I would like to donate a present or two...how?

[Yanda]

I am in the habit of buying little things through the year thinking that I will find someone to give them to at Christmas. I have sorted out all my presents and I now have a few bits left over. At the risk of sounding up my own arse, I do realise that I am incredibly lucky to be in the position to have presents left with no home to go to and I would like to pass them on to children who would enjoy them. How can I go about this? I'm keen to not go through any religious organisations for my own personal reasons.

We had a collection at work for local children and ended up with way too much so they're going to Great Ormond Street. Sure they'd welcome some more

Dd's school had a Cjhristmas tree with tags wth different children's names and ages on from the Salvatiopn Army. I have seen similar in Asda. You pick a tag, buy a present and then leave it under the tree to be collected and passed on.

Is there anywhere local to you with such a tree?

Ah yes, Great Ormond Street is a good idea. I don't know of any tree like that around here islabdofsodor, not sure how to find one either?

I googled childrens homes in my area when I was having a clear out - why not see if there are any residential homes in your area or your local womens refuge.

Salvation Army are a religious organisation.

Try your local hospital ?

Thank you for the further suggestions am off to have a look.

Our local Tesco has a giving tree-it operates in the way mentioned by islandofsodor. It is done in conjunction with the local paper. I am sure that if you rang your local paper they could tell you of any schemes in your area.

Our local churches all do this every Christmas and donate them to local children's homes. Maybe your local church does the same and you could drop a gift in? It's always nice to donate for a teenage boy or girl I think as loads of people buy toys for the little ones.

please let me know if you find anything as I am in exactly the same position. get bits over the year and now realise I have too much and would like to pass them to children who arent as fortunate as mine rather than take them back to shop (even bought the sam ething twice!).

I know starbucks collect books but I havent seen anywher for toys.

Starbucks collect books? That is great as I have some books.

I checked for a local tree-it but it finished on Friday and it was through the Salvation Army, so not what I am looking for. Same with local churches.

yes I would rather a direct way too rather than through the christian orgs. Starbucks had the book collections going still last week when I was in one. I think, though am not sure, it is new books only.

Why is it wrong for a church to collect and distribute presents but not for a commercial organisation like Starbucks or Tesco to do so?

The Salvation Army are collecting toys for families. You can either drop them off at Superdrug who are doing collection points, or you can contact the Sally Army directly.

Oh, you just posted that the Sally Army was not what you were looking for - why? They give them out to local families, as they do in fact, all year round. They don't expect anything back in return, no sign ups to the church, they just do it because they are good people.

They also do a lot of work for homeless people and families too.

I didnt say it was wrong, I think it is good that they do it. Equally I think it is good that commercial companies make an effort in their local communities too (our starbucks does a youth evening for the local disaffected youth which has had a noticable positive impact). I dont think the recipients will care where they come from either. Personally, as I am not religious, my choice is to not to go via a church if possible as it makes me feel hypocritical. I don't use their services all year why only at christmas. Ultimately I will though if that is all that is available, just not my preference.

Our local radio station does a gift collection

It's got nothing to do with church though. Look at it as a bunch of people who want to help others, they just happen to be religious but they don't do it for those reasons.

There is nothing hypocritical about it. You are giving the gifts to these people who match them to a local family they know about and then deliver them - what's so hypocritical about that? Even if you don't believe, you can still support the good actions by some people for the benefit of others.

I was thinking more of the Christian Aid types who, in the past, have been somewhat pushy with me. I don't actually think I have any issues whatsoever with the Salvation Army. In actual fact, I was going to go down to Superdrug with mine tommorow as suggested. Clearly the S A dont have a problem working with commercial organisations either! It's Christmas, it's about the children (man!).

yanda if you are local to herts then check-out hertbeat.com whop are collecting presents to give to local needy kids(whether ill or disadvantaged in any way).

I think the Salvation Army are wonderful, they deal with people ignored by the rest of society.

And I like the singing too!

Oh now I'd pay for them NOT to sing! I hate brass band type thingies!

I don't have a problem with the existence of religious organisations who do this type of work, good on them. But it is my choice not to engage with religious organisations whatever they are doing. So its not that what I think that what they are doing is wrong and I'm certainly not setting up Tesco or Starbuck's actions as being better than any religious organisation, but that I would prefer to deal with a non-religious organisation. I don't really see what the problem is with that, as long as the end result is the same.

AFAIK lots of non-religious organisations do lots of good work for those who are disadvantaged in lots of ways through the year so there is no need for me to particularly go through a church or the salvation army.

Thank you for all the suggestions, will look into the ones that might work for me