It is often easier to give up our possessions if we feel they are going to a worthwhile cause. Pick a cause that speaks to your heart!
Don't forget to get a receipt if you can claim the donation as a tax deduction. IRS guidelines
This is a work in progress. Send additions, updates, and/or corrections to donations @ organizingrx.com. Please understand that I do not collect or distribute donations or act as a go-between, I simply post information to allow donors to find donees.
Due to our location, the list has a preponderance of Ventura County donation sites. Use it to get ideas for your local area.
Use the links below to jump to the section you are interested in:
An Important Note from a Reader
Encourage folks to toss the junk copier and/or other unsafe equipment that they would not have their own employees use. I just got a call from a non-profit who is having health problems due to ozone emissions from older-model, donated copiers. Remember non-profits don't have the preventative maintenance dollars that larger companies have. On occasion, their employees can also be compromised healthwise. We don't need to contribute to the problem.
Airline miles
Make a difference in the lives of those in need by donating your miles to charitable causes. Donated miles allow aid workers to travel to devastated areas-like regions affected by the tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita-and survivors to travel out for medical treatment. To donate your United miles, visit www.united.com/charitymiles. Other airline frequent flyer programs and some hotel award programs also participate; check their websites' for info on how to donate.
Automobiles
Many Motors operates an auto donation program where donated vehicles are repaired to give them new life, then provided as work transportation to help low-income families transition off state aid and become self-sufficient. manymotors.org
Binoculars
The Latin America Committee of the Golden Gate Audubon Society collects binoculars to donate to local community environmental education programs in Panama and Mexico. Binoculars are repaired if necessary. Binoculars, working or not, may be mailed directly to: Latin America Committee, c/o Marshall Hasbrouck, 7725 Sterling Drive, Oakland, CA 94605.
Cat Supplies
Concerned People for Animals (CPA), needs kitten food, clay litter, cat furniture, pet toys and carriers. CPA's volunteers save stray and abandoned pets through its low-cost spay/neuter and adoption services (I adopted my two cats through CPA). To arrange a donation call (fastest response) Carel at 805-482-6587 or e-mail her at carela@juno.com. concernedpeopleforanimals.org
Cell Phones
Motorola, Inc., the Wireless Foundation, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence have joined forces to launch a nationwide program to collect unused cell phones, repair them if necessary, and distribute them, free of charge, to thousands of victims of domestic violence across America. Any brand of cellular or PCS phone, working or non-working, is welcome. Mail phones and all accessories to: Call to Protect, 1580 E. Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Include your name, address, and phone number and you will be mailed a donation announcement within 30 days. For more information visit www.wirelessfoundation.org.
The Coalition to End Family Violence will accept cell phones for the same purpose. Phones may be dropped off M-F from 8-5 at the office, 1030 N. Ventura Rd, Oxnard, CA 93030. 805-983-6014. They request only the cell phone and battery, no accessories (i.e. headsets, chargers, instruction books, or boxes).
The Camarillo Health Care District also accepts cell phone donations. No accessories, chargers, etc. Bring to 3639 E. Las Posas Road, Suite 117, Camarillo, CA 93010. For more information, call 805-388-1952 Ext 100.
PetSmart Charities accepts old cell phones and inkjet cartridges and turns them into cash to save homeless pets.
Sell your newer cell phone cellitused.com
Children's Toys & Clothes
Prototypes, a non-profit residential treatment center for women and their children who live with them, needs new or used books, toys, and clothes for the children. "We will take gently used stuffed animals, it is nice to have something cuddly for children when they first come in." Contact Vel Linden-Akseven vel_linden@yahoo.com. Prototypes phone number and address: 2150 N. Victoria, Oxnard, CA 93036, 805-382-6296
Computers & Printers
Recycled Goods Inc.
A terrific resource because they will take older computers and other electronics. Not a non-profit, but it helps keep your cast-offs out of a landfill.
"Recycling Surplus Technology for Business, Industry and You!"
www.recycledgoods.com 805-644-3100
Oxnard College Foundation
accepts computers and CD ROMS for the computers, to be distributed to needy students at the college. For info and to arrange pick-up, call 805-483-3787 and ask for Al Gesling.
Ink Printer Cartridges
PetSmart Charities accepts old inkjet cartridges and turns them into cash to save homeless pets.
Construction
vcmax.org
A free materials exchange service by the county of Ventura. List your left-over materials or search the available listings.
ReStore 805-981-2268
A building materials Thrift Store. Only materials in resale condition can be accepted. Proceeds from the sale of these items support Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County.
Clothing For welfare to work clients entering workforce, call Oxnard College.
Eyeglasses - including sunglasses
"Every usable pair is recycled and passed on to someone who needs them."
Del Norte Recycling Center [Oxnard, CA] 805-385-8059 Books, Videos & Audiotapes
Local Friends of the Library
Camarillo Library 805-482-1953
accept any kind of books, audio and videotapes including textbooks. No magazines except National Geographics. Donation box in library.
Oxnard Library 805-385-7500
Donation box in lobby
Ventura Friends of the Library 805-659-5103 all kinds of books accepted, but Reader's Digest condensed books and old textbooks do not sell well, with the exception of technical texts. No magazines, please. Sheet music ok. Drop off in the FOL bin at any library. If there are a large number of books, call above number and they will arrange for pick up.
Magazines
Ventura County Jail Inmate Programs 805-933-8563
accepts magazines and softcover books; National Geographics are popular with inmates
Nursing homes & hospitals
Garden Pots & Plastic
In Ventura, Harrison recycles plastic potting containers. Most nurseries will take them back and some even pay for them.
The Missouri Botanic Garden has a recycling program that your local botanic garden may emulate. Missouri Botanical Garden
Greeting cards
Boys Town does NOT take these any longer. Guns
You can turn over any firearm to your local law enforcement agency and the agency will destroy the weapon in a manner that is approved by law. There is no cost to you. Always call first to find out procedure; showing up in a police station with a gun unannounced is not a good practice. In Ventura, call the front desk at 339-4425 and the desk officer will assist you.
Horse Tack
Horse Rescue and Sanctuary needs usable tack and saddle donations. Call 805-641-0247.
Musical Instruments
Peace Through Music partners with school districts, communities, Boys and Girls Clubs, other nonprofits, and similar organizations. They obtain the resources necessary to provide the children in these programs with musical instruments and music education.
Donated instruments are quickly put in the hands of the children in Ventura County.
Records (turntable) and CD's
Buffalo Records in Ventura, CA buys used LP's and CD's
Medical Equipment
Direct Relief International in Santa Barbara www.directrelief.org
Reusable items like wheelchairs, sterilizers,incubators, crutches, hospital beds, and operating room tables are sent to hospitals and clinics in need throughout the world.
Popcorn Packing Material
Many small private mailbox stores will re-use packing popcorn, since they also offer packing services. I take the popcorn to them in the box in which it was mailed, and my local store recycles the box. A great way to help a local business reduce costs while keeping the popcorn out of the recycling stream for one more use.
Shoes
Rotary project
contact: Ed Colbert 805.386-8102
Shoes - well worn sneakers recycled to produce surfacing for tennis & basketball courts, playgrounds & tracks Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program has a mailing address or a spiffy map to help you locate a local drop-off site.
Gold Coast Recycling is a local drop off for this program, 5275 COLT ST, VENTURA, CA 93003 805.642.9236. There is also a public drop off box in Thousand Oaks at SE corner of Sears parking lot at corner of 145 W. Hillcrest and Moorpark Rd.
Office Equipment
vcmax.org
A free materials exchange service. List your discards or search the available listings.
Humane Society of Ventura County
kitten food, clean blankets and sheets for the animals in the shelter for shelter donations call: 805.646-6505 for Thrift Shop donations call: 805.648-2121 (will pick up donations) Catholic Charities
805-643-4694
personal hygiene products (including trial size), clothing and blankets
Cats Cradle Thrift Store
Need donations of household items, clothing, and decorations. Will pick up
Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence 805.654-8141
Items needed by the shelter residents or office: Personal hygiene products (including trial size), gently used home furnishings for the shelter, office furniture
Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Thrift Shop 805-643-4411
Items to be sold in the thrift shop; proceeds help support the organization. Call for pick-up.
ARC (Foundation for Retarded Citizens of Ventura County) 805-653-1413 or 800-228-1413
Especially need clothing of all types and sizes also baby items, shoes, bedding and draperies, housewares and glassware, small appliances and TVs, toys, games, bikes, usable small furniture, no desks (store cannot accommodate large furniture). Will pick up, including T.O.
Ventura County Rescue Mission 805.487-1234
only one man on truck Will not pick up desks. 6/00 Will p/u T.O.
Salvation Army Donation
Pick up 1-800-958-7825
Do not take metal desks 6/00
Back to the top
|