Donations of Toys

I give lots of stuff to my local day care and they are very GLAD to get it! Also, does your church or a nearby have a nursery, children's room or MOPS meeting room? I have donated to those as well and they are much appreciated.

If you are in the Cranberry Twp/Mars area, on Rt 8 North of 228 is Glade Run Presbyterian. They are a charity that gets the right items to the folks that need them (no money is exchanged). They fall under some sort of Good Samaritan laws (since they don't "sell" their stuff) and so I was able to give them things others wouldn't take - bras, car seats, etc.! Call them at ###-###-####.

I have heard that womens shelters do. Also try adoption agencies, like the childrens home.

Surprising huh. Same thing happened to me. I have bins of gently (if ever) used toys that are still quite popular (like Thomas trains) that I can't get rid of. I have ended up putting them on Craigslist. I never cared to make any money of them because I wanted them to go to someone in need but it is kind of fun now making a small profit.

Because of the new law that went into effect this past August, lots of charities/consignments/etc can no longer accept toys (if it can't be proven that they are lead-free). I second calling churches and women's shelters - if they can't use the toys, ask them if they know of anyone else.

For learning fun things in the area, have you looked into Christmas stuff? So far, we've been downtown to the ice rink and wintergarden, and done the free trolley rides. Next month we have: pics with dogs & Santa at Animal Friends, breakfast with Santa and Gateway clipper cruise with Santa. Also, search for RADical days and register to get an email when they publish their 2010 calendar - every September/December they list museums/events/etc that have free admission days. Good luck!

The Salvation Amy accepts toys to resell. Depending on what it is you could try preschools or daycares. Other nonconventional places that have a need for toys (whether they realize it or not :-) car dealership's service waiting rooms and funeral homes.