Donating Gently used toys for christmas

[Anonymous]

Call up a local childcare center or preschool and see if they are interested in your gently used toys. Or, donate them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

FWIW, given the increase in the number of needy families seeking support services (housing, food banks, etc.) from area service providers coupled with the decrease in funding, most local service providers and charitable organizations are struggling -- so much so that extra benefits/services such as holiday gift programs are on the chopping block (after all, it's more important to house, feed and clothe people). If you want to make a real difference this holiday season and teach your kids the importance of giving (while at the same time helping them count their blessings for what they have), I suggest you contact a local service provider and ASK them what is on THEIR WISH LIST. Many organizations have actual detailed wish lists for the clients they serve. Others prefer gift cards to Target or Toys R Us so that the parents they serve can shop for their own kids. If you end up donating a gift card or cash to an organization, take your kid with you to buy the gift card, explain why you are buying it and who it is for, and drop it off to the staff at a local reputable organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having just participated in a toy drive, I strongly believe that anything that is intended to be presented to an individual child as a gift should be new. With very few exceptions (toys that have been opened but literally never played with or played with once), used toys tend to look a little sad. I take our gently used toys to our preschool--the teachers can rotate them into the mix if they like them or throw them out. If your children are not in school, perhaps you could find a local school, community center, shelter, etc. Goodwill is also a great idea.

You need a reality check.

For real! I hope the OP finds somewhere to take her gently used toys.

I have a HHI of 220K and my son gets gently used toys and gently used clothes. I shop the consignments sales and CL (given my income, we leave Goodwill and Salvation Army for those who truly are in need). I buy used toys and clothes b/c my son does not know the difference and we purchase it for a fraction of the cost. The gift to my child is living in household that can survive on no income whasoever for the next 4 years if disaster strikes. My son is growing up in what I consider privilege, but he will NOT be exposed to conspicuous consumption. Anyways, I care about the environment and I'm glad to be reuse these toys.

I don't think the OP is proposing taking her used toys for a "Toys for Tots" drive. EVERYONE knows that you bring new toys for kids who have a wish list or a toy drive. I think the OP wanted to find a good charity that would recycle these toys. I think we would ALL be better off if we recycled all of the excessive toy purchases.

[Anonymous]

I do think the OP was asking about gently used toys for Christmas drives.

I posted already about being frugal and having no problem with used toys or clothes for myself or my kids. We also donate our toys that we've outgrown.

I think OP should go through the kids' toys and donate them, but understand that most if not all the toy drives ask for new toys. I can understand why; it's the idea of having a brand new toy that's just theirs for Christmas. Not a hand me down, not used - - it's a special day. I understand that too. Plus, one man's gently used may be another man's trash, kwim?

My suggestion is that the OP should donate the toys to Goodwill or Salvation Army. And make sure the kids help and know where the toys are going and why. You're still helping, but in a different way. And it's all equally important giving.

[jsteele]

What are good charities for new toys? Especially, charities in DC?

[Anonymous]

Could w emake a list of places to donate things in DC, VA, and MD and post it as a sticky somewhere?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Could w emake a list of places to donate things in DC, VA, and MD and post it as a sticky somewhere?

Sure, if people will suggest places. If someone knows places to donate, start a new thread and I'll make it a sticky.