It really annoys me when places ask for new things. Beggars should not be choosers.

Charity board member here to thank PP for her kind donations BUT, I run into the same problem with stuffed animal donations for our holiday toy program.

We very specifically ask for new, unwrapped toys but for over a decade now, my volunteer sorters put huge piles of stuffed animals aside for me to decide if they are considered "new." I determine in about two seconds that no, although there are hang tags (Beanie Babies), or a Boyd's Bear label attached (and that company's been out of business for years) these are considered "used" and to the dumpster all go. One year, another coordinator took my rejects to an animal shelter. Great!

Usually, my volunteers are so concerned about the used stuffed animals' fate that I've taken to boxing all up, taking to a store room and THEN, in the cover of darkness, tossing.

The Family Justice Center is a great place to donate. I know someone that works there, and they are looking for stuff to give the kids.

However, they only take NEW and UNUSED things. Right now they are looking for stuffed animals, books and school supplies.

OP - they probably did take your stuff, but did not end up giving them to the families.

I just called the Family Justice Center and they only accept brand new stuffed animals. The drive is a great idea, just make sure the items are brand new and keep the tags on too!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- they did not trash them. We donated about 100 stuffed animals. I was honest about the fact that they weren't brand new but in very good condition, and they said that was fine.

Most were stuffed animals that my kids got, took the tags off, played with for about 5 minutes....and then they sat on the shelf for YEARS.

+1

Posters here get disproportionately indignant about stuffed animals, OP - it is hilarious! You did the right thing.

So they sat on your shelf for YEARS collecting dust. Great.

Actually I work for a non-profit that serves young children. We are constantly getting "gently used" stuffed animals. I used to try to wash them but now I just trash them.

+1

they tooks op's stuffed animals politely then trashed them.

When new is specified they mean new. Not your dust magnets, not the stuffed animal your kid cuddled when they had hand foot and mouth and then you decided to "help" by donating.

also: hundreds of stuffed animals? I hope you have at least 5 kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- they did not trash them. We donated about 100 stuffed animals. I was honest about the fact that they weren't brand new but in very good condition, and they said that was fine.

Most were stuffed animals that my kids got, took the tags off, played with for about 5 minutes....and then they sat on the shelf for YEARS.

+1

Posters here get disproportionately indignant about stuffed animals, OP - it is hilarious! You did the right thing.

So they sat on your shelf for YEARS collecting dust. Great.

Actually I work for a non-profit that serves young children. We are constantly getting "gently used" stuffed animals. I used to try to wash them but now I just trash them.

Anonymous wrote:OP here- they did not trash them. We donated about 100 stuffed animals. I was honest about the fact that they weren't brand new but in very good condition, and they said that was fine.

Most were stuffed animals that my kids got, took the tags off, played with for about 5 minutes....and then they sat on the shelf for YEARS.

+1

Posters here get disproportionately indignant about stuffed animals, OP - it is hilarious! You did the right thing.

OP here- they did not trash them. We donated about 100 stuffed animals. I was honest about the fact that they weren't brand new but in very good condition, and they said that was fine.

Most were stuffed animals that my kids got, took the tags off, played with for about 5 minutes....and then they sat on the shelf for YEARS.

Anonymous wrote:Ugh who wants used stuffed animals? Even gently used?

A shelter fine. Otherwise donate new. Yikes.

Our local police station took out large garbage bag of gently used animals. Police officers keep them in the trunk for any time they are dealing with a child separated from their parents. A child whose parents have to go to the hospital without them or whose parents were injured in a house fire or whose parents were just arrested is not looking at a stuffed animal and turning it down because it doesn't have a tag on it. They need comfort and something to hold and help them feel secure, which even a gently used stuffed animal can help with.

Anonymous wrote:They ask for NEW only.

FYI

As long as it’s new, it will be loved and it will put a smile on a child’s face,” he said.

Op they probably politely took your used and trashed them.

Ugh who wants used stuffed animals? Even gently used?

A shelter fine. Otherwise donate new. Yikes.

They ask for NEW only.

FYI

Anonymous wrote:I've seen a lot of posts about where to donate stuffed animals....since a lot of places won't take them.

We donated to the Family Justice Center in Rockville a few months ago....it was easy and they were SO happy to have our slightly used stuffed animals.

They just started a campaign to get more donations....so I wanted to share it here...Let's overwhelm them with donations!!!!

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/news/wanted-by-the-montgomery-county-sheriffs-office-stuffed-animals/

The article very specifically says that they need to be NEW stuffed animals.
(But still obviously a very worthy place to make a donation of new stuffed animals!)

Good to know. We just donated a bunch to the Humane Society in Rockville.

I've seen a lot of posts about where to donate stuffed animals....since a lot of places won't take them.

We donated to the Family Justice Center in Rockville a few months ago....it was easy and they were SO happy to have our slightly used stuffed animals.

They just started a campaign to get more donations....so I wanted to share it here...Let's overwhelm them with donations!!!!

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/news/wanted-by-the-montgomery-county-sheriffs-office-stuffed-animals/