Places to Donate Stuffed Animals in Chicago

Donate stuffed animals and help a child experiencing difficult experiences.

Donate stuffed animals to local organizations, shelters and emergency relief service locations in the Chicago area and help a distraught child. Many organizations accept and benefit from year-round donations as well as additional offerings following Thanksgiving due to the holidays. Call ahead for drop off sites and times as many of these places do not publicly disclose their locations except to clients or donors due to safety issues.

Children's Home + Aid

Children's Home + Aid offers a variety of services and assistance to families in crisis, battered women and their children. Established in 1883, this organization works hard to keep families together by offering classes in positive parenting. They also assist single parents who are having financial difficulties gain access to necessary clothing, food and school supplies as well as securing child care. Donations offered to Children's Home + Aid can be sent through the mail and the organization hosts various events throughout the year enabling new donors to meet the families. Christmas time in particular, is a period of high demand regarding donations.

Children's Home + Aid

5958 S. Marshfield Ave.

Chicago, IL 60636

773-918-8600

http://www.childrenshomeandaid.org/page.aspx?pid=247

SOS Children's Villages Illinois

SOS Children's Villages Illinois is a state-wide organization that accepts and appreciates stuffed animal donations for a variety of reasons. Established in 2004, Chicago Village is an urban community of numerous houses close to the downtown area. Among SOS's many helpful services and offerings are day care, a community center with computers, counseling and job skills advisement for adults as well as outdoor play areas for kids. Donations given to SOS are passed along to children facing challenging circumstances and obstacles in the neighborhood community.

SOS Children's Village Illinois

7600 S. Parnell

Chicago, IL 60620

773-783-0500

http://www.sosillinois.org/TheVillages/tabid/88/Default.aspx

Chapters

Spread out across the nation and operating in over 20 states, Chapters is an organization that offers a safe haven and support services to abused or troubled women and their children. Donated stuffed animals benefit kids from these families who are faced with challenging and frightening situations and need comforting. Go online to find contact information regarding donation drop-off locations. Stuffed animals are accepted year-round.

Chapters

http://www.stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org/Chapters.html

Chicago Fire Department

Numerous fire departments across the country accept stuffed animal donations year-round. These houses and firefighters prefer that animals be new or if gently used in very good condition. Check online, call Chicago's city general information line (311) or page through your local phone book for fire station addresses and contact information. Call ahead prior to stopping by and dropping off donations as a particular house may have just left for or returned from a fire and not able to accept visitors. Firefighters regularly carry stuffed animals with them in case a fire they respond to involves children. These animals provide comfort to their distressed recipients.

Chicago Fire Department

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cfd/dataset/fire_stations.html

References

• Childrens Home + Aid
• SOS Children's Villages Illinois: The Villages
• Chapters: Stuffed Animals for Emergencies

Resources

• Read this Article in UK English
• The Jeanine Sheridan Foundation
• Rapid City Journal: Retired Pilots Donate 1,000 Teddy Bears to Fire Department