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Stuffed animals -

SAFE (Stuffed Animals for Emergencies) collect stuffed animals (as well as blankets and children's books), which are used by emergency services.

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Gaming equipment -

Get Well Gamers donates games and consoles to children's hospitals and healthcare centers across the UK.

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Bras -

The Bra Recyclers are a social enterprise that collect used bras and donate them to women's shelters.

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Books -

Local libraries may take books if they're in good condition. Also, there are a few programs, especially in the US, where you can donate books to prison inmates and soldiers.

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CDs -

Kid Flicks takes donations of CDs and DVDs to create movie and music libraries for children in hospitals.

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Shoes -

Since 1986, American organization One World Running has been collecting and donating new and like-new sneakers and sending them to people who need them overseas.

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Instruments -

Instruments will always find a home, but if you want to donate high-quality musical instruments to deserving, under-funded music programs, try Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.

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Glasses -

New Eyes is one of many charities that accept old sunglasses and prescription glasses and donate them to people in developing countries who need them.

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Clothes -

Don't throw your clothes in the bin if they could help someone. There are virtually endless charities that accept donations. Dress for Success, for instance, provides work-appropriate clothes and career support to women around the world.

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Bikes -

Bikes for the World collects bikes and bike equipment and provides it, as well as education, to select bike shops around the world.

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Old desktops and laptops -

Restart in the UK allows people to gift their old computers to individuals in need of one.

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Crutches and other reusable medical supplies -

The American Medical Resource Foundation collects and gives these items to charitable hospitals and medical clinics.

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Old or foreign coins or bills -

UNICEF takes these donations as part of its Change for Good program.

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Cell phones -

Cell Phones For Soldiers is one of the many organizations that accept donations of old cell phones and tablets.

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Airline miles -

The Make A Wish Foundation accepts donated airline miles, which they, in turn, give to terminally ill children and their families.

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Old furniture and mattresses -

Mattresses are welcome at the Salvation Army and Goodwill chapters, and furniture is welcome at the National Resource Defense Council.

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Yarn -

The Knitting Connection accepts yarn, which is used by a network of volunteer knitters, crocheters, and quilters to make valuable products for people who need them.

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Beads -

Beads of Courage send art supplies to children with serious illnesses.

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Wedding dresses -

Brides Across America provide second-hand gowns and bridal attire to military wives-to-be in need.

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Postal stamps -

Stamps, stationery, and stickers are just some of the things the Gray Matters Foundation gifts to tumor survivors and their families.

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Halloween costumes -

You can donate your old Halloween costumes to Goodwill. They will usually find a home for them from September onwards.

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Old wires -

Goodwill of Northern New England takes the wires, which they can recycle or extract the copper from.

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Coffee mugs -

Most thrift stores will be delighted to take coffee mugs as long as they've been bleached clean.

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Clothes hangers -

Charity shops will usually be delighted to take unwanted clothes hangers off your hands because they're usually jam-packed with stock.

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A single shoe -

The National Odd Shoe Exchange accepts single shoes for people who need them for medical reasons, and other organizations help pair them for donation.

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Towels and blankets -

Millions of people around the world require warmth every night. Towels and blankets are accepted by many organizations, including the ASPCA and the Humane Society.

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Dentures -

These old dentures are recyclable. If you give them to your dentist, they can give them to a company that will make use of their materials.

Sources: (Reader's Digest)

See also: Celebs who wore the same thing twice!

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