how to donate toys near me

by Lourdes Botsford I 8 min read

Where is the best place to donate toys?

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Where can I donate brand new toys?

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Where can I give toys to charity?

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Where to donate your used toys?

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Where can I donate my plush toys?

Here's Where to Donate Toys to Kids Who Need Them MostCharities. There are so many charities that will accept gently used toys and distribute them throughout their networks. ... Buy Nothing Groups. ... Hospitals. ... Children's Homes and Shelters. ... Daycare Centers. ... Police and Fire Departments. ... Churches. ... Recycling Programs.Oct 13, 2020

How do I know what toys to donate?

Think age appropriateGo through your play room and sort unused toys into piles by age.If you will not be having other children, donate the younger ages to another family or charity.If you do think you may have more kids, then simply store the toys from each age group separately and out of reach.

How do I get my kids to get rid of toys?

Strategies How to happily get rid of toysTalk About the Goal of Less Toys with Kids. ... Make The Toy Purge Playful and Super Fun. ... Involve the Kids in the Entire Process. ... Give Them a Choice within Boundaries. ... Don't Rush the Decision Process. ... Don't throw away anything. ... Keep the memory of the toy.More items...•Nov 24, 2021

How do I let go of childhood toys?

Helping Kids Let Go of Their ToysIf clean-up time has become a battle, then it might be time to get rid of some of the toy clutter. ... Prepare them for letting go of their toys. ... Don't get rid of toys right away. ... Encourage them to donate their toys. ... Help them sell their stuff. ... Memorialize special items.Jan 19, 2015

What charities take toys?

Salvation Army and Goodwill are two of the most recognizable charities that take toy donations. But call your local branch before you go to confirm that it's accepting toy donations. Such charities often give toys directly to less fortunate children, or they sell the toys and put the proceeds toward the organization's efforts. Either way, the toys will be helping people in your community. As an extra incentive, you can donate toys to a qualifying charity or nonprofit group and deduct the items on your taxes.

Can you donate toys to a charity?

As an extra incentive, you can donate toys to a qualifying charity or nonprofit group and deduct the items on your taxes. 2. Hospitals. Many medical facilities accept gently used toys for their young patients to play with while they are hospitalized.

Do religious centers take donations?

If it's not accepting toy donations at the moment, there's a good chance it will be able to direct you to a reputable location that will take your donations.

Do police officers carry toys?

Police officers and firefighters often carry small toys, usually stuffed animals, to comfort scared and injured children on the scene. And local departments generally look to the public for donations to provide this service. So call your local police and fire departments to find out whether they would like some gently used toys. Around the holidays, departments also often serve as drop-off locations for toy, coat, and other donations.

Do daycares need more toys?

It is rare to find a daycare center that is not in need of more toys. With so many children to entertain, daycare centers run through toys pretty fast. If you don't use a daycare center yourself, check with parents in your area to find one that will take your toy donations.

Why do doctors need toys?

Doctor’s offices need toys to keep children occupied in the waiting room or even as a reward for making it through a checkup. So you could help out by donating toys.

What is Marine Toys for Tots?

The Marine Toys for Tots is a program that gives children free Christmas toys. By donating, you put presents under the tree of a less fortunate child on Christmas morning.

What is second chance toy?

Second Chance Toys is an awesome organization that exists to provide toys to kids in low-income households, particularly the ones living at or below the poverty level. You can donate any plastic toy that has all of its parts and batteries.

What is stuffed animal for emergencies?

Stuffed Animals for Emergencies is a wonderful organization that does just as its name suggests – it provides stuffed animals for children to cuddle in times of emergency. Having a stuffed toy to cuddle can help children to feel safe during times like natural disasters or during an ambulance ride, for example. 9.

What is a military charity?

This is an awesome national 501 (c) (3) nonprofit dedicated to helping military families so they can thrive. They help military families with anything from rent and mortgage to utilities, groceries and foods as well as toys for their kids. Visit their website to contact them to see about donating your kid’s gently used toys (or brand new toys) to military families in your area.

Is LetGo a charity?

LetGo isn’t a charity, but it’s still a place to consider giving away used toys. The site is a marketplace where you can buy and sell stuff locally. Although its focus is on selling stuff, there is actually a section just for free stuff where people can list the stuff they want to give away.

What is Ronald McDonald House?

The Ronald McDonald House is an organization that provides accommodation and facilities to families whose children are getting care in a nearby hospital. Basically, it makes it possible for families who live further away from the hospital to be near their children while they’re being cared for.

How to claim toy donations on taxes?

Then, you must specifically donate to a tax-exempt organization. If you’re not sure if a facility can claim exempt organization status, check the IRS EO Select Check tool. Then, ask the organization for a donation receipt when you drop off the toys – you’ll need it for your tax records.

Can you deduct toys from a church?

Churches are tax-exempt organizations, so you can claim a deduction if you donate old toys to a church nursery. Many religious organizations offer daycares or nurseries to their parishioners, and since the service is often low-cost or free, they’re often in need of toys.

Do shelters accept toys?

If you know of a shelter or children’s charity in your area, there’s a good chance that it accepts toy donations. After all, kids will be kids, and children who visit shelters can feel more at ease when there are toys nearby. You just need to call ahead, as some charities won’t accept toy donations.

What do shelters provide?

Shelters provide everything from bedding to toiletries to clothing. Most shelters warmly welcome donations like women’s and children’s clothing in good condition. They also appreciate children's toys, books, and educational tools for kids of all ages.

What is Dress for Success?

Dress for Success is an international nonprofit organization serving women who seek economic independence. Dress for Success welcomes gently-used workplace-appropriate women’s clothing. It also accepts shoes, purses, undergarments, cosmetics, and toiletries and can offer a total head-to-toe makeover for women in need.

What do people leave with when they leave domestic violence?

When people exit a situation where domestic violence is present, they often leave with only the clothes on their backs. Many victims of domestic violence aren’t even able to grab small necessities. Shelters provide everything from bedding to toiletries to clothing.

Can you keep everything Marie Kondo?

It can be so hard to let go of items that a loved one treasured. But you can’t keep everything. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and only choose items that bring you real joy or a positive emotional connection.

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Charities

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Salvation Army and Goodwill are two of the most recognizable charitiesthat take toy donations. But call your local branch before you go to confirm that it's accepting toy donations. Such charities often give toys directly to less fortunate children, or they sell the toys and put the proceeds toward the organization's efforts. Either w…
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Hospitals

  • Many medical facilities accept gently used toys for their young patients to play with while they are hospitalized. Your local hospital might have a toy wish list posted on its website that you can check for its exact needs. Always check with the medical facility before you show up with a box of toys. Some won't accept any items that aren't new due to the risk of spreading illness from seco…
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Doctors' Offices

  • Visit a children's doctor's office, and you might see toys that people have donated. Large toys can entertain children in the waiting room. And small toys can be used in the doctor's prize bin to reward kids for making it through a checkup. Check with your local doctor's office to see what its needs are. If you have kids, you can have them write sh...
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Daycare Centers

  • It is rare to find a daycare center that is not in need of more toys. With so many children to entertain, daycare centers run through toys pretty fast. If you don't use a daycare center yourself, check with parents in your area to find one that will take your toy donations. The greatest need will likely be toys for young children.
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Shelters

  • Women's shelters, as well as shelters for homeless people, are often overlooked as toy donation sites. But children end up at these locations too, and they often come with very few possessions. So many of these shelters will gladly take gently used toy donations. At the same time, you might be able to donate other items, including clothing, bedding, and toiletries. Contact a particular she…
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Children's Homes

  • Children's homes are another place where you can donate used toys for kids in need. Groups of kids live together in children's homes, so toys for kids of all ages are usually appreciated. Don't forget about toys for older children, as they're often an overlooked group in favor of cute toys for young kids. Check your local directory to see whether there is a children's home near you, and fin…
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Military Families

  • With military families constantly on the move, some toys might not make the trip to the family's new home. So some gently used toys could be a nice welcoming gesture for a military family with kids that's new to your city. You also can contact a local military family support group to find a home for your toy donations, or contact Operation Homefrontto search for current needs.
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Religious Centers

  • From newborns to school-age kids, local religious centers often provide childcare services to a variety of children during services and other facility events. Contact a local place of worship to find out what its needs are. If it's not accepting toy donations at the moment, there's a good chance it will be able to direct you to a reputable location that will take your donations.
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Social Services

  • Your local social services division likely will be able to connect you with a variety of kids who would love to play with your gently used children's toys. Contact your local department to find out what it needs and where to bring donations. It also might have needs for other children's items, such as clothing and shoes.
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Police and Fire Departments

  • Police officers and firefighters often carry small toys, usually stuffed animals, to comfort scared and injured children on the scene. And local departments generally look to the public for donations to provide this service. So call your local police and fire departments to find out whether they would like some gently used toys. Around the holidays, departments also often ser…
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Toy Donation Options

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1. Resell Charities Charity thrift stores such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army accept toys and then put them on the store floor for others to buy. Any proceeds they collect from the sale of the toys is put back into programs that benefit the needy right in your own community. However, you should call your local store prio…
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Specific Charities

  • While local charities may or may not need toys, national charities generally always accept donations. Here are several specific national charities that are looking for goods, such as toys and games. 6. Toys for Tots While you may associate Toys for Tots with a call for new, unwrapped toys, the Marine-facilitated charity also takes used toys in great shape. If you have a box to dona…
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What to Avoid

  • While most charities are thrilled to receive toy donations, there are several things that you must avoid: 1. Don’t Give Broken or Soiled Toys. Most facilities don’t have the ability to clean and repair items, so they may simply be tossed in the garbage if they can’t be put back together quickly. 2. Don’t Give Items With Pieces Missing.It’s unlikely that a charity has the ability to locate a replace…
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Toys and Taxes

  • You can often claim toy donations as a deduction on your taxes, but you have to do a few things first. To start, catalog all of the items you’re donating by type and what shape they are in. Then, you must specifically donate to a tax-exempt organization. If you’re not sure if a facility can claim exempt organization status, check the IRS EO Select Check tool. Then, ask the organization for …
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Final Word

  • If none of these option work for you, visit DonationTown.org, a website designed to facilitate free donation pickups for charities in your area. By going to the website, you can schedule a pickup and delivery to a charity of your choice simply by inputting your ZIP code. Wanting to donate old toys is definitely commendable, and there are literally hundreds of deserving charities that coul…
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