Listen to the Pgh Dreamer’s Pod: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meghan-greenwood/episodes/5-Unique-Items-to-Donate-e2i4l41

As spring weather can spark an urge to spring clean, you may find yourself with a number of household and personal items that you no longer need. We are all aware of the ability to donate food to local pantries and clothes to your local Goodwill, but there are also a host of other organizations that will accept your gently used or new items and put them to great use. Here are 5 unique items you can donate:

1. Jewelry. If you have loads of costume or fine jewelry, organizations will accept them for a number of reasons. Places like I Have Wings Breast Cancer Foundation resells the jewelry to raise money for their cause. Dress For Success uses the items to improve women’s confidence when entering the job search. And artistic organizations such as community art studios and American Art Therapy Association disassemble the jewelry and reuse it to make art.
2. Hair. Have a mop on top that won’t stop? Consider letting your locks grow longer than usual and then donating your ponytail to worthy causes such as Wigs for Kids, which accepts 12 inches minimum for children with cancer, alopecia, and other diseases; and Hair We Share which provides free wigs for women experiencing hair loss. A lot of local salons also provide hair donation services, so feel free to reach out to your favorite stylist!
3. Sports equipment. In order to combat the inequity between playing sports and not able to afford to play sports, organizations accept gently used equipment for children. Places like Leveling the Playing Field provide children the opportunity to get in the game, while organizations like Torrance Recycling specialize in reuse of baseball and tennis equipment.
4. Beauty products. Have a ton of unopened body butters? Shampoos and soaps galore? Donate these items to your local outreach, women’s shelters, nursing homes, or United Way. They are always in need of products for their benefactors.
5. Tools. Moving and downsizing your toolbelt? Or maybe home projects have decreased but the garage is overflowing? Donate gently used tools to organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Vietnam Veterans of America , where a lot of the items are resold and funds support people in need.