Is your family drowning in stuff? We’ve all been there when our closets have been full, drawers were overflowing, and our garages hadn’t seen a car parked in there in years. Where did all of this stuff come from, and how do you get rid of it? While it does take some time, it is doable, and there are lots of nearby places to donate used toys, clothes and kid gear that are taking up much-needed space at your place. Here’s what you need to know.
Where to Start
If you already know what items need to go, you’re off to a great start. If not, it’s recommend that you go from room to room with three boxes or containers marked: “To Keep”, “To Throw Away” and “To Donate.” Tackle those piles by putting items in the appropriate box. You might need to make some tough decisions on what not to keep, but experts suggest that if you haven’t used it in over a year, it’s time to toss it.
Where to Donate
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[rt_slide image=”2104787″ caption=”Mary’s%20Place” title=”Mary’s%20Place” body=”%3Cp%3EThis%20safe%20haven%20provides%20more%20than%20just%20the%20tangible%20needs%20of%20food%20and%20shelter%20for%20homeless%20families%20with%20children%3B%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marysplaceseattle.org%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3EMary’s%20Place%3C%2Fa%3E%20also%20provides%20a%20community%20and%20a%20safety%20net%20for%20women%20and%20families%20looking%20to%20rebuild%20their%20lives%20and%20move%20back%20into%20housing%20quickly.%20They%20are%20always%20in%20need%20of%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marysplaceseattle.org%2Fshare-your-stuff%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Egently%20used%20items%20and%20other%20items%3C%2Fa%3E.%20They%20have%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marysplaceseattle.org%2Fsupport-us%2Fdonation-drop-off%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Edonation%20stations%3C%2Fa%3E%20in%20SODO%20(Mon.-Sat.%2C%208%3A30%20a.m.-4%20p.m.)%20and%20Seattle%20Regrade%20(Mon.-Fri.%2C%209%20a.m.-5%20p.m.%20and%20Sat.%2C%209%20a.m.-1%20p.m.).%20More%20information%20about%20each%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marysplaceseattle.org%2Fsupport-us%2Fdonation-drop-off%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Elocation%20and%20drop-off%20hours%20can%20be%20found%20online%3C%2Fa%3E.%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat%20new%20or%20used%20items%20to%20donate%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Children’s%20books%2C%20backpacks%2C%20tote%20bags%2C%20fanny%20packs%2C%20small%20suitcases%2C%20bottles%2C%20sippy%20cups%2C%20in-season%20clothing%20for%20men%2C%20women%20and%20kids%2C%20raincoats%2C%20towels%2C%20utensils%2C%20small%20appliances%20(microwaves%2C%20crock%20pots%2C%20toasters%2C%20blenders)%2C%20digital%20ear%20thermometers%2C%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat%20NEW%20items%20to%20donate%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Diapers%20(especially%20sizes%205%20%26amp%3B%206)%2C%20baby%20wipes%2C%20hand%20sanitizer%2C%20antibacterial%20hand%20wipes%2C%20individual%20tissue%20packets%2C%20alcohol%20wipes%2C%20cough%20drops%2C%20Pedialyte%20packets%2C%20pain%20relievers%20(Ibuprofen%2C%20aspirin)%2C%20topical%20antibiotic%20ointments%20(like%20Neosporin%20or%20PolySporin)%2C%20cough%20drops%2C%20hairbrushes%2C%20hair%20ties%2C%20body%20wash%2C%20ethnic%20hair%20care%2C%20lotion%2C%20Chapstick%2C%20razors%2C%20nail%20clippers%2C%20makeup%2C%20mouthwash%2C%20toothbrushes%20and%20toothpaste.%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EItems%20with%20a%20high%20need%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Twin%20sheets%2C%20blankets%2C%20pillowcases%2C%20auto%20shop%20gift%20certificates%2C%20maternity%20clothes%2C%20new%20underwear%20(all%20sizes%20-%20men%2C%20women%20and%20children)%2C%20stroller%20covers%20and%20towels.%20Check%20online%20for%20the%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marysplaceseattle.org%2Fshare-your-stuff%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Ecomplete%2C%20most%20up-to-date%20list%3C%2Fa%3E.%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
[rt_slide image=”1793394″ caption=”Pixabay” title=”The%20Healing%20Center%20″ body=”%3Cp%3EAs%20the%20only%20drop-in%20grief%20support%20center%20for%20youth%20(ages%204-18)%20in%20the%20area%2C%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healingcenterseattle.org%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3EThe%20Healing%20Center%3C%2Fa%3E%20fills%20an%20important%20gap%20in%20supporting%20kids%20who’ve%20experienced%20loss%20or%20trauma.%20The%20Healing%20Center%20also%20offers%20grief-support%20for%20adults%2C%20children%20and%20families%20as%20well%20as%20a%20day%20camp%20in%20the%20summer.%20The%20organization%20offers%20a%20unique%2C%20long-term%2C%20multi-faceted%20approach%20to%20grief%20support%2C%20combining%20group%20support%20with%20informal%20events%20and%20social%20networks.%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EChildren%E2%80%99s%20programming%20supplies%20needed%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Crayons%2C%20markers%2C%20colored%20pencil%2C%20coloring%20books%2C%20notebooks%2C%20board%20games%2C%20sketch%20book%2C%20Play-doh%2C%20model%20magic%2C%20beading%20supplies%2C%20watercolor%20supplies%2C%20washable%20kid’s%20paint%2C%20construction%20paper%2C%20plain%20white%20paper%20and%20stickers.%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHousehold%20supplies%20needed%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Furniture%20(couches%20and%20chairs)%2C%20lamps%2C%20side%20tables%2C%20office%20chairs%20and%20office%20desks.%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3EPlease%20contact%C2%A0%3Ca%20href%3D%22mailto%3Adonations%40healingcenterseattle.org%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Edonations%40healingcenterseattle.org%3C%2Fa%3E%20if%20you%20think%20you%20can%20help.%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E6409%201%2F2%20Roosevelt%20Way%20N.E.%3Cbr%20%2F%3ESeattle%2C%20WA%2098115%3Cbr%20%2F%3E206-523-1206%3Cbr%20%2F%3EOnline%3A%C2%A0%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healingcenterseattle.org%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Ehealingcenterseattle.org%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
[rt_slide image=”1816587″ caption=”Pexels” title=”The%20Brick%20Recycler” body=”%3Cp%3EIf%20you%20have%20a%C2%A0LEGO%20lover%20in%20your%20life%20who’s%20ready%20to%20release%20his%20or%20her%20(millions)%20of%20LEGO%20bricks%20and%C2%A0figurines%2C%20do%20%3Cem%3Enot%3C%2Fem%3E%20put%20them%20in%20your%20normal%20%22donate%20box.%22%20Organizations%20like%20the%20Goodwill%2C%20Salvation%20Army%2C%20etc.%20will%20just%20throw%20them%20away%20if%20they’re%20not%20in%20a%20complete%20set%20and%20if%20you%20try%20to%20recycle%20them%2C%20the%20city%20will%20sort%20them%20out%20and%20send%20them%20to%20the%20landfill.%20Give%20your%20LEGOs%C2%A0a%C2%A0new%20lease%20on%20life%C2%A0by%20sending%20them%20to%20the%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brickrecycler.com%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3EBrick%20Recycler%3C%2Fa%3E.%20They%20will%20then%20send%20sets%20of%20LEGOs%20to%20schools%20in%20low-income%20areas%2C%20foster%20care%20programs%2C%20hospitals%2C%20and%20other%20organizations%20are%20also%20in%20need%20of%20LEGO%20sets%20but%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20the%20money%20to%20buy%20them.%20You%20can%20ship%20them%20your%20mixed%20bag%20of%20LEGOs%20(for%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brickrecycler.com%2Freimbursement-for-ground-shipping%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Efree%20if%20you%20ship%20via%20ground%20service%3C%2Fa%3E%20including%20UPS%20Ground%20and%20FedEx%20Ground)%20and%20they’ll%20sort%20and%20pass%20your%20bricks%20along%20to%20future%20builders.%20What%20a%20brick-tastic%20idea!%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3EAddress%20shipments%20to%3A%3Cbr%20%2F%3EBrick%20Recycler%20c%2Fo%20Guaranteed%20Express%3Cbr%20%2F%3E652%20N.%20King%20Rd.%3Cbr%20%2F%3ESan%20Jose%2C%20CA%2095133%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3EOnline%3A%C2%A0%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brickrecycler.com%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Ebrickrecycler.com%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
Before Donating, Please…
[rt_slide image=”1888127″ caption=”Treehouse” body=”%3Cp%3EBefore%20you%20start%20your%20post-nap%20time%20stealth%20purge%20of%20the%20toy%20bin%20or%20(gasp!)%20before%20enlisting%20the%20kids%20in%20selecting%20a%20few%20of%20their%20treasures%20to%20share%20with%20a%20child%20in%20need%2C%20here%20are%20a%20few%20tips%20for%20donating%20used%20toys%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E1.%20Make%20your%20donations%20count%20by%20only%20offering%20items%20that%20are%20truly%20%22gently%20used%22%20and%20in%20good%20working%20order.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Almost%20all%20organizations%20will%20throw%20away%20broken%2C%20stained%20or%20otherwise%20unusable%20toys%2C%20clothes%20or%20other%20donations%2C%20including%20toys%20missing%20any%20of%20their%20parts.%20St.%20Vincent%20de%20Paul%20estimates%20their%20annual%20garbage%20bill%20at%20over%20%2460%2C000%20because%20of%20unsellable%20items%20that%20include%20things%20like%20shirts%20with%20stains%20or%20broken%20zippers%20or%20puzzles%20with%20missing%20pieces.%20Hint%3A%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Ftinybeans.com%2Fseattle%2Fsustainable-ideas-seattle-families%2Fslide%2F1%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3ELocal%20subscription%20service%2C%20Ridwell%3C%2Fa%3E%20is%20a%20great%20place%20to%20threadcycle%20non-wearable%20clothing.%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2.%20Don’t%20donate%20toys%20or%20items%20that%20have%20been%20recalled.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Those%20drop-side%20cribs%20are%20a%20no-no%2C%20even%20if%20it%20was%20a%20gorgeous%20family%20heirloom%20that%20all%20your%20kiddos%20slept%20safely%20in.%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E3.%20Put%20fresh%20batteries%20in%20automated%20toys.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Or%20include%20a%20new%20pack%20of%20batteries%20with%20your%20donation.%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E4.%20Sort%20your%20donations.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Though%20it%20isn’t%20a%20requirement%2C%20it%20really%20helps%20the%20donation%20stations%20process%20donations%20when%20items%20are%20pre-sorted.%20For%20an%20example%2C%20place%20all%20clothing%20in%20one%20bag%20and%20shoes%20in%20another.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E5.%20Double%20check%20on%20questionable%20items.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Plush%20animals%20are%20frequently%20not%20accepted%20due%20to%20allergens.%20Big-ticket%20items%20like%20play%20furniture%20or%20outdoor%20play%20equipment%20may%20not%20be%20accepted%20as%20many%20organizations%20don’t%20have%20room%20to%20store%20these%20biggies%2C%20so%20you%20might%20want%20to%20give%20your%20local%20organization%20a%20call%20before%20you%20haul%20it%20over%20there.%20(Don’t%20stress!%20We%20have%20some%20options%20below%20for%20such%20cases.)%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E6.%20Don’t%20forget%20to%20ask%20for%20a%20receipt.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Most%20places%20will%20give%20you%20a%20tax%20deduction%20for%20your%20donation%2C%20so%20ask%20for%20a%20receipt!%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
—Jeffrey Totey, Kristina Moy & Katie Gruver
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