Hi Ladies,
I have three wonderful boys. The only problem I currently have is that they have accumulated an enormous amount of stuff! I really am feeling overwhelmed every time I go downstairs to the basement as it appears an earthquake's epicenter is located between the stairs and the toy bins....I can't walk and the clutter is creeping onto the main floor as well. I am truly embarrassed that I have let my house get so overrun with too many toys and the like. I once had a relatively organized house. But now it is out of hand!
To their credit, the boys do put most of their toys up...when they can find a place for them that is.
My question is what do I do about all of the mess? The toys are mostly gifts from out large extended family (many of whom have no kids and feel they need to spoil mine). I have put out an official "NO more toys notice" to all offending parties with the warning if they bring one into the house they must take at least two home in return for breaking the no new toys policy.
This has at least slowed down the flow of incoming toys, but has done little to solve the clutter problem. I feel bad tossing perfectly good toys. I have had a garage sale to try to entice to boys by letting them keep the profits of their own sales, but did not have as much of a reduction as I had hoped for. I would donate them to our church; however they only take clothing, no household items or toys.
Do any of you ladies know a rescue group that will take the items and get them to people that truly need them? How about an organization that has a playroom? I am reluctant to just give them to a big name donation spot; because I never know that it will get to needy kids or to parents that could use them. Any suggestions would be wonderful.
Thanks ~ L.
Hi L.,
A friend of mine has just told me about www.nearlynewconsignment.com
Click on their web page it explains everything
Hope this helps
C.
I would go to consignment shops, I buy a lot of my sons toys there. Try Once upon a Child, they have several in the area. I go to a local store in Dearborn called Sweet Pea on Monroe street. That way you can get rid of the toys and make some extra money. good luck
Hi L.,
My advice is your local Freecycle group. Times are tough everywhere and often I've seen toys go very quickly when posted there.
You can find "Western Wayne Freecycle" through Yahoo Groups. You'll have to join the group to be able to post. That's how I occasionally weed out my sons toys.
My other option is a daycare center. With budgets being low for everything, daycare providers are always looking for ways to stimulate their children. I have given multiple bags of toys to my son's daycare and every once in a while I hear "The X class are really enjoying their new toys! Thank you!"
It makes me feel good to know someone is getting use out of them every day there.
Hope this helps!
M.
Hi L.,
I used to feel the same way about donating to large organizations, but I know that the Salvation Army sells the items in their shops to use the money where its needed most. Whether its sheltering and feeding the homeless and needy or helping and being on the spot with food, coffee, blankets and comfort during fires and other dire circumstances.
The Salvation Army does a tremendoes amount of good and you should never hesitate to donate items to this wonderful organization.
I believe most of them, including Purple Heart and Goodwill do the same, it's just that I know more about the Salvation Army.
L.
Hi L.,
As a former foster parent for 15 years, I have seen the children come into care without anything. I have literally taken them to shoe stores with bare feet. Some children don't even know how to play with toys. Maybe you could be a buddy to a foster parent as we were always in need of more clothes and toys. Foster parents are volunteers. When the children go home or are adopted, we send everything with them. Then, the next ones come with nothing again. I would get in touch with a foster care agency or Goodfellows. Goodfellows collect things for Christmas for low income families that are struggling. You may have heard of "No child without a Christmas". Right now, in Michigan, I bet there are alot of families that can't provide ANY extras.
T.
I let my kids pick out some toys they don't play with anymore and put them in a big box and we take them to the salvation army down the street. Its great! I love the feeling of a clean organized basement and we started doing this with our kids at a very young age so they are used to it and don't have any problems loading up old toys, of course I explained to them they'd be doing a good thing by giving them up to people that need them more than they do. Good Luck!
I would suggest a local daycare or preschool. I have recently donated several items to the daycare my children attend and they were very grateful. Daycares can always use books and new toys as they get trashed quickly from every day use.
Good Luck!
Hi L., I would post them in "lots" under free stuff on Craigslist Ann Arbor. People will come and get them. Maybe if you did it by age group and took a picture of each lot then posted it that way, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would be very happy to come and get those. Another thing you could try is mom2mom sales. Also, there are domestic violence shelters that could definately use them. I know there is one that St. Joseph hospital runs and many others through out the community, I bet they could REALLY use them.
Along with the preschools you may want to call a childrens hospital or childrens doctor offices.Even local churches may have programs that send toys overseas.
Hi have your heard of Freecycle.com. you put the post and people respond for who wants it. Well this week, my son had an over abundance of clothes so we put a post I left and came back to a ton of people. Many with stories that would break your heart. I actually had my son read each post and pick who he felt was the most touched by. He feels good about it and I feel good with his choice it feels great to help someone else out.
Hello my boys are in need of toys this year I have nothing to give I am a single parent of two boys and we left nyc leaving an abusive realtionship behind and this year I am ashamed to say I have nothing just bearly keeping food on the table if you can pass some toys our way I thank you my # 4123 irvington drive charlotte north carolina 28205
Homeless shelters, escape houses.
Been there done that. You might want to get a few Sterlite containers. But see what the kids have grown out of and what they're currently paying attention to. If you have a storage facility, like a shed, put the containers of toys out in it until you have a place to unload them.
When I need to get rid of stuff I post on freecycle.com. Hope this helps. :-)
If you know of anyone that does a daycare out of their home they may take some. I know I give my stuff to my daycare lady. Or maybe a preschool. Maybe someone else will know of actual names of places. Good luck :)
I would suggest also checking with your local pre-schools in the district. THey are always looking for toys. Also there are several special ed programs in the Livonia district. They are too always in need of various toys for the kids.
If you want that info you can email me & I can provide you specific names of the schools.
Thanks,
M.
Do you have a Once Upon a Child or Children's Orchard nearby? They will buy gently used toys......
Rent a table at a local Mom2Mom Sale. It is a indoor garage sale, but the clientle is strictly looking for kid items. I have been to many a Mom2Mom Sale where there has been a table of toys only.
If that is not a route you would like to try, Purple Heart will pick up donations at your house (they accept toys) and you will receive a tax donation slip. I also believe there are other organizations that will pick up at. Purple Heart sells the donations at Value Village/World and the proceeds from there are put towards programs for Veterans.
If the toys are in good condition, I think that a Women's Center might accept them for the kids who have had to flee an abusive situation with their Mothers. The majority of the time, they kids do not have the opportunity to take their toys with them and flee with the clothes that they are wearing.
In my boys' playroom, my husband sorted through all 200+ pounds of Legos (and is sorting the Bionicles and K'nex netx)and designed a center by using storage units from Ikea. They have a lot of different ways that you can store things with the majority of the storage being veritcal, which helps if the space is small and limited.
Be proud and praise the boys for picking up after themselves, as that is half the battle.
Hi L., My name is N.. I usually donate all of the old toys and clothes that are still in good condition to the salvation army. But if that isn't a place you want to donate you might think of a Womens shelter, they also have children there with the women and that might brighten some childs face to get a nice new toy. I am a Mary Kay consultant and I know a few consultants that acutally donate make up and skin care to the shelters so I don't see why they wouldn't except toys for the kids. Good luck and I hope I helped.
L.,
This is just a thought, but you can try daycares in your area. They really alot on the kindess of strangers.
I just donate a wagon to my nephews day care and they were thrilled.
Best of luck
C.
How about a safe house for those families escaping domestic violence. I know there is one of these in Ann Arbor that accepts clothes and toys, but there must be others around.
Catriona
