Donate stuffed animals

[notnatalie.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know if there's someplace that would accept really gently used and looking like brand new stuffed animals? I know Cradles to Crayons won't, I don't think Goodwill or Salvation Army will.

Comments

[abilouise.livejournal.com]

I think the Cambridge Women's Center is able to accept some.

[enveri.livejournal.com]

SA/GoodWill has always accepted stuffed toys from us before, maybe we were just lucky and they didn't look through our donations with a scrutinizing eye? :/

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

A lot of places have changed their rules since the wave of bedbug reports along the East Coast.

more information, in case people are interested

[2ndchancesinc.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone -
I just wanted to let people know why many charities don't accept stuffed animals. Things with stuffing (pillows, animals, comforters) carry a high risk for transferring bedbugs. Most organizations don't have the ability to launder these items and if we take donations of stuffed items the risk of infestation of clothing and other usable items is very high.
So, that's the deal.
-- Andrea
P.S. I know that your stuffed animals are bedbug-free. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.

Re: more information, in case people are interested

[notnatalie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I do understand the reasoning and it makes complete sense, esp. for the larger organizations that get so much. I know people of means who are loathe to throw out really used, icky things because they think somebody really poor at Goodwill will want them (they won't!). I didn't know if a smaller org might be able to assess what they get and be interested, or if I should just toss or find a creative re-use for them.

Re: more information, in case people are interested

[2ndchancesinc.livejournal.com]

I don't know if we'd be a good guide, but we are a small organization (<$30,000 a year budget, one 40% time staff person) and we have to be very concerned with the risk of bedbug contamination, as it could risk our entire supply of clothing, etc. that our clients so desperately need.

Re: more information, in case people are interested

[notnatalie.livejournal.com]

Yes, these days I avoid entirely that big bin of bedding/curtains etc that is downstairs at the Davis Salvation Army---just not worth the chance.

[neuroacorn.livejournal.com]

With holidays coming up maybe Toys for Tots?

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Toys for Tots takes donations of new toys only.

[fluffpot.livejournal.com]

Boomerang's in Cambridge can accept them.

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

in other places I've lived, libraries will take them for their children's area

[rozhinka.livejournal.com]

The Children's Clothing Exchange (http://www.solutionsatwork.org/Services/ChildrensClothing.html) accepts stuffed animals. I donated some a couple of days ago.

[m-b-w.livejournal.com]

Big Brother/Big Sister does, and they pick up:
http://gd.bbbsfoundation.org/gd.donations/main/acceptabledonations.aspx