Cradles to Crayons Donation Drive – A Mini Event

I’m starting with baby steps as I work on a living prototype of my concept. I’ve blogged and written in emails about the intent of the Declutter For Good Donation Weekends…You can read the details by clicking here.

This weekend’s event will be just one day (Sunday, Sept 21) and I’m not currently able to accept larger items.

I am however working to schedule a date in the spring with Cradles to Crayons for a full-blown event. So, if you see larger items listed on their needs list that you have, hang onto them until the spring or consider bringing them into the Giving Factory sometime. I think it would be a neat opportunity to see their volunteer-driven warehouse where they organize donations for delivery locally dependent on specific needs. They have established contacts at the local shelters and other service facilities, so it is a great way to get the items where needed without tying up anyone’s time (yours or those who you are seeking to help) with emails and phone calls. I’m planning to go there on Sept 27 with the women’s alumnae chapter and will take a camera along to share photos here after.

Regarding Sunday, read on for the complete list of Cradles to Crayons accepted items.

What We Accept:

Clothing: bottoms, tops, outerwear, pajamas, accessories.

Sizes 0-16. Socks and underwear must be new.

 

Shoes: sneakers, sandals, casual and dress shoes, boots.

Please attach matched pairs with rubber bands.

 

Books: board books, picture books, Easy Readers, coloring

books, chapter books. Books in Spanish and French are

important for families who speak English as a second

language. No explicitly commercial books, please.

 

Arts and crafts: beads and jewelry, clay and dough,craft kits,

painting, drawing/coloring, paper crafts, stamps, weaving/

knitting. All supplies must be new and unused.

 

School supplies: backpacks, calendars/planners/journals,

notebooks/binders/files, calculators, chalk/ erasers, drafting

supplies, maps/globes, rulers, staplers, scissors, writing

instruments and supplies. All supplies must be new and

unused.

 

Baby supplies: feeding, diapering, health and safety, toys,

nursery furniture/decorations, bedding. All feeding and

diapering supplies must be new and unused.

 

Equipment: infant and toddler car seats, pack ‘n plays,

swings, bouncy seats, safety gates, high chairs/booster seats,

changing tables, cribs/toddler beds/mattresses, excersaucers,

strollers. All equipment must be less than 5 years old (verify

by inspecting manufacturer’s date), in perfect working order,

with manufacturer’s instructions, and all hardware and

attachments. Package hardware and attachments in a Ziplock

bag and attach to equipment. If batteries are required for

operation, please discard old batteries and include new ones.

 

Toys: action figures, scientific and educational toys, bikes/

scooters, building sets/blocks/models, dolls, electronics,

musical toys, pretend play/dress up, puzzles, games, vehicles,

sports equipment. Toys should be cleaned, and contain all

pieces and instructions. We do not accept stuffed animals,

videos, computer games or violent toys. If batteries are

required for operation, please discard old batteries and

include new ones.

 

Hygiene: soap, shampoo, toothpaste & toothbrushes.

All supplies must be new and unused.

 

 

 

My focus is mainly on DeCluttering For Good (meaning forever at home and for the good of your own family and others in need!). You will note that some of the requested items must be new and unused. While my intent is not to have folks go and buy stuff, I certainly would be happy to accept such donations on behalf of Cradles to Crayons and deliver them along with the decluttered donations.

I am getting tax receipts from Cradles to Crayons so that your donations can be tax deductible.

Any questions? Post them here or email me… nancy.gallantATcomcastDOTnet