Got Stuff? Declutter & Help Others With These Sites….Or Shop If You Need More!

Spring cleaning and organizing can help you get rid of unwanted or unneeded clutter but what to do with all your “stuff”? Of course you can have a garage sale or donate those items to your local non-profit group or church but if you want your discards to benefit a more “specific” cause, here’s some great ways you can help others. These sites help children, military, teens, the elderly, and many others in need here in the United States and around the world.

Stuffed Animals –

When my son was younger, we always had way more stuffed animals than one child could possibly play with. If your child has more than they need or they’ve simply outgrown them, those stuffed animals can be donated to other children needing a “hug” in their life. Donations of new or “gently” used stuffed animals can be sent to www.lovinghugs.org which offers children in war zones, orphanages, refugee camps, and medical/hospital facilities around the world a cuddly new friend. The site is easy to navigate and there’s several different ways you can make your donations; by mail (easy to follow directions), in person (there are drop locations listed that might be in your area), or you can “buy” a new teddy bear or other cute animal to donate.

Wedding Gowns –

Some of us hold on to our wedding gowns in the hopes that our daughter might someday wear it, or just because it brings back happy memories. But if you’re ready to do something with it, you can donate it and help a military bride have a fabulous big day. Born on a realization that our country needs to do more to support our troops and their families, www.bridesacrossamerica.com accepts your wedding gown and then finds a deserving military bride-to-be find their dream dress and alleviate the financial stress of buying one.

Onesies –

Babies grow so fast, their onesies soon are outgrown. Newborns in Need, www.newbornsinneed.org accepts sleepers (among other items) for needy babies in the United States (premature, ill or impoverished) by passing on the items for a child’s first weeks of life to hospitals serving them.

Women’s Professional Attire –

If you have interview-appropriate clothing or shoes, www.dressforsuccess.org can use your gently-worn items. Dress for Success promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. In over 115 communities around the world, we actually have one here in Colorado Springs. You can go to their website to see if they are in your area.

Video Games –

This organization brings video game systems and games to children’s hospitals across the U.S. Video games are an effective and proven pain management tool and provide needed entertainment during long hospital stays. They accept the older, the newer or the brand new games, accessories and systems. www.getwellgamers.org

Athletic Shoes –

Started by a group of runners in Boulder, Colorado, this international program promotes an awareness of health, fitness and nutrition by providing running shoes to those in need in the U.S. and around the world. One World Running, www.oneworldrunning.com has various drop sites around the U.S. for your donations of new or “near-new” athletic shoes.

iPods –

iPods in working condition, as well as donated iTunes gift cards, brings personalized music into the lives of the elderly or infirm through digital music technology. Music and Memory www.musicandmemory.org enables those struggling with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive and physical challenges to reconnect with the world through music-triggered memories.

Prom Dresses –

This national network encourages girls to donate their prom and special occasion dresses to others who need them. Donate My Dress www.donatemydress.org not only helps others, but helps encourage that philanthropic side of our young women. Learn how you can donate or even hold a dress drive in your area by visiting their website. This would be a cool project for a local school to have.

Eyeglasses –

Can you imagine not being able to see because you can’t afford a pair of eyeglasses? It’s hard to imagine that something like sight isn’t available to some simply because they don’t have enough money. New Eyes empowers children and adults in the United States and overseas with the improved vision they need to pursue a better quality of life for themselves, their families and their communities. Learn how you can recycle your used eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc. by going to www.neweyesfortheneedy.org

Arts & Crafts –

Leftover supplies from knitting, painting, and sewing projects can help Doctors Without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org . When your donations are made to www.made4aid.org, other artists and crafters can purchase them, with the proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders. You can donate or buy.

A Little Bit Of Everything –

I love this site! At www.webthriftstore.com you can sell old clothes, electronics, gift cards and other items. The proceeds then go to a charity you choose (among the ones they support, which includes American Heart Association, classwish, biblicallife Ministries and the ASPCA among many). Not only can you donate, but you can shop too.  And the money you spend, in turn, goes to the charity you choose. The charity gets the money, the donor gets a tax receipt and the buyer gets a bargain. Win-win-win.
No matter what charity, passion, or cause you support, there’s a lot of choices to choose from. And of course if you don’t have anything to donate, they all always accept financial donations!