Urge to Purge grows with support of Marilyn Denis
Since opening in 2012, Urge to Purge, a Welland company that helps people de-clutter their homes or businesses, has grown a lot.
Vice-president Lynn Melloni said it does what it can to be able to help people who are in situations where they just have too much stuff.
Sometimes that means helping people in hoarding situations and recently they’ve also been able to help people do estate clean up and appraisals.
“It is not work, it’s a passion,” Melloni said on Tuesday while sorting day at the company’s Thorold Road facility.
She explained that the business is hired to go into people’s homes or business spaces to help sort through and get rid of items that are no longer needed or wanted. Items that can be salvaged go with the Urge to Purge team back to headquarters, where workers sort items again for donation purposes. The donations are made to local charities and non-profits.
Krystal Raimondo, director of business operations, said workers sort items specifically for each charity’s need. Urge to Purge takes in a large variety of items, including housewares and medical equipment, so it’s important to make sure these things get where they are needed.
Melloni said the Urge to Purge team helps people all over the region, but has extended its services beyond Niagara’s borders, too. A few times that has been thanks to The Marilyn Denis Show, a lifestyle and entertainment show on CTV.
The first time Urge to Purge was on the show in 2015, its crew helped a mom in Hamilton. Two weeks ago, the company filmed another episode in Oakville and on Monday was back on the show to help someone in Cambridge.
Melloni called being on the show multiple times heartwarming and said it shows that people respect what Urge to Purge does.
Because of the increased awareness of the business and increased coverage area, Urge to Purge has been able to grow.
Raimondo said what started as a mother and son business — Melloni started it with son Mark — with only part-time workers and a small network of contractors has grown to be able to have full-time staff, a large number of contacts and to help a wealth of people.
Despite extending its reach, Melloni said the Urge to Purge team is Welland-based.
“Our heart is here in Welland,” she said. “Our allegiance is here to make sure everyone here gets helped first.”
Raimondo said the Marilyn Denis Show show filmed in Oakville has aired, but the Cambridge one will air sometime this month.
More information about Urge to Purge is available at urgetopurge.ca.