Children's Charities???

[Reggae Fish]

I go to Six Flags and Chuckee Cheese quite a bit with the kids and I am a carnie junkie!

I have about 50 giant stuffed animals and when I say giant, most are about 6ft.

From CEC I have a BUNCH of toys for boy and girls of all ages...I normally take them to families in Jamaica and because of that, I try to get toys that don't require batteries but I do have some that do...This year, we weren't able to take the toys with us...I think it's a very important life lesson for my kids to appreciate what they have and to always help others...I can donate them to things like "toys for tots" and things like that, however, I prefer to have my kids go out and give them to other kids personally...Obviously, when this is not possible, we simply donate them...Places like Children's Hospital are hard because of some of the isolation and it's not a place that is good for toys...Small stuffed animals work great for there but the large ones and toys are hard...I am looking for more people in need of things like this with xmas in July, August, etc...
I can't really seem to find any charities that can help us thoughout the year, just at xmas...

If anyone knows anyone or of any places, please post or send me a PM

Thanks,
Justin

 

[toungetwster]

Have you thought about your local church? Like the church we go too, many have "Kids Church", Sunday School, nursery's, etc. They are always looking for donations of most anything!

 

[caesura]

Have you thought about orphanages or special needs kids?

http://www.stlgs.org/DBinstitutionsOrphanagesStLOrphanages.htm
http://www.catchafallingstar.org/

 

[Dert42]

just a note:
hospitals don't like getting stuffed animals for the children.
they are difficult to clean and can easily spread diesease and germs.
they will usually throw them away.
they prefer toys that can be cleaned very easily.

 

[Shooter7]

As someone who is an employee of one of the local children's medical facilities, I can echo what Dert's saying. Best thing to do if you're wanting to donate to a kids' hospital is to call and inquire about what might be a good thing to bring. Also, I have seen people frequently come in with donations and kind of expecting to be able to hand them out to kids here personally and that just doesn't really happen much, if at all. Health and patient privacy concerns are the reasons. However, donations are greatly appreciated as some of these kids are here for very long periods of time and many have familys that can't afford much.

 

[Dert42]

my favorite charity:
http://www.childsplaycharity.org/index.php

 

[Reggae Fish]

Thanks!