Trash To Treasure

You've heard the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," right?  Chances are, your house is filled with stuff that you don't use.  The same stuff would be a welcomed gift for others.  So while you are doing yourself a favor and cleaning out your house, do someone else a favor and sort your donations according to those whom need your stuff the most.  Many charities specialize, and are quite efficient, in getting certain items to the people that really need them.  While it's a tad more work than throwing all your donations in one box and making one trip to the donation center.  Think of all the good karma you'll get for going the extra distance.  Plus, most (although not all) donations are tax deductible.

The list below is not intended to be a complete list of donation sites, only a sample of organizations that may take your goods.

What:  Baby Items
Who wants them:  Baby's Bounty, Room to Grow, Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Loved Twice, Baby Buggy, Emergency Infant Services.
Many charities that deal with baby items are very careful with the items that they accept.  Certain used baby items cannot be accepted (car seats, bottles, teethers, etc.), so contact the charity before you donate.

What:  Books
Who wants them:  Libraries, Books for Soldiers, Books for Africa, Books to Prisoners, Discover Books, Better World Books, Spread the Word Nevada, Book Ends.

What:  Business Attire/Suits
Who wants them:  Dress For Success, The Women's Alliance, Career Gear.

What:  CDs
Who wants them:  Musicians On Call, tunes 4 the troops.

What:  Cell Phones
Who wants them:  HopeLine, 911 Cell Phone Bank, Cell Phones for Soldiers, Recycle 4 Charity.

What:  Clothes
Who wants them:  Clothes 4 Souls.

What:  Computers and Electronics
Who wants them:  World Computer Exchange, iOS Device Recycling Program, Computer Recycling Center.

What:  Craft Material
Who wants them:  The Gray Matters Foundation, Made4Aid, Inklude Studio, ArtBridge Houston, Children's Healing Art Project, Knots of Love.

What:  DVDs
Who wants them:  Kidflicks, CauseUSA, DVDs4Vets.

What:  Eyeglasses
Who wants them:  Lions Club, New Eyes, One Sight, Replacemycontacts.com.

What:  Musical Instruments
Who wants them:  Education Through Music, Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, Operation Happy Note, Marching Mountains, Empty Vessel Music.


What:  Pillows
Who wants them:  Animal shelters


What:  Prom and Wedding Dresses
Who wants them:  Donate My Dress, Brides Across America, The Cinderella Project.

What:  School Supplies
Who wants them:  Swap4Schools, Donors Choose.

What:  Sewing Machines
Who wants them:  Bikes For the World.

What:  Shoes
Who wants them:  Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe, One World Running, Soles4Souls.

What:  Sports Equipment
Who wants them:  Bikes For the World, Opportunity Through Baseball.

What:  Stuffed Animals
Who wants them:  Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE), Loving Hugs, Project Smile.

What:  Toner Cartridges 
Who wants them:  Recycle 4 Charity.

What:  Travel-size Toiletries
Who wants them:  Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, women's shelters, homeless shelters.

What:  Video Games
Who wants them:  Get Well Gamers, CauseUSA.