WILLIAMSBURG – Alisha Self, Owner of the Hampton Roads franchise of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, will host her next Free Furniture Friday on March 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 309 McLaws Circle, Suite I, Williamsburg.
The event is open to the public, and all items are available at no cost.
Since launching the initiative in November, Self has been transforming her company’s warehouse into a pop-up resource for families in need twice a month, with plans to expand to every Friday in the coming months.
“We have a lot of people in our community who can’t even afford ten dollars at a thrift store,” said Self. “It means so much to me that we’re able to give these items away completely free. Even in Williamsburg, there are families who truly need the help.”
How It Works
When Self’s team collects high-quality furniture during moves and junk removal jobs, items in excellent condition are set aside. While donation partners regularly pick up select pieces, they cannot accept everything. That inspired Self to open the warehouse directly to the community.
When inventory builds up, she announces Free Furniture Friday on Facebook, where word quickly spreads through local groups and nonprofit partners.
At the last event in late January, 50 to 60 people lined up before the doors opened, some arriving as early as 9:15 a.m. To ensure fairness, the doors open promptly at 10 a.m., and attendees receive color-coded stickers to claim items.
Available pieces have included couches and bedroom sets, mattresses and dressers, tables and chairs, storage units and décor, children’s toys, as well as riding and push lawn mowers.
Self provides staff members on-site to help load furniture into vehicles at no cost, though attendees must have their own transportation. Discounted delivery may be available in some cases.
A Community Response
At the first event, a woman working to house two homeless families cleared out nearly the entire warehouse. A local agency serving survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking has also benefited, taking furniture to help families start over. Recently, a father and daughter attended to furnish her new home.
Self has also formed a partnership with neighboring nonprofit Williamsburg House of Mercy, which now contributes additional donated items.
“A lot of nonprofits are coming,” Self said. “We’re seeing organizations and families who are working hard to rebuild their lives. If we can make that process just a little easier, that’s worth it.”
A Mission Rooted in Experience
Originally from Texas, Self moved to the area as a Navy spouse. After operating an in-home daycare during the pandemic and later pivoting into special needs care, she decided to pursue franchise ownership, inspired in part by difficult military relocations she experienced firsthand.
Today, she runs a woman-owned, family-operated business. A single mother of three boys, Self employs her twin 18-year-old sons and her brother with special needs as part of her growing team.
“We pay to staff these events because it matters,” she said. “I really love that I get to give it away for free.”
For updates on upcoming events, community members can follow the Hampton Roads College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving Facebook page.
