If you’re looking to get rid of those holiday gifts that didn’t fit quite right, aren’t really your style or you simply don’t need, try donating them to Goodwill. Goodwill will even take those gently used items that you are getting rid of to make room for those holiday gifts you are keeping.

   The winter season is typically a slow period for donations for Goodwill. “People simply don’t do ‘spring cleaning’ or venture out in the cold weather to drop off donations. As a result, Goodwill sees a drastic decline in donations over the winter months,” states, Mike McBride, executive director. It becomes a critical time for Goodwill and makes stocking the Goodwill retail stores to their full capacity difficult.

   The items that the community donates to Goodwill are sold in the eight local Goodwill stores in Boardman, Liberty, Struthers, Salem, Warren, Calcutta, Hermitage and New Castle. The revenue generated by the sale of merchandise in the stores is used to fund Goodwill’s job training and employment programs. Over 70% of Goodwill’s funding comes from store sales.

   “When considering donating an item to Goodwill, ask yourself if it is something you would give to someone else,” states McBride. If it is, then it is probably in good enough condition where it can be sold in one of Goodwill’s stores.

   Unfortunately, Goodwill gets some donations that are damaged, soiled or unsaleable. These items have to be trashed, resulting in a large trash bill for Goodwill. Last year, Goodwill’s trash bill was nearly $90,000. That is money that can used towards job training and employment programs that Goodwill offers to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

   A few things to remember when donating items:

Do:

·    Give to charities you know and trust. Note that fraudulent charities often modify the names of established groups.

·    Leave donations at sites with attendants on duty. Donations dropped off outside of business hours encourage theft.

·    Wash or dry-clean clothing.

·    Test electrical equipment and battery operated equipment.

·    Include all pieces of and parts to children's’ toys, games, etc.

·    Call Goodwill if you are unsure whether they accept a particular item.

Don’t:

·    Donate broken or soiled items.

·    Leave items unattended outside a donation center.

·    Give items that have been recalled, banned or do not meet current safety standards. For more information, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov).

   Donors interest in claiming tax dedications should keep itemized lists of their donations. The internal Revenue Service allows a deduction for each item, but the donor determines each item’s value. Generally, an items value should be based on fair market value –what the item would sell for in a thrift store. Goodwill provides receipts to donors at its drop-off sites, and attendants can validate itemized lists when they are presented. Although, the donation attendants are not able to put a monetary value on donation receipts. For general guidelines, visit www.goodwillpromo.org and www.irs.gov.

   Of course, in addition to material donations, Goodwill also accepts monetary donations to help support its programs. Financial donations can also serve as a tax write-off. To make a contribution, donors can send a check to Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, 2747 Belmont Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44505. To make a contribution with a credit card, or to find out more information about donating to Goodwill, call 330.759.7921.