Christmas Present Donations

pixo

Hello,

We like to do regular charity giving throughout the year, mainly to our local food banks and the likes.

We would love to donate a present or two to some kids for Christmas but after some googling I just can't find anything? My local shopping centre doesn't do the whole tree giving thing?

Does anyone know of anything nationally or local? I live in the West Midlands (Worcester).

Many Thanks

grumpygardener

pixo wrote: »

Hello,

We like to do regular charity giving throughout the year, mainly to our local food banks and the likes.

We would love to donate a present or two to some kids for Christmas but after some googling I just can't find anything? My local shopping centre doesn't do the whole tree giving thing?

Does anyone know of anything nationally or local? I live in the West Midlands (Worcester).

Many Thanks

You could try local churches. Our local methodist church collects and sends on to deserving and needy children. They won't / can't send on pre-used toys though, only new ones.

Taylorette

I believe Asda are holding a national collection for children's gifts. I donated some teddies and toys after my last weekly shop. There should be a "festive" donations trolley in the supermarket near the entrance - might be worth having a look in store or online?

kingfisherblue

My Rainbows and Brownies usually donate to the local Domestic Abuse unit. Some of the children there have had to leave their homes without time to pack.

In my area, the main housing association has a street of houses and flats where families who have had to leave their homes can stay. They receive emotional support, financial and benefits advice, and have a children's group to help them understand. Women and families are then moved into rented accommodation when appropriate.

The whereabouts of this street is not disclosed unless necessary.

If you do consider helping those who are victims of domestic abuse, ring your council. They can put you through to the right people. You might be able to drop the toys off at local council or housing association offices.

If you want to wrap the gifts, label each one with a number and write a list saying what is in each, to help staff distribute to an appropriate age group.

FWIW, I remember moving one morning back in the 1970s. We didn't have time to pack anything. My mum moved us in with a friend who took us in as lodgers. Each night my mum washed our knickers in the basin and held them in front of the fire to dry.

Savvy_Sue

Domestic abuse groups is a good suggestion, and they are one of the few situations where there may be a last-minute / unexpected need for toys, whereas for many other charities they know what they're likely to need in advance, and need to have what's needed well in advance.
You may be a bit late for this year: I know we try to identify what we're going to need well before the start of December, and need to have gifts with us in good time - one of our volunteers started preparing presents for our clients in November and we're nearly done. We're not in Worcester, and we don't need children's presents, but if we did, we'd have wanted them at the latest by the end of the first week in December.

Another group we work with no longer gives out actual presents for children, but gives £10 Argos vouchers which can only be spent on children's toys. Parents can choose what their child would like rather than having to accept whatever's given (generous though it may be), AND they no longer have the massive storage and organisation issues association with large numbers of toys!