where to donate gently used stuffed animals

by Mr. Harrison Schinner 9 min read

Ways to donate stuffed animals:

  • Giving them to someone who wants them
  • Donate them to charity thrift shops
  • Give them to animal shelters
  • Donate to police or fire departments
  • Donate to hospitals
  • Donate via SAFE or other organizations

Full Answer

Where is the best place to donate stuffed animals?

Aug 05, 2021 · There are three ways to donate stuffed animals to SAFE: Donate to a SAFE chapter; Send your donations to an “urgent need” location; Host a stuffed animal drive; You can donate both used and new stuffed toys to this charity.

What charities accept stuffed animals?

Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE) is a 24-year-old nonprofit that is run entirely by volunteers. Our volunteers take in donations of new and gently used stuffed animals, blankets, books, children's clothes, and baby items, cleans these items, and then finds organizations in their area who can use the donations for children in traumatic or emotional situations.

Where can I Donate my old stuffed animals?

Oct 13, 2020 · For an easy way to donate toys to this cause, give your items to Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (SAFE). This organization accepts gently used stuffed animals, blankets, books, children's clothes...

Where to donate giant teddy bear?

The Salvation Army accepts donations of new and used toys, stuffed animals, clothes, shoes, housewares, electronics and more. Your donated toys, games and clothes will be sold in Salvation Army thrift stores, allowing low income families to purchase them and give their kids toys they might otherwise never get.

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Where can I donate stuffed animals in my area?

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 is the best place to donate stuffed animals?

10 Places to Donate Gently Used Children's ToysCharities. Salvation Army and Goodwill are two of the most recognizable charities that take toy donations. ... Hospitals. ... Doctors' Offices. ... Daycare Centers. ... Shelters. ... Children's Homes. ... Military Families. ... Religious Centers.More items...•Nov 6, 2020

What do you do with old stuffed animals to keep?

We've got some excellent ideas for you, ranging from donating them, to repurposing them into handy items for around the home .Donate To Op Shops Or Not-for-profit Organisations.Donate To Emergency Services Or Hospitals.Donate To A Pet Shelter.Arrange A Swap With Family Or Friends.Hold A Garage Sale.More items...•Oct 24, 2020

How do you clean stuffed animals before donating?

Anything you donate should be in good condition and as clean as you can get it. Most stuffed animals that do not contain plastic pellets can be tossed in a lingerie bag, washed on the delicate cycle using cold water and air-dried. When the toy is completely dry, fluff the fur with your fingers or a baby's hairbrush.Dec 12, 2019

Can you donate Beanie Babies?

Donate. If you're not into crafting or really don't want to mess with them, just give them away. Please be sure to only give the new, unused Beanies to these programs unless they agree to accept others.Feb 18, 2019

Where can I donate stuffed animals in Florida?

Mushy Mates. Mushy Mates, located in Orlando, Florida, can help you find local places to donate stuffed animals, which are then passed on to foster care agencies (see Resources).Dec 12, 2019

Are old stuffed animals worth anything?

Apart from ordinary used stuffed animals that people buy there are the ones that sell to serious collectors. Some of these can go for hundreds of dollars. For example, just about anything old that was made by the German company Steiff is sought after by collectors.Nov 5, 2021

Should I throw away old stuffed animals?

When to Mend, When to Send (to the Trash) If you have a broken or dirty toy, try to fix it and clean it. Your kids might realize they still want to play with it, but if it's totally broken or beyond cleaning, it's likely no one else wants it either. Sadly, it might be time to throw that toy away for good.Sep 9, 2019

Why is it so hard to get rid of stuffed animals?

Toys and stuffed animals can be hard to let go of because they are filled with memories of when we were little or when our kids were small. Kids especially can have a hard time prioritizing which items are more special than others, so it's hard for them to let go of any of them.Oct 28, 2016

Do you have to wash stuffed animals before donating?

They will accept new and gently used stuffed animals, children's clothes, children's books, blankets, books, and baby items (but any gently used donations must be washed before mailing or dropping off).

Does Matthew 25 take stuffed animals?

We do accept donations of clean, like-new stuffed animals that do not require batteries.

How do you clean toy donations?

Wash Anything Made of Fabric Just to ensure maximum cleanliness, washing your stuffed animals or baby blankets is appreciated and helps the donation process go smoother. Not only is this good for hygiene purposes, but it also helps the stuffed animal or blanket look and feel newer.Oct 2, 2020

What Kinds of Stuffed Animals Can I Donate to Charity?

With all the birthdays and holidays, toys and stuffed animals start to pile up in the corners of the kids’ bedroom. You can invite your children an...

Which Charities accept My Stuffed Animal Donations?

Many charitable organizations will gladly collect your stuffed animal and children’s toy donations. DonationTown.org will help you find a charity i...

I Have Boxes and Boxes of Items to Donate! What Should I do?

DonationTown.org will help you connect with a charity in your area that will pick up your items from you at a convenient time. It is a fast, free s...

I Have Other Items to Donate to Charity, Too

Charities welcome a range of donations. Donate clothing, donate shoes, donate a dress, donate baby clothing and other baby items. Donate books, toy...

National and Local Charities

Both national and local charities are great options to consider when looking to donate any used toys. One popular option is Toys for Tots, a well-known charity that gives toys to children in need and is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. "Toys for Tots also has a literacy program as well," says Silvester.

Children's Homes and Shelters

If you want to make sure your used toys have plenty of children to love on them, then homes and shelters for children are an exceptional option. Even better, you can look up some children's local homes and shelters to ask if they're looking for toy donations in order to give back to the little ones in your own community.

Hospitals

Many hospitals accept used toy donations to share with young patients or even visitors, but be sure to ask about donation rules and guidelines before making the trip; they may have hygiene restrictions or other rules around what you can and cannot donate.

Fire Departments

Fighting fires is a dangerous job and sometimes it requires comforting scared children. A toy can be a great way to do that. If you want to contribute your child's gently used toys to this cause, connect with your local fire department or consider giving your items to Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (SAFE).

Places of Worship

Churches, synagogues, and mosques have all been known to host several events within communities to give back to those in need, often giving out everything from food and clothing to toys for children. If you have a lot of toys to donate, call around to a few different places of worship to ask if and when they're accepting any toy donations.

Recycling Programs

Ultimately, if no one wants your toys or they're in bad shape, you should try to recycle them. Search online to find out whether you have any local recycling non-profits near you. Hasbro has partnered with Terracycle to accept donated used toys and games. They're then taken apart and processed into raw materials.

Charities

There are plenty of charities that will accept your gently used toys and distribute them to their various networks. Two of the most recognizable charities known for taking toy donations are the Salvation Army and Goodwill. But you want to call your local branch just to confirm that it’s accepting toy donations.

Hospitals

Have you seen any toys in your local hospital? People likely donated them. Many hospitals will accept toy donations to keep kids entertained in the waiting room or for their young patients to play with while they’re in the hospital.

Local Shelters

People often overlook shelters for the homeless and women’s shelters as toy donation sites. But these locations often have children with very few possessions, not to mention toys. Children who visit these shelters will feel more at ease when they have toys to occupy themselves.

Daycare Centers

If you have plenty of lightly used toys in your basement or attic, they’ll likely find better use in a daycare center than gathering dust in a closet somewhere in your house. With so many kids to entertain, daycare centers go through toys quickly. You’ll rarely find one that doesn’t need more toys.

Religious Centers

Local religious centers often provide childcare services to a variety of children during facility events and religious services. They’ll have kids of all ages, from newborns to school-age kids. Contact your nearest religious centers to inquire about what they need.

Police and Fire Departments

Firefighters and police officers will often carry toys, primarily stuffed animals, to comfort children at the scene of traumatic events. And these departments generally depend on donations from the public to provide this service. So, call your local fire department and ask whether you could drop off some gently used toys.

Recycling Programs

If the toys you’re looking to dispose of are worn, soiled, or in poor condition, consider recycling them. Contact your local recycling center and see if they take toys because it’s not always apparent that they will. Alternatively, check out TerraCycle. They have a partnership with Hasbro to recycle old toys for free.

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.

Social

Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE) is a 23-year-old nonprofit that is run entirely by volunteers.

Celebrating 23 years as a nonprofit and over 300,000 stuffed animals donated to children in need!

We would love to help! Please fill out our survey by clicking the button below and we will do our best to get some donations to you ASAP.

Help SAFE!

Your support and contributions will enable us to continue supporting children in need. SAFE is run entirely by volunteers so 100% of your donations will go towards maintaining the SAFE website, getting donations in the hands of children, and supporting our chapter members.

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 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 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.

How to donate stuffed animals?

You can donate gently used stuffed animals to SAFE. However, please be sure that the stuffed animals meet the following guidelines: 1 Only gently used stuffed animals 2 Stuffed animals that have been properly cleaned (the website has a guide) 3 Stuffed animals that were part of a collection, haven’t been played with, and still have tags on are considered “new” even if they’ve been stored cleanly in your home

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.

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.

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 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.

Where can I donate used items?

With more than 3,200 thrift stores around the country, Goodwill is one of the most popular places to donate used goods. Goodwill sells your donations in brick-and-mortar Goodwill stores and on online auction site shopgoodwill.com.

What items can you donate to a charity?

Generally, charities that take donations of household goods allow donations in all categories — including furniture, clothing, toys, books, electronics, vehicles, appliances, housewares, and sometimes bedding — provided they’re clean and in good condition.

What to do with KonMari?

Whether the KonMari method has inspired you to organize and declutter your home or you’re planning to move or downsize, you have to find something to do with all your excess stuff. Instead of tossing them in the trash — where they’ll end up clogging a landfill — give them new life and donate them to someone in need.

How many states does the Furniture Bank network operate in?

The Furniture Bank Network operates in 34 states, giving all accepted furniture directly to those in need. That often includes formerly homeless individuals working to get back on their feet financially.

What charities use donated goods?

Different charities use your donated goods in different ways. Generally, those that accept a wide variety of goods — like Goodwill and Salvation Army — sell used merchandise in thrift stores and use the money to support their programs. Others, typically those that accept specific types of goods — like Furniture Bank Network ...

Does the Salvation Army sell goods?

towns and cities. Like Goodwill, Salvation Army sells donated goods in its thrift stores, using the proceeds to fund their programs. It also occasionally brings donated effects directly to those who need them.

Is Habitat for Humanity a nonprofit?

As with other thrift stores, it resells your donations at a fraction of the typical retail price and uses the proceeds to fund its programs. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing for those in need in the U.S. and worldwide. It works to build and repair homes.

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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 oft...
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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 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…
See more on thespruce.com