a randomized list was generated. Then for each package in that list, I pulled an address label out of the Hey Manhattan Hat, no fear, no favour.
Although having said that there are one or two people who’ve been singled out for special treatment, mostly because of help given in the past. Those items haven’t been sent yet: not particularly valuable or rare, but chosen specifically. They’ll go next week.
But having no idea who got what, I’d love to know who’s happy and who isn’t and who got what, so do comment here and maybe send a photo. If you didn’t get what you wanted, feel free to advertise for swaps, and I won’t get offended if you take things down to the charity shop or give them away. Check carefully before you do: one of the scruffiest looking objects is a bit of a gem.
We also got the ace high speed postmistress in Burgess Hill Post Office. She wasn’t in the least bit phased by the quantity and wide range of destinations, and got everything through in 12 minutes. Something like 40 items. Very impressive.
A few people have asked about contributions, postage, and what have you, but it’s really not necessary. It’s been fun for me, I’ve cleared some space out, and it generated some traffic for the site which to be honest was the point. If you do feel moved to make a Sprout related donation for any reason, the charity I nominate is Wendy’s “In Harmony”, and there’s a link at the bottom of the post, just click on the icon. But to be clear, this absolutely isn’t something you should feel under the remotest compulsion to do.
