The Top Five Things You Should Donate This Spring

Simplify your Life by Donating to Goodwill

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Springpresents the perfect time to take a fresh look at the items in yourhome and decide what should stay and what should go. As you de-clutter your home, Goodwill Industries(R) can put your unwanteditems to good use. When you donate your gently used clothing,housewares and electronics, you are helping Goodwill(R) provide jobtraining, education programs and community-based services to peoplein local communities every year.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090716/DC47803LOGO)

Here are the top five things that people don't think to donate.

1. Computers: Through a partnership with Dell, many Goodwilllocations now accept computers to be recycled for free, regardlessof whether they are in working condition. You can also pack up anold laptop or netbook as well as accessories such as mice andprinters and donate them to Goodwill. Through the Dell Reconnectprogram, Goodwill and Dell offer consumers a way to dispose ofcomputers and accessories in an environmentally responsible waywhile receiving a tax deduction at the same time. Visit http://reconnectpartnership.com to learn more.

2. Cell phones: It's time to dig out the old cell phones you havehidden away. If you've ever upgraded to a new cell phone, it'slikely you have an old one somewhere at home. Goodwill agencies areworking with partners to collect and recycle these phones and keepthem out of landfills.

3. Books: If you've already read a book and have no plans to readit again, donate it to Goodwill. Donating books frees valuable shelfspace and makes room for new ones. Check your children's rooms foroutgrown kid's books or your kitchen for cookbooks you haven'tconsulted in the last year.

4. Clothing: You can let go of the jeans that never quite fit orthat sweater that wasn't quite your style. Goodwill agencies gladlyaccept donations of gently used clothing. As you're cleaning outyour closet, put clothing donations in a pile and, when you'refinished, bring them to your nearest Goodwill donation center. Whenyou're finished going through your closet, that pile might be biggerthan you bargained for!

5. Housewares: Sometimes we inherit household items from othersor receive them as gifts. If you have a second toaster, vacuumcleaner or blender that you don't need, donate it to Goodwill.

More than 66 million donors have given their gently used items toGoodwill, helping their neighbors build careers and make positivecontributions to their communities. Last year, Goodwill served morethan 2 million people; including people with disabilities, those wholack education or work experience and others facing challenges tofinding employment. Goodwill also started the Donate Movement tohighlight the positive effects donating has on both people and theplanet.

One expert who knows all about the process of de-cluttering isLorie Marrero, Certified Professional Organizer(R), contributor toGood Housekeeping and spokesperson for Goodwill's Donate Movement.She is also the author of The Clutter Diet: The Skinny on OrganizingYour Home and Taking Control of Your Life and the creator ofClutterDiet.com, an innovative program that teaches people how toorganize their closets, businesses and homes. An organizing expert,Marrero has first-hand knowledge about spring cleaning and theimportance of donating gently used items to environmentallysustainable organizations such as Goodwill.

Please remember that not all Goodwill stores accept all items.Visit www.goodwill.org to find a local Goodwill store and determinewhat items are acceptable for donation.

About Goodwill Industries InternationalGoodwill IndustriesInternational is a network of 165 community-based agencies in theUnited States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries.Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable andrecognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social servicesenterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwilloperates more than 2,500 retail stores and the first and onlynonprofit Internet auction site, shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwillagencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting withbusinesses and government to provide a wide range of commercialservices, including packaging and assembly, food servicepreparation, and document imaging and shredding. Goodwill channels83 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator atwww.goodwill.org, or call (800) 741-0186. Twitter: @GoodwillIntl.Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International