Where to donate toys?

brightning

Places like Salvation Army are no longer accepting them, from my understanding. (Too many fears about recalls, safety, etc.) So where do you donate toys? We're holding onto most of DD's toys for futurechild, but some I'd like to give away. They're used, so I can't give them to toys drives, which ask for new toys. TIA!

MrsHK

Toys for Tots

Thanks for the reminder. I needed to google and find a Toys for Tots drop off. Took me a lot of clicks to eventually get to a list for my area. I've had a hard time finding a place.

PaigeC1981

I always donate them to family/friends.  I also bring some to the nursery at our church.

MamaNikki

Yeah, Toys for Tots usual asks for new toys, don't they?  Hmmm...maybe a church?  Women's/children's shelter?  Daycare?

MrsHK

Whoops, didn't realize we were talking about used toys. In that case, yes I pass them around to friends, shelters and freecycle. Do you have a Yahoo freecycle group?

brightning

Thanks ladies. I've given a lot friends, but these ones aren't age appropriate for them. A friend has a foster child (but only for a few more weeks). Maybe her daycare will accept them?

JDB3358

I have given them to a local church in my area that helps single low-income moms.  Most churches get asked all the time to help people in the area, so your local church may know of a family in need. 

novemberweddin

i went through the same thing a little while ago. i called all local churches, women's shelters, salvation army, goodwill and NOBODY wanted anything unless it was new. i ended up dumping it all in a dumpster come to find out that my son's school/daycare would have taken them! you can check the daycares around you

JillAly

There is a place in NYC called babybuggy.com.  They take used toys and other stuff and hand it out to women/kids in need.  It was started by Jessica Seinfeld (Jerry's wife) for exactly that reason- no one wanted used toys and other stuff.  See if you have something like that in your area. 

If not, then I think shelters and daycares are good ideas.  I sold some stuff on craig's list and one woman owned an in-home daycare.  I ended up giving her a bunch of other stuff for free and I'm sure there are plenty of other people who would also want it for that reason.

mrshutch

brightning:

Thanks ladies. I've given a lot friends, but these ones aren't age appropriate for them. A friend has a foster child (but only for a few more weeks). Maybe her daycare will accept them?

Definitely check with local day cares, head starts, etc. Sometimes homeless shelters have special supplies/areas for children. I'm sure places would be interested in the donations if they're safe toys in decent condition. 

momofolivia

i also second the women's shelter.