SO, you want to give STUFF away?

I compiled a database on hard to donate items for you. This list includes local as well as national and international donation sites for stuff you want to give away: computers, appliances, medical gear, Pandemic gear, hearing aids, musical instruments, books, shoes, cell phones, bridal gowns, and prom dresses!

We KNOW we can give select pieces of furniture to thrift stores in our community. Among my favs:

• Catholic Charities
• Destined for Grace
• Unity Shoppe

But where do you give away all those running shoes you bought as the Pandemic gained speed? You thought you’d run every day, but really haven’t, much. Where do you give the old laptop computer now that you ordered a new one for your home office? How about those guitars your husband saved for 25 years, that you found cleaning out the garage this past Sunday?

I’m not taking this donation thing lightly

In this a moment we must step up and take care of each other.

I know you went through your books, and if you didn’t placed them in the little Library box on your street, I offer you another great suggestion. Classify your type of book, perhaps you love sci-fi, and send an email to BooksForSoldiers.com. They will match you with a service member with similar literary tastes. What about those paperbacks you devoured this past eight months? Try operationpaperback.org.

I found a great article in AARP The Magazine offering great tips:

What about working hearing aids, they write? Try the Starkey Hearing Foundation or Hearing Charities of America. I know as far as eyeglasses and hearing aids, our local Lion’s Club might place those too.

We sadly lost our Habitat for Humanity in Goleta, but St Vincent de Paul of Ventura County tells me they DO accept appliances in their county, call (800) 974-3571. They also pick up fridges and microwaves, freezers, and vacuums.

Donations of technology related objects

Used laptops can go to globetops.com, and computers and OTHER tech can be placed with local charities through the National Cristina Foundation.

What about medical stuff?

When I had an operation that limited walking, I found donated wheelchairs, canes, crutches, walkers, potties, and all kind of helpful home aids at VNA’s Loan Closet on Olive Street in Santa Barbara. Call them at 805.690.6235 to make an appointment for a donation. They are extremely helpful.

IF you have spare unopened masks, gloves, face shields, protective gear, try Cottage Hospital’s Drop Off location on South Patterson in Goleta. The fabulous world-famous Direct Relief Foundation made a donation call out for medical supplies; for info call 805 964 4767.

Two more organization AARP suggests are for worldwide donations of medical gear. Project Care and Advocates for World Health accepts medical gear for worldwide use. For medical gear you want used overseas, try Med-Eq.

Remember I teased you about your husband’s guitars?

I have one John never uses and that might go, if I can sneak it out, to Guitars 4 Vets for music-making veterans in need. For other instruments, try Hungry for Music. AARP says they take instruments in almost any condition.

Now you have ordered the new iPhone

Give the old one, once you wipe it clean, to Cell Phones for Soldiers used to fund calls to service people overseas. AARP lists Medi Mobile as a great place to donate those phones because they need phones to support heath care in 26 countries.

My niece just married in a church wedding

Although the audience comprised of 15 people, social distanced and all wearing masks, she looked gorgeous. She experienced quite a challenge shopping for her dress safely. Donate YOUR old gown to Brides Across America to make a future wife of a first responder or service member bride, look great. I don’t know if we’ll have prom soon again, but formal wear, ladies, can go to Becca’s Closet, says AARP.

We began our list with your pile of gently used running shoes:

Try Soles4Souls, a worldwide organization. Also, if you have any kind of athletic shoes (my son had size 14’s), try oneworldrunning.com, as they give shoes to athletes around the world.

If you have spent this past weekend clearing out a part of your house, I hope this list will be helpful to you! Thanks to the article found in October/November issues of AARP The Magazine for the inspiration and select sites used in this article.