How to Donate Stuffed Animals in Skokie, Illinois

Consider donating your stuffed animals before throwing them out as they are timeless toys enjoyed by children of all ages.

Skokie, Illinois, is a suburb located near Chicago. It serviced by the Chicago transit system. Because it is so close to a large city, there are many options for donating items. Check your local listings for established charities and watch for advertisements in the newspaper as they regularly announce donation opportunities.

Things You'll Need

• Stuffed toys
• Newspaper
• Phone
• Yellow Pages

Instructions

1. Contact the Skokie hospital, Northshore University Health System. Often hospitals have an array of children's toys in the waiting areas, and donations are usually welcome. As people in hospitals are generally ill, make sure that any stuffed toys that you donate are clean and bug free. You may want to wash them in a washing machine or at the very least spray them with a non-toxic disinfectant.

   Northshore University Health System

   9600 Gross Point Road

   Skokie, IL 60076

   847-677-9600

2. Search the Yellow Pages for daycare centers. Daycare centers, especially in populated areas, are always looking for extra toys. Daycare centers can range from home-operated businesses to public daycare centers that are run by an individual or a group. Colleges and high schools also often have daycare centers.

3. Contact Salvation Army stores and homeless shelters. Often these places are looking for every type of donations as the need is usually greater than the supply. Goodwill stores are another location to donate toys such as stuffed animals. Goodwill and the Salvation Army will usually offer tax right-offs for donations and will resell the toys at low prices.

   Salvation Army

   4335 Oakton Street

   Skokie, IL 60076

   847- 983-8197

4. Look on bulletin boards at your local grocery store, library, or coffee shop. Charity drives are generally announced far in advance in the form of fliers. Charity drives can be held in any number of places, and children's toys are often accepted.

5. Call you local American Red Cross. The Red Cross sends donations of every kind all over the world to people in need. Stuffed toys are no exception, as they are lightweight and are easily packaged for shipping. Especially in disaster areas, toys are welcome as people often lose the majority of their belongings.

   American Red Cross of Greater Chicago

   2200 W. Harrison

   Chicago, IL 60612

   312-729-6100

References

• The Village of Skokie: History of Skokie

Resources

• The Salvation Army
• American Red Cross of Greater Chicago: Donate