Toy donations?
Chuck emailed this morning about trying to find a place to donate gently used toys:
As the only child, and worse, the only grandchild, our now 7 year old has several (clean) garbage bags and RubberMaid storage bins full of (also clean) plush toys, and other assorted kid paraphernalia. An embarrassing amount for one child actually. We'd love to see that these go to other kids as they are all in great condition, but it seems toy donations always need to be new toys.
I'm tempted to just leave them on some church steps or push them into one of those used clothing bins, but I'd rather like to see that they go to the right place.
Can you help!
Anyone have ideas?
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Comments
Great topic, especially when children will be upgrading their toy collections in the next few days.
Domestic violence shelters are usually up for accepting toys, as are some community health centers (for their children's waiting areas).
If anyone out there has a gently-used Wii, I'll take that one myself.
... said Siobhan on Dec 22, 2009 at 12:11 PM | link
Community Maternity Services will take lots of children's items, except stuffed animals.
... said Stacey on Dec 22, 2009 at 12:38 PM | link
Naomi tackled this back in September.
... said Mrs. M on Dec 22, 2009 at 12:41 PM | link
Many folks in the not-for-profit world belong to the local Freecycling group, watching for specific items.
You can post an offer and explain the type of place you'd like it to be donated to, then just screen the responses. Even better, they'll probably offer to pick it up!
... said abby on Dec 22, 2009 at 12:44 PM | link
Try local preschools. I used to work at one, and we never turned down used hard toys. Plush are a bit trickier, but blocks, puzzles, books, would all be well loved and much appreciated, especially in some of the less well-off neighborhoods.
... said Emily on Dec 22, 2009 at 1:04 PM | link
city mission/259 South Pearl Street/462-0459
will gladly accept used toys as well as childrens clothing
... said maureen on Dec 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM | link
The kid's play room at Gilda's Club in Latham (a center for people with cancer to go to) could use toys, games, etc.
http://www.gccrny.org/
... said Ginny on Dec 31, 2009 at 1:04 PM | link