where can i donate good used toys

by Jevon Greenfelder 7 min read

Where is the best place to donate used toys to?

Local Shelters and Children’s Centers. There are many such children’s local homes and charity center’s where they accept the old toys for the kids there. So, you can also donate your toys there to the children who are needy and dream of having toys.

Where can I donate gently used stuffed animals?

Many local charities have Toys for Tots programs and welcome your new and gently used toy donations year-round. Log on to DonationTown.org to connect to a charity near you — a charity like the Humane Societyl, Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Good Samaritan Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, or Hope Services.

Where can I donate old clothes and toys?

Aug 12, 2020 · You can donate a toy to one of the program’s toy drop locations or host a Toys for Tots event at your home or workplace and collect toys for the program. 2. Goodwill. Goodwill accepts toys that it then sells to others. Any money they make from selling the toys is used in programs that benefit those in need in your community.

Where to donate gently used toys?

Aug 05, 2021 · You can donate both used and new stuffed toys to this charity. It’s essential, though, that if you’re donating used stuffed animals, you ensure that they are gently used and have no stains, rips, or tears. Big Brother Big Sister. The Big Brother Big Sister program accepts donations of small toys, including gently used stuffed animals. However, the pickup locations …

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How do you give away 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

Where can I donate used toys UK?

Where to donate toys for ChristmasSalvation Army. Every year, the Salvation Army run a Christmas Present Appeal in churches and centres across the UK. ... Giving Tree via Kids Out. ... Action for Children. ... Great Ormond Street Hospital. ... British Heart Foundation. ... The TOY Project. ... The Toy Appeal. ... Little Village.More items...•Dec 2, 2021

Is Toys for Tots a good charity?

Did you know that Toys for Tots is a top rated charity? 97% of your donation goes to our mission of providing toys, books and other gifts to less fortunate children. The 3% spent on support principally covers fundraising expenses – not one donated dollar goes to pay for salaries or any other manpower costs.

Is it too late to donate to Toys for Tots?

Q: What ages are supported by Toys for Tots? Most campaign sites are able to assist children up to age 12, but in many local communities, local support is such that the age limit may be extended.

Can soft toys be recycled?

Other recycling collections Undamaged soft toys including teddy bears can be deposited alongside textiles at some textile clothing banks (you can find these in many supermarket car parks).Apr 24, 2021

Is Boys Town a good charity?

​​​Charity Navigator Awards Boys Town Three-Star Rating Charity​ Navigator, one of the nation's largest and most-respected charity rating ​systems, has ​awarded Boys Town one of its highest ratings for the sound management of its finances.

What should I donate to Toys for Tots?

Popular toy categories include sporting equipment, books, backpacks, board games, radio control cars/trucks, hand-held electronics, and skateboards/helmets. Do not give toys that look like realistic weapons or food items.Dec 8, 2020

How much does the CEO of Toys for Tots make per year?

Administrative Expenses According to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation's 2015 Form 990, their CEO, H.P. Osman, has a reported annual salary of $270,500.

What charity stores accept toys?

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.

What charities use old toys?

Another deserving type of charity that could use old toys are those that offer children a familiar object in times of emergency. Both Loving Hugs and Stuffed Animals for Emergencies give stuffed toys to kids in crisis situations, whether it’s a natural disaster or while taking an ambulance ride.

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 donate used toys to hospitals?

Don’t Attempt to Give Used Toys to Hospitals. While they may be able to use a few books and clean items in a waiting room, there are strict hygiene guidelines that must be adhered to when it comes to having toys in patients’ rooms. If you want to donate toys, new items – with tags – are best. Don’t Wrap 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.

Can you give away items on Freecycle?

You can use a site such as Freecycle to post items that you’d like to give away. Just be wary of posting personal details, and never share your address. Instead, meet people in public places, such as the parking lot of a supermarket, to hand off the items.

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.

What is stuffed animal safe?

Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE for short) is a charity that gives stuffed animals to children in emergency situations. Such as children who are involved in a domestic violence incident, a house fire, car accident, or other traumatic event. You can donate gently used stuffed animals to SAFE.

What do domestic violence shelters do?

Domestic violence shelters act as temporary housing while parents work to set up a safe living situation away from their abuser. 8. Resale Stores.

What is emergency childcare?

Many metropolitan cities have emergency childcare services – often called crisis nurseries – for parents who are in a bind and need occasional child care. For instance, if a parent is trying to get help for addiction, or move, or something similar, they can find childcare for a specified amount of time.

Does the Salvation Army accept toys?

The Salvation Army has thrift stores located throughout the United States. Besides toys, the Salvation Army accepts clothing, furniture, automobiles, and more. Note that not all Salvation Army thrift stores or home pickup trucks accept all types of toys or stuffed animals.

Does Marines Toys For Tots accept used toys?

There were a few articles that said U.S. Marines Toys For Tots program accepts used toys as well. According to this webpage, that hasn’t been the case since 1980. The Toys For Tots website said that distributing used toys to some children was giving them the wrong message that they weren’t worthy of new toys, while kids who received new toys were more deserving.

Who is Laurie Blank?

Laurie Blank is a blogger, freelance writer, and mother of four. She’s psyched about teaching others how to manage their money in a way that aligns with their values and has been quoted in Bankrate.

Does Goodwill donate used toys?

Goodwill Industries has been providing help for those in need for over 100 years. When you donate used toys to a Goodwill thrift store, you’ll help Goodwill raise money. The money it raises goes to help the community in a variety of different ways. They help people find jobs, meet their financial needs, and more.

What charities accept gently used toys?

There are so many charities that will accept gently used toys and distribute them throughout their networks. For example, thrift-store organizations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army will resell toys in their shops and use the profits to support their charitable work. You could also give to Toys for Tots, the United States Marine Corps Reserve-run program that gives donated toys to children in need. Toys for Tots hosts popular toy drives around the holidays, but they also accept gently used toys year-round. Cradles to Crayons is another organization that accepts new and nearly new toys to benefit low-income families.

Can hospitals accept toys?

Hospitals. Many hospitals will accept donated toys for their young patients to play with, or to keep children entertained in the waiting room; the same thing goes for doctor's offices. But keep in mind: If you want to donate toys to your local children's hospital, they must be new.

Do police officers carry stuffed animals?

Police officers and firefighters often carry stuffed animals and other small toys with them to comfort children at the scenes of traumatic events, and their supply of toys sometimes depends on donations. Reach out to your local police and fire departments to see if they're accepting donations right now.

Can daycares go through toys?

If you've ever been to a day-care center, you know that they go through toys quickly. That's why if you have a ton of lightly used toys to donate, you might contact a center in your area to see if they're able to give your items a second life.

Can you throw old toys in the trash?

While you might consider simply throwing those old toys in the trash, there are plenty of kids who would love to receive them. And at the very least, you can help them avoid the landfill. Here are all the places you can donate gently used toys, including electronics, stuffed animals, dolls and other items.

Toy Donation Options

There are many good charities like the Salvation Army and the goodwill foundations, which receive the toys from the giver. After they have accepted the toys they will put them up for sale for others to purchase.

Specific Charities That donate Toys for Kids

Earlier it was mentioned that there are many charities that are local and they may not accept your donations. But there is nothing to worry as there are charities which are National they take toys donations. Here s is the list of such charities that take donations for games and toys.

What to Avoid Donating Toys to Kids

There are many charities that love to take donations. But still, there are certain things that you should avert –

Toys and Taxes

In many cases, you can claim deduction on your taxes by donating toys. For that, you have to assemble the toys and see what the condition of it is. Then you should go ahead by making a donation to an organization which is tax-exempt.

Conclusion

You can also visit the website DonationTown.org which takes the donations for charities near your locality. All you have to do is enter your zip code and it will provide a time for pick up of the toys and stuff and it’s giving to the charities.

Which charities can I support through my toy donation?

DonationTown.org will help you locate a charity in your community that will accept your new and gently used toy donations. Many local charities have Toys for Tots programs and welcome your new and gently used toy donations year-round.

What kinds of toys can I donate?

Most charities welcome toy donations of all kinds. (Please do not, however, donate broken toys or toys with parts missing.) Donate sporting equipment and beach toys. Donate dolls, donate Barbies, donate stuffed animals in good condition. Donate action figures, donate dress-up costumes, donate puzzles.

I want to donate used toys! What to do?

If you have other items, in addition to used toys, that you would like to donate to charity, DonationTown.org will help you find a charity in your area that will accept your donations AND help you schedule a fast, free pick-up of your items.

How can I schedule a fast, FREE pickup of my toy donation?

It only takes a few minutes of your time. DonationTown.org has made it easier than ever for you to connect to a nearby charity in order to donate used toys. Donating new and used toys is fast, free, and sure to bring big smiles to the faces of little ones in your community.

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 an offerup?

Like LetGo, OfferUp is an online marketplace where you can buy stuff and sell stuff to people near you and also ship items. OfferUp does have a section just for free stuff as well. You could list your toys on there and give them away to someone who needs them.

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.

What is 5miles?

Again, 5miles is an online marketplace for selling a range of items locally. But it also has a section just for free stuff where you can list your gently used toys. 13. Craigslist. Another site where you can donate stuff to people nearby is Craigslist. Sure, the site is mostly known as a place to buy and sell stuff.

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.

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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 …
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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 short messages of well wishes on certain t…
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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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Charities

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There are so many charities that will accept gently used toys and distribute them throughout their networks. For example, thrift-store organizations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army will resell toys in their shops and use the profits to support their charitable work. You could also give to Toys for Tots, the United States Marine Co…
See more on goodhousekeeping.com

Buy Nothing Groups

  • Especially amid the coronavirus pandemic, it can be difficult to find charities and organizations that will accept donations of gently used toys — but that doesn't mean your kid's old things are destined for the dump. If you can't find any places to donate toys, try posting the items on your local Buy Nothing Facebook group. You could also list the toys on Freecycle or Craigslist. Make …
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Hospitals

  • Many hospitals will accept donated toys for their young patients to play with, or to keep children entertained in the waiting room; the same thing goes for doctor's offices. But keep in mind: If you want to donate toys to your local children's hospital, they must be new. Most hospitals have strict hygiene policies, so you'll need to purchase the toy specifically for the purpose of donating (cont…
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Children's Homes and Shelters

  • Your toys will definitely get played with if you donate them to a local children's or women's shelter. Get in touch with the director of the children's home nearest to you to see where and how your donations can be most useful. Your local social services office might also be able to direct you to children in the foster care system and other children in need who would greatly appreciate gentl…
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Daycare Centers

  • If you've ever been to a day-care center, you know that they go through toys quickly. That's why if you have a ton of lightly used toys to donate, you might contact a center in your area to see if they're able to give your items a second life.
See more on goodhousekeeping.com

Police and Fire Departments

  • Police officers and firefighters often carry stuffed animals and other small toys with them to comfort children at the scenes of traumatic events, and their supply of toys sometimes depends on donations. Reach out to your local police and fire departments to see if they're accepting donations right now. For an easy way to donate toys to this cause, give your items to Stuffed Ani…
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Churches

  • The leader of your local church may know of families within the church who could use a few new toys. Otherwise, the church itself may want the toys to keep children occupied during Sunday school, services or other local events. Contact the church's children's ministry coordinator for more information.
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Recycling Programs

  • If the toys you're looking to get rid of are soiled, torn or otherwise not in great shape, recycling them may be the best bet. You can get in contact with your local recycling service and see if they take toys (because they don't always!), or check out TerraCycle. TerraCycle has a partnership with Hasbro specifically for recycling old toys — it's free and easy! You mail in your toys, and they bre…
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