My wonderful daughter has decided to pare down her overload of stuffed animals. She wanted to donate them to Children's Mercy, but they can only accept brand new items (understandably). These are all like-new. Most are either Build-A-Bear or Webkins. She's even giving up her 2 American Girl dolls. She's also donating clothing for these items. Can any of you recommend a good charitable organization that would put all of this to good use? We're not really interested in an organization that would sell these for profit, but rather would dole these out to children in need, or who are in crisis. Thanks very much.
what about those christmas gift organizations? I think alot of them accept gently used toys
How about donate them to the Fun-Run business? They don't sell the toys. All of their rooms have been done up as "GREEN" as possible recycling used food boxes for the grocery store, using used medical equipment for the doctors office playroom they have. I forgot, they have a room that is like a pet store. The stuffed animals would be great. They also have a toddler room that they might want stuffed animals in and the room that is a playhouse would be good too. This couple has put everything they have into starting this business. I'm sure they would appreciate any help they could get.
Maybe a crisis nursery or shelter for battered women/children? I don't know what you have in KC, but you might try contacting DFS...? Maybe even DFS themselves (for children going into foster care???)
Synergy in Parkville is a domestic violence shelter. The women and children there sometimes only get out with the clothes on their backs - any donations I'm sure would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Kim,
Shriners Childrens Hospital in St.Louis would be a great place to donate these items. I know they always give children stuffed animals or toys after they have a procedure done. They are a great organization and help family and children from all over the nation.
Children's Home Society - we give stuff to them all the time. They even pick up from your home. I don't have the number - they call us about once a month to see if we have anything. When I stopped by their facility to donate, I saw that they take care of some really really needy kids.
Also Epworth Center. They do great work with children.
the second week in november I believe it is, Stanly Steamer collects stuffed animals from anywhere they can get them, cleans them, then takes them downtown for "Santa" to give to underpriviledged children! I have been sending animals with them for about 8 years! Call them for drop off points or you can bring them to Marquette High School (in chesterfield where I teach) and we will get them sent off.
your daughter is doing a very nice thng!
CK
If you aren't able to find anywhere else, I would recommend donating them to a senior center. They really like hugging the stuffed animals or giving them to grandchildren that come by to visit. The activities/ recreation department will accept them and they will be used for Bingo prizes. I know it sounds a little unorthadox, but seniors really appreciate them.
One thing to check into is a local Battered Women and Childrens shelter. Most children that are there have had to leave everything behind in the middle of the night. Im sure they would be happy to take them off your hands. I know that our Fire dept has a Toys for tots program every year for Christmas and also our Ambulance Service and Fire Dept take stuffed animals along on their trucks to comfort children who are involved in an accident or fire. Hope these ideas are helpful.
I don't know of any cheritable organizations, but we give our stuffed animals to the Police Department.
When a child has to be removed from their home & they have to leave with only the clothes they are wearing the Police give the child a stuffed animal. Some of these kids are removed because they live in a Meth house & the house has to be destroyed with everything in it. The stuffed animal that the Police give them is their only possesion. I'm not sure if the Fire Department has the same type of program or if the stuffed animals have to be new. Call your Police & Fire Departments to see if they have this program.
It is a beautiful thing she is doing to help children in need!
God Bless!
I would try Hope House its a Family abuse center. Quite often the mothers and children have had to leave a bad situation with only the clothes they are wearing, and the kids could use a cuddle toy.
I have someone else who has stuffed animals to donate also. She wants to send them with my husband who is leaving for Iraq. I'm checking into that... Let me know if you are interested in donating to the Iraqi children.
Thank you!
Good Morning Kim. What a Wonderful daughter you have. That is so awesome!! Have you checked with pregnancy crisis centers? or Children's homes? Toy's for Tot's? Not sure if TT's take nearly new toys though. Never hurts to ask. At Christmas time you could take several of the Angel tree cards and wrap the toys up to give. Some little girl would love them new or not.
Call your local fire or police department's or station close by, since some give Bears to children in accidents to help calm them. See if they would be interested in using some of them.
Just a few things that popped into my mind.
Give your little girl ( young lady ) a Big Hug for me, she is an amazing child.
God Bless you and yours daily
Karen Nana of 5
Kim,
I would try a battered womans shelter in your area!! The little girls there I am sure would think it is christmas to recieve such nice dolls and stuffed animals.
Susan
If you come to the Wichita area or would care to box them up and send them, the Wichita Children's Home accepts donations of gently used stuffed animals, dolls, etc. We have taken several of my children's there. They are an emergency children's shelter for kids who have been abandoned or taken out of their homes for their own safety, or other legal reasons. The animals are given to children when they arrive to help calm them. There is likely a similar organization in the KC area to which your daughter could donate her gently loved toys.
A couple options: first, find a local homeless shelter in which to give them. Secondly, talk to your local police department or army recruiting office; they can direct you to a women's shelter in the area, or to a social worker who might need them. Some places have a program either through the police department or through a social worker that gives gently used toys and clothes to children who, for whatever reason, may have to be pulled out of the house (i.e. a child from a drug addicts house where they would have to get rid of all the stuffed animals or clothes that came with the child due to the drug smoke being on the items).
What a sweetheart of a daughter you must have.
I have a friend who is donating hers to an adoption center. Maybe look into that.
Check out www.annieshope.org -- they are a bereavement center for children. They offer many services throughout the STL area and I would imagine they would love the animals and dolls.
Check to see if you have a local women's shelter. They are usually seeking toys for the children that come there.