Give what you don't need to those who need it most
Cell Phones to Women’s Shelters
The Wireless Foundation’s Call to Protect campaign (www.wirelessfoundation.org) outfits victims of domestic abuse with refurbished cell phones so they can call 911 in an emergency.
Through Verizon Wireless’s HopeLine (www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline), old phones and accessories are collected at all Verizon Wireless stores, then refurbished and sold. The money raised is either donated to domestic-violence shelters and relief programs or used to buy airtime and phones for victims.
For more ideas, check with CTIA-The Wireless, (www.recyclewirelessphones.com). The site lists the recycling and donation policies of most cellular phone companies.
Baby Items
Supplies for infants and children — from diapers (clean) to strollers — are highly sought after by charity-run thrift shops. Cribs and playpens should comply with all federal and voluntary safety standards. (See the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, www.cpsc.gov).
At Inkindex, an online exchange site (www.inkindex.com), just type in your area code to find out what’s on the wish lists of local nonprofits, then contact them directly to complete the deal. The website’s results are listed by topic so it’s easy to find a place for everything from old baby books to used clothing.
Contact a women’s shelter in your area to see if its clients could use your old items.
