Is there a way to donate clothes at WDW? UPDATE - RESULTS - GO TO LAST POST

[esdras]

My wife wanted me to ask this - and I have to admit it sounds like a good idea, I just don't remember reading about this anywhere.

We will be staying onsite at the end of the month, and my wife wondered if bringing summer clothes that our two kids won't be able to wear again next year - but are still in good condition now - could then be donated to charity at WDW.

It would help with two things - first, we like to donate children's clothing whenever possible (it's just a nice thing to do), and second, it frees up suitcase space on the return trip for any souvenirs we've picked up during the week.

So, can you donate it directly at WDW? Would one of the resorts contact a local charity that has trucks that do pickups for donations? Can it be done at all?

Thanks in advance for any replies or suggestions.

[a1tinkfans]

SOMEWHERE On these boards Lurks a post about a woman that brings charity clothes each year, but for the life of me, I do not know how to find it or where to find it.


HOPEFULLY someone will know, Good Luck!

[esdras]

Thanks - I've been trying to use the forum search function - donate, clothes, charity, etc. - as the keywords. Still haven't found the thread though.

Here's hoping someone will remember.

Thanks again!

[CJ]

Not to question your wonderful generosity at all, but I'm just curious why you wouldn't want to donate the clothing to your home town's Goodwill or other charity (I'm from Ontario too!:goodvibes )?

[kldmom2000]

Not to question your wonderful generosity at all, but I'm just curious why you wouldn't want to donate the clothing to your home town's Goodwill or other charity (I'm from Ontario too!:goodvibes )?

The OP is looking for souvenier space in the suitcases for the ride home I believe.....:thumbsup2

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks - I've been trying to use the forum search function - donate, clothes, charity, etc. - as the keywords. Still haven't found the thread though.

Here's hoping someone will remember.

Thanks again!Search has not worked on these boards for almost two years now. :badpc:

[esdras]

Not to question your wonderful generosity at all, but I'm just curious why you wouldn't want to donate the clothing to your home town's Goodwill or other charity (I'm from Ontario too!:goodvibes )?
That's what we usually do.

The OP is looking for souvenier space in the suitcases for the ride home I believe.....:thumbsup2
Yup, exactly for that reason. When my wife suggested it, I thought it was a pretty good idea actually.

Search has not worked on these boards for almost two years now. :badpc:
Yes, I'm beginning to really discover that.

[pooh2001]

Nice idea and gesture. Call WDW directly and ask. There may be a local church which accepts donations - or a box near DTD.

[BelleBeast]

They really should have a charity -

Where do all the lost and found clothes go?

Where does all the unopened food that people leave in their refrigerators at Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, etc...go?

[mom2taylorandemily]

They really should have a charity -

Where do all the lost and found clothes go?

Where does all the unopened food that people leave in their refrigerators at Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, etc...go?

Unfortunately, probably the trash.

[Cool-Beans]

You can take an empty or partially-filled suitcase to Disney. There is no rule saying that all checked baggage must be full.

I used to pack clothes in one and toiletries in the other. :)

Then you can donate at home, if nobody knows where a donation place in Orlando is.

[esdras]

You can take an empty or partially-filled suitcase to Disney. There is no rule saying that all checked baggage must be full.

If we were driving - we would probably do this. With all the recent additional fees for checked luggage and such - it isn't as easy to pack half suitcases only. It doesn't help that the suitcases that are easy to use (pull-handle type), by design have less room due to the handle, and weigh more than a suitcase of the same size that doesn't have a handle. It doesn't take a lot to get them up to the 50 lb. limit.

I'll fully admit, some of the stuff that "needs" to come along takes up space and weight that could be freed up. All the electronic gizmos - cameras, battery charger, etc. The three stuffed animals (for EACH of our two kids) that they absolutely WILL NOT go to sleep without. Breakfast foods - mainly cereal (since were in a Family Suite and can make use of the kitchenette).

We even use the ultimate packing guide from mousesavers and TRY to limit ourselves. But, probably like the last trip, I'll take a look at all we've packed and think - Geez, we're going for an 8 night vacation, we're not MOVING there!

If nobody has a concrete answer by sometime tomorrow, I'll use the previous suggestion about calling WDW for info on this. My guess is to call the resort we'll be at and ask for the conceirge desk - as they are often able to provide guests info on local services. Unless someone else can suggest a better place at WDW to call regarding this question.

Thanks again to all who have replied.

[123SA]

If we were driving - we would probably do this. With all the recent additional fees for checked luggage and such - it isn't as easy to pack half suitcases only. It doesn't help that the suitcases that are easy to use (pull-handle type), by design have less room due to the handle, and weigh more than a suitcase of the same size that doesn't have a handle. It doesn't take a lot to get them up to the 50 lb. limit.

I'll fully admit, some of the stuff that "needs" to come along takes up space and weight that could be freed up. All the electronic gizmos - cameras, battery charger, etc. The three stuffed animals (for EACH of our two kids) that they absolutely WILL NOT go to sleep without. Breakfast foods - mainly cereal (since were in a Family Suite and can make use of the kitchenette).

We even use the ultimate packing guide from mousesavers and TRY to limit ourselves. But, probably like the last trip, I'll take a look at all we've packed and think - Geez, we're going for an 8 night vacation, we're not MOVING there!

If nobody has a concrete answer by sometime tomorrow, I'll use the previous suggestion about calling WDW for info on this. My guess is to call the resort we'll be at and ask for the conceirge desk - as they are often able to provide guests info on local services. Unless someone else can suggest a better place at WDW to call regarding this question.

Thanks again to all who have replied.

:offtopic:
You could save some suitcase space by having your groceries delivered to your resort.

[KEVD]

I wonder if there is also a charity where you can bring leftover food and grocery items. We always stay in a Villa and I sickens me how much food and other items (laundry soap, hand soap paper towels, napkins) we leave behind. We hope the cleaning staff takes it home with them.

[PixieDust32]

Search has not worked on these boards for almost two years now. :badpc:

No wonder! :mad: :headache:

[IMGONNABE40!]

We have given our unopened food and beverages to bell staff when they come for our luggage and they have always been appreciative. Not sure they would want the clothing, however. Do you plan to launder it before donating it?

[Kurtoon]

I am sure that if the clothes are clean, they would be accepted at any local church.

[esdras]

We have given our unopened food and beverages to bell staff when they come for our luggage and they have always been appreciative. Not sure they would want the clothing, however. Do you plan to launder it before donating it?

Oh, absolutely!

It's only a week we are there, and mainly shorts and t-shirts of a 4 and 8 year old. It would easily fit in one load at one of the washing machines at ASMu. We figured on the last day (no park visits - and our flight doesn't leave until 3:30 pm) we would have time to swim at the resort until noon, and have the laundry going at the same time. We hoped we could drop it off as we leave.

The problem is, we are flying in and using DME - no car rental. I was hoping ASMu would allow an organization that does charity drive pickups to come to the resort to get the clothes.

Doing a little research of my own last night, I discovered that the Vietnam Veterans of America take clothing donations - and have a pickup service in Ocala and Orange counties. Perhaps that's an option.

[CJ]

I finally now understand what you plan to do! I thought you intended to bring EXTRA clothing in addition to your own packing and for the life of me I couldn't understand why you would want the extra load that would entail. :confused3

But you're intending to LEAVE the clothes that your children wear during that week (after laundering them of course) to leave extra room in your luggage!

And that makes great sense! :worship: :cheer2:

[Cool-Beans]

I finally now understand what you plan to do! I thought you intended to bring EXTRA clothing in addition to your own packing and for the life of me I couldn't understand why you would want the extra load that would entail. :confused3

But you're intending to LEAVE the clothes that your children wear during that week (after laundering them of course) to leave extra room in your luggage!

And that makes great sense! :worship: :cheer2:I didn't get it, either. I thought you were hauling to clothes to Orlando to donate them, too.

Your idea is actually a good one that I never thought to do. Wear clothes you want to get rid of and don't take them home! Makes sense. :)

[melomouse]

Hi - You have a great and generous idea - more visitors should consider it. The recession has hit hard, particularly in Florida

I was thinking that a site called freecycle is all over the country by zip code. When I was moving a year ago, I used it everyday as I cleaned out/threw out/sorted.

You basically post online descriptions ("bag of girl's summer clothes, size 6") - stae the location and time for pick up, and the person will email you back thru the site and confirm.You could do this before you leave home, and have a second or third person lined up if you like. The site explains all of this.

And it feels so good!!! An extra heap of pixiedust to you and your family!

[CanadianGuy]

I'm not sure if they take clothing donations, but a phone call would answer the question..

Check with "Give Kids the World" -- www.gktw.org .. If they don't accept such donations I bet they know who does locally.

Moving this thread over to the Community Board.

Thanks,

[pixiedustforever]

:thumbsup2

I think this is a wonderful idea! Very thoughtful and generous!
Anyone wanting to do this type of gesture might want to call
some of the local churches in Lake Buena Vista or Orlando.
They might have food and clothing ministries for these items.
And would probably pick up items left at ... bell services, maybe?

Wonder if Disney would let them do this - everyone would benefit!
Just clean the clothes, first! :laundy:

"Pixiedustforever" pixiedust:

[esdras]

I'll start making phone calls to Disney and some places in the area over the next few days - if I find out anything, I'll post it here.

I was just passing along the compliments regarding the idea to my wife (she gets full credit for this - I had never thought about this either) - and we were talking about how this shouldn't be hard.

I told her about how some here have mentioned unopened food left in DVC villas and how that could be used for charity donations too.

Considering the number of guests who come to Disney each year and PURPOSEFULLY leave space in luggage for souvenirs, or PAY to have things shipped home - shouldn't Disney partner with a charity capable of taking in clean, good condition used clothing and unopened food items that could be beneficial for those in need?

The PR for Disney to do so would be outstanding. If each resort set up a drop-off location for food and clothing donations, and simply had one centralized depot where CM's working at this could take the items picked up from the resorts - then the charity of choice could come to that depot on a regular basis to get the donations. It would require some extra staffing and assigning a building for the purpose of being a depot - but since it would all be clearly used for charitable purposes, I can only imagine that it would be a tax write-off and probably close to a revenue neutral operation for Disney. Even if it cost them a small amount, the goodwill generated from the PR should not be underestimated.

Anyway, that's just what my wife and I thought would be a good idea.

[disneydreamgirl]

I would think that Disney would love this idea. I'll be watching for updates in case I can get in on the giving too! We left a quantity of unopened food on our last trip and hoped that housekeeping would use it or take it home.

[mom2ike]

Check out Hope Children's Home in Tampa. The home would gladly take your items.

[esdras]

Check out Hope Children's Home in Tampa. The home would gladly take your items.

Thanks - I checked their website, but the request for donations didn't mention clothing - mainly cash donations.

Unfortunately, we're flying directly to Orlando and using DME - no rental car. Getting to Tampa isn't possible - and it doesn't look as though they'll come to get donations. We're hoping to arrange a donation to a group that does pickups (as I mentioned earlier, the Vietnam Veterans of America does this in the WDW area), and that the resort will allow for the group to come onsite to get the clothing.

[esdras]

Well, I called today. We'll be staying at ASMu, so I contacted that resort first - the CM transferred my call to a central resort office (I assume this was the case, since the person asked what resort I would be staying at), and I spoke with Alan (sp?) there.

While he said that it was a good idea (so did the CM at ASMu) his suggestion to me (a guest without a personal vehicle) is to speak with the resort conceirge on the day we check-in. Explain that you need to leave the donation at the resort itself, and can anything be done to get it to a charity.

Alan suggested that while this is extremely uncommon (a shame, really :sad2: ), the conceirge would be able to get the names of some local charities that can pick up donations. We could then pick one we like. Alternatively - and this sounds good too - the conceirge will speak to some of the CM's on staff. Many of them have charities or churches that they value, and Alan mentioned that in the past, some CM's at resorts have been able to take the donation to the charity themselves on behalf of the guest.

Essentially, either option is fine with us - whether a charity comes to get the clothing or one of the CM's takes it for us. As long as it gets to a place where it can do some good, we're happy.

Anyway, it sounds as though it IS possible - even for people using DME and Disney transportation completely and have no personal vehichle. Simply talk to the conceirge when you check in, let them know your departure date, speak with them again sometime between your arrival and departure to see what they have found in terms of charities, and then make the arrangements to drop off your donation on the day you check-out.

While it seems as though there is no official Disney policy on this - it looks like they'll work it out in some way. :thumbsup2

[disneydreamgirl]

Nice! Thanks for calling and getting some info for all of us! :thumbsup2 I will add this to my upcoming trip notes.

[LuvMickey36]

Don't know if this will help you or not, but our local Salvation Army picks up from our home if we call them. You could always drop them @ the firestation & ask them. They might know of someone who could use them.

[brack]

The Orlando area has a large Salvation Army unit which I am sure would love to have you drop them off. Google The Salvation Army Orlando and the first thing that comes up is the "Adult Rehabilitation" program. It is a drug and alcohol program operated by the Salvation Army free of charge to the client. They are the ones who run the thrift stores.

[esdras]

The Orlando area has a large Salvation Army unit which I am sure would love to have you drop them off. Google The Salvation Army Orlando and the first thing that comes up is the "Adult Rehabilitation" program. It is a drug and alcohol program operated by the Salvation Army free of charge to the client. They are the ones who run the thrift stores.
Thanks, that will be an option if the conceirge suggests that one of the CM's at the resort will take our donation for us.

If we were driving ourselves or renting a car, this wouldn't be a problem. However, we are flying and using DME and the Disney transportation systems for our entire stay. At no point do we plan on going off-site. We have to rely on the concerige finding us a charity who will come to ASMu to pick up our donation, or arrange for one of the CM's to take it to a charity for us. Apparently, that is possible though.

Thank you for the suggestion regarding the Salvation Army - a very worthwhile charity. If they do pickups, or a CM would drop off our donation, we will definitely consider them.

[esdras]

Just thought I would bump this up to let people know the results of donating the clothing.

There were no problems with doing this at all. A couple of days after arrival I went to the registration desk and mentioned my previous call to the resort and what we wanted to do. The CM checked in with the manager and said it would be no problem. She also added that if a different CM questioned us about dropping off the items when it came time to do so - simply tell them that the manager (she gave us his name) said it was okay and that he would make sure it got to a good charity.

Now, they didn't mention which charity, but I'll trust that they donated the clothing.

If we go again in a couple of years, we'll probably do the same thing again.