Kids' Toys Kicked To The Curb...
Never has the saying "one man's trash is another man's treasure" been so evident before as it is today -- in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
I had actually been meaning to write about this for awhile, but now it rings true on a whole DIFFERENT level...
Kids' Toys Kicked To The Curb
When I see children's used toys piled up at the curb on garbage day, I can't help but wonder if there isn't SOME little boy or girl who wouldn't find SOME value in a used (maybe even broken) new plaything.
I know, I know... who wants broken toys? Or worse yet, what if a child got hurt using something that was defective?
True.
But what if they're just dirty from lack of attention?
What if they're just not being used anymore?
What if the previous pint-sized owner just got bored with it? Or outgrew it?
What if the "high-tech" parts are broken, but the item can still be played with?
Just remember:
- "Broken" doesn't always mean "hazardous to your health".
- Nor does it necessarily mean that the toy is non-functioning.
- Most used playthings can be washed and even disinfected.
- There's nothing wrong with hand-me-downs.
- What's "old" or "boring" to some might be "new" and "fun" to others.
Lazy? Spoiled? Or Just Too Much Stuff?
...In this day & age, it's probably all of the above.
Truth is, it doesn't really matter the reason an item is no longer being used... what matters is who might find some value in that item.
Yes, there are those people -- perhaps even the majority -- who only want new, clean, unused toys for their children. That is fair. (Especially for babies.)
But what about those who would appreciate any toys for their children? What about disadvantaged children? What about those who don't have any toys anymore... like those who've lived through hurricanes, tornadoes, and the like?
My point is... I think that far too many parents (especially those in some of the "wealthier" neighborhoods) are simply kicking stuff to the curb rather than passing it on to someone who might find some value in it.
Pass It, Or Trash It?
By the looks of the garbage piles in MY neighborhood, most parents simply don't want to fuss with finding a new home for old playthings.
Practically every garbage day I notice something that (at least from a distance) looks like it could bring a smile to another child's face. And I have to do everything in my power NOT to snatch it up and take it to some donation site. (If there was a sign that said "FREE!" I would feel more comfortable taking such items.)
I hope this post will open the eyes of at least one parent who typically tosses old playthings to the curb (to live out their days in tall heaps at the local landfill), to instead consider donating some of those items in the future.
Use your own judgment, but please do the right thing.
Places To Donate Used Toys
- Donation centers like Goodwill or the Salvation Army
- Day care facilities and pre-schools
- Churches and shelters
- Virtually any non-profit charity or community service organization
You could also...
- Offer it for free or cheap at a yardsale (yours or someone else's)
- Give it away for free through a program like Freecycle
- Save it for when friends or relatives visit your home.
- Put a sign that says "FREE!" next to any reusable items on your curb.
What Is Worthy Of A Donation?
For the most part, I say SO WHAT if toys have been used & abused by other children. Consider them "broken in"!
Can't you remember back when you were a child enjoying your Big Wheel with the wobbly back wheel that made it possible to only ride in small circles?
What about the baby doll with the lopsided hairdo, because you cut off one of her ponytails? (I did this... on the same day I cut off my own ponytail at the age of 4!) My little cousin still loved that doll.
What about the Easy-Bake-Oven that doesn't "work" anymore, but still makes a great prop for the kitchen in a child's playhouse?
Case In Point:
The night before garbage pick-up, here's what I spotted in front of one house in my neighborhood (left photo).
Then, the next morning I noticed a couple of the kids' toys were gone (right photo). I can only hope that someone who could use those items either took them for their own, or the owners reconsidered and chose to donate them for others to enjoy.
Pets Need Toys Too
And don't overlook the fact that some children's toys also make great playthings for pets. For example, a child's swimming pool would be welcomed by many for use as a doggie bathtub, or as a way to provide a large supply of water to dogs who spend their days outdoors.
The local animal shelters would welcome such things as old toys, shoes, blankets, newspaper, tennis balls, bowls, leashes, collars, etc.
RELATED:
You're never too big for Big Wheels... no really! They now make adult-sized big wheel "toys" for big boys. These adult Big Wheels can hold a 180-pound driver, thanks to twin steel axles and four rear wheels.
Here's an interesting read from someone who makes a habit of "rescuing" items from others' garbage piles. Check out "Confessions Of A Dumpster Diver".
UPDATES:
I forgot to mention that "curbside" is where we obtained our current weedwacker from! Yep, one of our neighbors had kicked it to the curb -- probably because it was leaking oil and had a touchy starter. Jim gave it a tune-up and we've been using it problem-free for over 2 4 years now.
We also got a great soccer ball from someone's trash can -- the dogs love it!
And my niece's favorite toy of all time is something I found at Goodwill for $1.50. It's a Leapfrog caterpillar that lights up, plays songs, moves when you pull it across the floor. Why it was probably sent to Goodwill: the batteries were dead.
Don't miss these great tips:
I recently brought a bag of gently used toys to a Goodwill drop-off location, and found that they no longer accept toy donations. How disappointing! I've done some search on the Internet for places to drop off used toys. Hardly any place takes them anymore. Even the family shelters would only take new toys.
ToySwap.com - You can swap, sell, or buy toys on this site. List a toy in 45 seconds. Your first swap is free.
Kelly,
AWESOME... Thanks so much for sharing those links!
http://www.parenthacks.com/2006/09/spread_the_word.html
check this out! Send used toys & stuffed animals to kids in Iraq!!!
http://www.stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org/
http://www.projectnightnight.org/
Thease organizations take stuffed animals!!!
I've been searching for a place that will take GENTLY used and nearly new toys. It's very hard to find. Christmas is coming up and I simply can't get rid of these toys. Nothing is broken and most of it is in brand new condition. I'm not a big fan of the Salvation army or Goodwill. I think some of their prices are ridiculous. I'd much rather give them to a shelter or someplace more direct. So until then, they'll be sitting piled up in the dinning room waiting for a home. I refuse to throw them away! Not when there's a child out there that could really enjoy it!
Here is an article with a bunch of ideas. Hope it helps! "Where To Donate Your Used Toys--New or Used"
http://www.jenniferswanson.com/e-zine-200801.htm
i dont know where i could donate toys i live in thousand oaks california. i dont want the toys to be sold though i just want them given to less fortunate children. toys are used but just barely they look new.
i have used toys and stuffed animals... they are in good condition.... where can i drop these toys and stuffed animals off so someone can enjoy them.
A and L's Mom--GOOD NEWS! I found after much searching (and, unfortunately, after some toys had already been thrown away) that a local church run daycare was willing to accept the items that I had originally tried to donate to large corporate charity organizations. I hope that you have a daycare in your area that is also willing to take these still good and gently-used toys! Good luck!
I'm right there with you, Upset Mom. As part of an effort to teach my 6 year old son a lesson in giving back, we went through all of his (and his two year old brother's) toys and I asked him to find 10 that he could give away. We talked about what kind of charities he'd like to give his toys to and he decided he wanted to give it to a children's hospital to sick children. Well, wouldn't you know, in the state of NY, many charities legally cannot accept used toys because of recalls and so on so there is NO local charity currently accepting toys. We are still searching for somewhere to donate these toys - things that were still played with until put in the box. I'm open for suggestions...
I agree with your comments BUT you need to consider that many, many of us have been throwing away toys because the donation centers won't take them. I just came AGAIN from our local Goodwill only to be told that the toys, the bouncey seats, etc. that we brought to the center would just be pitched. They wouldn't take them. I've had this problem with many charities. Certainly, if the toy is broken or on a recall list I would understand the concern, but these are perfectly good toys, etc. and the donation centers won't take them. So, before condemning parents for throwing away those toys, take a minute to consider that we likely don't want to, but are just frustrated by the charities that we are trying to donate the toys to continually turning these things away.
Toy Box Playthings takes donations of gently used kids toys/clothing/books. This a place where Families Help Families. www.toyboxplaythings.com
My neighbor is always throwing her son's toys away. I'd like to rescue them but she uses the garbage compactor and crushes them in the kitchen garbage so her kid won't rescue them. Once, she actually used her cowboy boot to crush a perfectly good little spaceship toy! Her kid cried and cried.
I loved your post I have all kinds of photos of children's toys kicked to the curb it would blow your mind
I can't agree with you more! And for the record, I do take things from piles and our neighborhood twice-yearly "dumpster days" collections to the thrift stores. It makes me ill to see nearly new items being trashed when I know people who have NOTHING in their homes!
Hi! Just came across your article about used toys being thrown away and I cannot agree with you more. I am trying to put together a Toy Library for poor children in southern Philippines and you cannot imagine what our children would give to be able to play with even broken toys in this part of the world. If I had a magic carpet, I'd come right over and bring them for the children here!
More power to you.