Tis the season of donations (party, games, parents, clothes)

[Mattie]

This was mentioned in the thread about messy rooms, and it struck a chord with me. I know it's common for parents to encourage their children to part with old toys before new ones arrive for during the holidays. I volunteer sorting donations for a charity, so I hope a few guidelines for giving can be offered without offending anyone.

For many families, paying a couple of dollars at the thrift store is the extent of their ability to provide toys for their children. Being mindful of that, and also that we cannot offer refunds, please make sure that any electronic toys are in working condition. You don't need to include the batteries, but they must have the cover for the battery compartment. Without it, the toys are garbage.

Puzzles come in every single day. If you have the original box, please tape it shut. If it's a puzzle on a board, an easy way to keep the pieces together is to wrap the puzzle in saran. Games? With all the pieces they're are a big seller. Please tape the boxes. All too often, all the puzzles and games are thrown in a large trash bag, and we have no idea what belongs in each box.

A lot of stuffed animals are donated. We won't resell them due to concerns about germs and/or bugs. But we do recycle them for cash. Books are treated the same way. If they are in reasonably good condition, we put them out for sale. If not, they are recycled.

Blocks are great, as long as they are together in a container of some sort. Even a ziplock bag helps.

You might be amazed at what comes in. Dolls missing limbs, nerf type balls with big pieces gouged out, birthday party gift bag plastic. It all gets thrown out, but at a cost to the charity. We have to pay for trash pick up.

I know this won't make a big difference in my particular area, but I do think many just don't understand what really happens with their donations. BTW, clothes are fine, including shoes. It's all recyclable if it isn't fit for sale.

[Kibbiekat]

Good to know. Thanks!

[Natsku]

Good post. I worked in a charity shop and quite a few people would bring in broken toys/toys with parts missing which we'd have to throw out. We did re-sell stuffed animals though, people aren't too fussed about germs.

[germaine2626]

Thank you for the post.

I think that a lot of people forget that if a toy or item is not "good enough" (ie, too damaged, broken, too worn out) to give it in person to a friend or coworker they should not donate it to charity, either.

[strawflower]

Thank you for the very informative and helpful post, Mattie!

[no kudzu]

ya done good Mattie.