With the holiday season approaching, I find myself in possession of a gift certificate to a clothing store that sells really cute baby layettes… and not in any need of clothing for my own family.
I’d like to purchase a matching layette with my certificate and donate it to a charity that gives Christmas presents to needy families. I’d like a charity that will not sell them and that is willing to keep the matching set intact. I think this excludes Goodwill and Salvation Army, but I could be wrong.
Does anyone have recommendations? Am I right to think that Toys For Tots really wants* toys*?
There’s certainly no shortage of needy kids and worthy charities. I donate to Toys For Tots because I know that every cent gets to a needy child. Not unlike others of course, there is no administrative overhead. It’s 100% volunteer administered.
We have a ‘‘Crisis Pregnancy Center’’ here. They support pregnant women doing their best to give them options other than abortion. Look for a similar program in your area.
Depending how much you want to spend, you could pick up a baby’s angel off an angel tree and make the layette part of the Christmas gift. There are usually angel trees in banks around here. You could buy the outfit, and put it together with some age-appropriate toys for a really nice gift.
That sounds very nice. I like to sew and would LOVE to include some handmade receiving blankets etc in the gift. Plus, you know, I always love buying toys.
I like the women’s shelter idea, too. I’ll investigate.
If you happen to be in S. Florida, I have some local charities that I can personally vouch for.
Failing that, and if you don’t do the suggestions above…you could go to a local church (possibly in a poor area) and ask them. The leadership at the church I volunteer with knows a lot about their congregation, and can usually place individual gifts with someone who will really appreciate it.
-D/a
