I'm on a house cleaning mission and wondering where to donate used stuffed animals? After what will be forever remembered as the Christmas asthma attack of 2009, I've dedicated every free moment to ferreting out every possible irritant and allergy trigger in the house including all but the kids' most beloved plush toys that are worth all the trouble it takes to keep them dust mite free. I always try to recycle my kids' toys after Christmas, but this year I'm especially focused.
I know I could take the whole kit and kaboodle and leave them in the Salvation Army dumpster, but by conducting a little research I have found some answers to the question of where to donate used stuffed animals where they will do the most good.
Here are a few places that I'm going to locate and contact to see if will accept these toys or if they don't they might know of where to donate stuffed animals for children in need.
- SAFE (Stuffed Animals For Emergencies) is at the top of my list if I can locate a chapter near us. A friend told me that this organization collects new as well as used toys and stuffed animals. If I can find one, this is the answer to my prayers because the volunteers take care of distributing the items to children's homes, hospitals and emergency organizations like fire, ambulance and rescue services where the items are used to comfort children. The SAFE website is stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org.
- Homeless shelters are next on my list of where to donate used stuffed animals.
Where to donate used stuffed animals. by state:
ARIZONA - CALIFORNIA - OHIO
If you live in Arizona, California and Ohio you might want to check out Project Night Night. This organization creates and donates tote bags for homeless children ages 0-10 that contain a blanket, a book and a stuffed animal. At this time, their website says they only have drop-off locations in those three states, but we can only pray that they expand.
FLORIDA
Floridian families can contact Mushy Mates to donate their used stuffed animals to foster children and other needy kids. This non-profit group is based in Florida but helps children in all states and I've also heard that they accept donations from all 50 states but I'm unclear as to the process. Maybe somebody can respond and help us out with some details?
Mushy Mates works with case workers to get the toys to the foster children. You can also donate money as well as toys to any of their local foster care agencies, family homeless shelters or battered women's shelters and it's probably a good idea to mention the Mushy Mates' charity by name. If you have questions, you can contact Mushy Mates by email at MushyMates at MushyMates.com.
If you have any more tips on where to donate used stuffed animals, please return to Family Recipes, Babies and Parenting Issues and share them.
4 comments:
When I was a kid, we used to donate stuffed animals and books to local hospitals. Of course, they have to be clean and not falling apart, but my Mom just called up a few hospitals in our area and we dropped them off. Even if the hospital didn't have a children's ward, most were overjoyed to receive the donation, and even happier to see me and my siblings giving them away with love.
The stuffed toys that you are donating probably have been kept allergen and dust mite free to prevent flaring your daughters' asthma. But what about the toys from households that don't pop them in the freezer from time to time? Wouldn't it be good to do this before they take them to the drop-off site? Or would that be the responsibility of the distribution center or the recipient?
This article ROCKS and came at a time when I was wondering what to do about my kids' toy chest that is overflowing after Christmas!
It was a great and inspiring read for me as are your posts about your child's and husband's illnesses. Keep it up and keep the faith.
It was a great and inspiring read for me as are your posts about your child's
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