In 2000-01, I had a column with the Rocky Mountain News, The Stuff Exchange, where household items to be given away could be listed. The idea was these items are "too good to throw away." Yes, people could have sold items and clothing, could have given items to friends and neighbors, and could even have pitched them out. But what we found were many household items that could find a happy home somewhere else with a "second life." Since then, many people have called me for names and numbers of places that want good "goods." I am always happy to check my files and give out names and numbers. So what I have done is just printed up my files. Obviously there are more people in Denver wanting your items than I know about, so please let me know if you have other sources or if you find errors.
A new listing called mostlyfreestuff.com concentrates on Denver, so try them for getting rid of things. Freecycle.org and Craig’s List are good, too.sallyk@ecentral.com. Thanks to Westword for its support of recycling by giving us awards.
FALL RECYCLING AND THE EVACUEES: The evacuees have been placed. Please call 211 with all suggestions of volunteering and help. Remember that Denverites are also in need of school supplies, backpacks, and books. Social Services (720-944-2485) is currently looking for school supplies. Get your neighbors to help so you only make one trip to 1200 Federal. At this time of year, groups aren’t as picky about tapes, toys, books as they will be in December.
Old magazines: magazines that can not be recycled to be read (in other words older than two years), should be donated for its paper to any number of magazine recycling boxes around town. The blue boxes for Tri-R Recycling will accept these: call (303) 399-4055 for a location near you or newspaperbins.com to recycle the paper.
CU Hospital would like magazines and VCR tapes or DVD’s at 9th and Colorado in room 1116 or at Fitzsimons in the Anschutz Impatient Pavilion, 12605 E. 16th Ave. In room 1008. Check with the volunteers: (303)372-8444.
Even old National Geographics have little worth these days. If you've checked with a local school or library and they say NO, understand that they have limited space and are using a lot of micro-fiche and film and have no storage space. Some daycare centers like the magazines for pictures; please check around. But at least the paper can be recycled.
Other ideas: Denver Health Medical Center Emergency Room would love your old magazines, especially those in Spanish. 777 Bannock St. Check out what the Safeway on 6th and Downing has done. They have a table of good current magazines for a quarter. They give the money to charity, you get a new magazine, and your old ones find a happy home. Why not try this at your local store or Curves place (mine does it!).
Beds: Quality used beds are needed at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Ask for Family Support Services: (303) 293-2217. Uptown Partnership needs gently used beds and linens. Dawn DeAno: (720) 434-2938.
Blankets and towels: St. Francis Center, 2323 Curtis Street, makes good use of these in its day shelter for the homeless. (303) 297-1576. Also Broadway Ass't Center 605 W. 6th Ave. (303) 893-4108.Clothing: Take these to resale shops or donate to Goodwill-type stores. See Men, Women and Children's listings.
Coats: Channel 7's annual coat drive yearly collects and cleans coats for the homeless. Next collection is Oct1-November 30 at any Dependable Cleaners. Channel 2 has a fall drive with drop offs at any Denver Mattress Company. Watch the papers and news.
Eye glasses: LensCrafter and Lions Clubs have a "Recycle for Sight"collections. Call 1-800-747-4448 for a location near you or check LensCrafters in the phonebook.
Hearing Aids: Lions Clubs or check with Carolyn Kennedy (303) 567-2555.Hangers: Continental Cleaners on 5801 Leetsdale Dr. has a rack outside for hangers. Check Martinizing Dry Cleanings on Broadway in Highlands Ranch. Do other cleaners want them? Lemme know.
Jeans: Blue jeans can be made into quilts for kids in need after fires. Firehouse Quilts (303) 683-6455 Dusty will tell you drop off and sewing sites. firehousequilts@att.net. She also needs batting, thread, and other sewing items. Wearable Jeans can go to the Grant Avenue Street Reach: 303-778-7579 or dropped off at Ichabods at 2 So. Broadway.
Jewelry: The Gathering Place 1535 High St. (303) 321-4198 x 608 and CWEE 1175 Osage St. (303) 892-8444Kids' Clothing, good items: Denver County Foster Parent Ass'n the first Saturday of the month gives out baby things for foster families. For drop off: call Pat: (303) 462-4412. Mount St. Vincent would like gently used kids clothes: (303) 458-7220. 4159 Lowell Blvd. Tennyson Center for Children 2950 Tennyson is a great place to consider: Susie Bonan: (720) 855-3228.
Linens: Any good usable sets of linens, package up in bags with sheets and pillowcases for the Family Center 4101 E. Louisiana G-B (303)-512-0142. They have families waiting for furniture and bedding and appreciate any donations. Gateway Battered Women's Shelter needs good linens for women moving on. Interchurch at 1553 Clinton St. (303) 360-0260 8:30-2:30 M, T, W, 3360 S. Broadway (303) 789-1443. M-F 10-4. The Uptown Partnership would like household items and linens (gently used): Dawn DeAno (720) 434-2938.
Men's Clothing: Denver Rescue Mission (303) 831-7372; Straight Ahead 2130 S. Ash, W 10-4 (303) 871-8083); Men at Work (303) 433-0300; Urban Ministry (303) 355-4896; St. Francis Center (303) 297-1576; WINN (303) 237-9123.Prom Dresses: Check papers in early Feb. for listings. Paula’s Boutique at 2500 E. Orchard (at Orchard and University) will take them for a North High School group: (303) 689-9593. Cinderella’s Attic: (303)347-7721.
Shoes: Pedestrian Shop, 1425 Pearl St. in Boulder. At 5030 Old Pearl St. in Boulder, they grind shoes up for rubber shards. (303) 444-6634. Boulder Running Co. at 8116 West Bowles (303) 932-6000 will take them for grinding. (Kids shoes: Children’s Rescue: (303) 628-0477. childrescue97984@aol.com.
Stuffed toys: Gently loved or new ones: Sept. - Dec. Two drop off sites for Children’s Rescue: 303-628-0477. 3021 S. University. Year round, good clean ones can go to many city agencies. Check the Children’s Listings.
Teens' Clothing: Teens in shelters and on the move need newish name brands (they want to be "in" too) so give THREADS a call: (303) 405-8227. Teens with Urban Peak also need better clothes: 1630 S. Acoma. (303)777-9198 x245.
TEEN CONNECTIONS: Think of Third Way at 50 W. 5th 303-780-9191 x13. It’s a residential treatment program for at risk youth. They need household stuff to start off in apartments: dishes, pots and pans, linens, etc. They are a great group. As is Urban Peak at 1630 S. Acoma where street kids are getting really good help. They need socks and gloves, shampoo and toiletries (from hotels). (303) 777-9198 x245.
Ties: Old neckties are needed by the Ugly Quilt sewers: Gladys: (303) 659-0250; Miriam: (303) 659-0928. Their quilts are actually beautiful–call to see how you can help.
Women's Clothing: St. Joseph’s for clothes: 623 Fox (720) 904-2099; CWEE (Center for Work Education and Employment) is a favorite place for good women's clothing for those heading back into the work force; this is a wonderful woman-training program. Shawan: (303) 892-8444. They take clothing the first week of the month: 1175 Osage St.#300. Clean and on hangers. Got the shoes and scarves for the outfits? Great! New source: Women @ Work Program takes clothes from 9-5 at their central office: 2828 Speer Blvd. Suite 103 (303) 433-0300. Most places would like to take clothes full time–can’t store them, so understand if they are full. Heritage Cleaners (many locations) takes clothes for The Gathering Place. Large sizes appreciated.
Baby Bud's: All baby items, clothing, furniture, toys, and all maternity items should go to Baby Bud's, operated by single moms in a faith-based job training program. 12332 E. Colfax. (303) 364-2494. (Buds =building dignity and service). Main BUDS for household Home Deport-like stuff: (303) 296-3990. Gathering Place also needs baby items. (303) 321-4198 x 608.
Bikes: Mountain Bikes only (sorry no English bikes) rehabbed for inner-city students: Jim (303) 520-8140. Trikes and kids' bikes: Steve Busey (303) 797-2193.Car Seats: Gently used ones, please!
Denver Human Services: Chrisanne Wilhelmi (720) 944-2485.Kids toys and books: Denver Public Library, Smiley Branch, 4501 W. 46th 10-12, 6-7:30 Thurs. 10-12 Sat. (303) 477-3622Sneakers: 1-800-352-NIKE (6453) See shoes above.
Good Children's Places to Help Out (Remember: "gently used, lightly loved")Begin with Books Program: (303) 220-7704 x287. Books and school supplies; Susan. Koebel Library. Call first.
Children's Museum: They often need crafts and other useful kids things. Call and see what they need now: Devin: (303) 433-7444. They like coffee cans with lids, egg cartons, paper towel rolls, milk cartons, cereal boxes as well as flower plant containers. 2121 Children Museum Drive (near the aquarium).
Children’s Rescue: Gently loved toys and books for children in transition. 3201 S. University M-Th.. 9-3, Sundays 9-1. 303-628-0477. They’d like newish shoes, too. Denver Human Services (1200 Federal) cares for Denver's children and families and needs our support with: gently-used car seats, books in Spanish, diapers, new stuffed animals. Chrisanne Wilhelmi (720) 944-2485Gathering Place: 1535 High St. (303) 322-4198 x 608Ronald McDonald House: 1300 E. 21st St. newish videos, book, toys: Remember them with any passes for the zoo, tickets for games you're not using, art museum passes (the parents need a break, too) (303) 832-2667.
Little soaps, shampoos: The Gathering Place 1535 High St. (303) 321-4198; Broadway Ass't Center, 605 W. 6th Ave. (303) 893-4108 Denver Metro CareRing 1100 E. l8th Av (303) 860-7200. City offices for social services: 1200 Federal Blvd. Urban Peak: 1630 S. Acoma: (303)777-9198 x245.Medicines: Any unopened or un-expired medicine will be taken by Project Cure: (720) 323-5448. The Dominican Sisters Home (303) 322-1413 x 22 would like medical supplies, too. Ask for Donna. They also loan free of charge to those without insurance ability to pay, used equipment. This is a great group: 2501 Gaylord.
Soft rags and worn bedding and towels: Denver Dumb Friends League, 2080 S. Quebec St. (303) 696-4941. Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital. 191 Yuma St. (303) 722-5800.
Washcloths: Broadway Ass't Center, 605 W. 6th Ave (303) 893-4108. They could also use liquid laundry soap for the twice weekly laundry services to the homeless. Also St. Francis Center and Denver Rescue Mission.
Towels: St. Francis Center: 2323 Curtis St. (303) 297-1576 (They could also use baby powder, Vasoline, shaving cream, and baking soda.) Samaritan House: 2301 Lawrence (303) 294-0241 all bath items, shower curtains as well as household items like alarm clocks, brooms, mops.
Books: Univ. of Denver Lib. Ass'n: (303) 871-3405 (weekly sales). Denver Public Library has annual sales and will pick up large loads: (720) 865-2051 (or 52). Books for Iraq (www.booksforiraq.com) has started up to help our troops and their people. (303) 221-4409. They need help in the shipping costs.
Christmas Cards: St. Jude's Ranch, P.O. Box 60100, Boulder City, NV 89006. I hear they are no long taking these. Several groups in town want the ripped-off covers–let me know who.
Cell phones: Easter Seals: sprintpcs.com. Three Sprint drop-off locations where all your info will be striped; used for homeless and battered women: 8725 Sheridan Blvd.; 2960 E. 2nd (behind the Tattered Cover); 8353 S. Willow (near Park Meadow) Gateway Battered Women's Shelter: (303) 343-1856 Heather Colliander M-W. They get money for them. Also Cat Care Society will take them. Fund raiser with cell phones: pacebutler.com will buy all your cell phones, so if you want to run a fund raiser, contact them.
Joe’s Thrift Store is a good deal. They will pick up all furniture and mark it for Denver Rescue Mission...then they GIVE the items to those coming out of the shelter and drive the stuff to their new place. Plus you get a receipt. (303) 355-7321. East Colfax at Jasmine.
helping non-profits with office furniture. They will pick up large donations: (303) 296-8580.Office Stuff: Paper, scissors, rulers, lined tables, folders.alladministrative items the Samaritan House can always use these: (303) 364-3177."Peanuts" (packing items): most pack and ship places will take them. 1-800-828-2214.
Postage Stamps: Jeffco Action Center 8755 W. 14th Ave. (303) 237-7704Print Cartridges: (720) 933-6164 Cerebral Palsy; Christ the King Church, 845 Fairfax has started a new program and will receive $3 for each one recycled. Cartridges for Kids at 1-800-4200235. www.cartridgesforkids.com (also cell phones). Any Office Max or Office Depot will give you a ream of paper or $2.50 off for the cartridges. Many groups collect these; ask around.
Videos: Children's movies to any shelter, Ronald McDonald house, library sales.Computers: These are difficult to recycle because most schools and non-profits Pentiums 2's or better so check with a favorite agency. Most old computers in Denver can be put into the trash pick-up BUT you risk theft of ID by anyone finding it. Most businesses must pay ($20-40) for each machine recycled: EcoCycle (303) 444-6634; Technology Recycling (303) 766-9608; North Am. Technology Exchange (303) 443-1984; PC Brokers (303) 449-2267. Contact PC Warehouse in Littleton: 720-344-6010. Call before you drop the computers by. They will reclaim them and assemble newish ones. 12305 Dumont Way. G&S Mountain Recyclers also handles and recovers computers: mountainrecylers.com (303) 682-3171.
Just heard about Computer Community Connection which rehabs Pentium 2's or better and at least a 17" monitor. ( 303)530-3561. They are connected with the Jared Polis Foundation. Thomas@jaredpolisfoundation.org and also try jaredpolisfoundation.org/prog.c3.donate.shtml for help. Also try Surplus Computer Store at 6866 S. Dallas (303)261-1092. And perscholas.org. Try Tech For All: (303)777-7771 x114 that rebuilds computers for the community. 1709 S. Acoma St.
Joe’s Thrift Store (Colfax and Krameria) will take 1996 or better computers; they charge $12.50 to recycle the rest. (303) 355-7321 Also WINN (We're Involving Neighbors Now) will take working computers for their community members. (303) 239-9123. Drop off: 6035 W. 11th Ave. Guarantee Recycling Xperts is a good company that does all kinds of electronic recycling. Call for a price list: (303) 477-2764.
Household cleaners, hazardous waste: Anything in your home that might be toxic, poisonous or hazardous in any way should not be placed in landfills. Oil-based paints, pesticides, batteries, anti-freeze, etc. should be disposed of by experts. Call 1-800-449-7587 for a city pick up. Better, organize your block and have them pick up everyone's hazardous wastes. Jefferson County: (303) 316-6262.
Inorganic Materials. Twice a year there’s a pick up on this. Check with the city for the dates: (720) 865.6900 or www.denvergov.org/trash. Classes are offered in mulching and composting; call the city: (720) 865-6900.
Jars, bottles: Most jelly-makers want clean small jars with lids. Pass these along to friends or recycle the glass in bi-weekly collections. Coffee cans with lids can now go to the Children's Museum (no sharp edges, please). Kitchen tools, dishes, etc. Box these up for women's shelters.
Labels: Campbell Soup labels to Sewall Child Development Center. 1360 Vine. St. James Catholic Church 1314 Newport. (303) 422-7449.Paper towel rolls: Empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls can go to the Children's Museum.
Small working appliances: most shelters and centers will take them for people starting out in apartments. If they don't work, pitch them. Be honest about this.
Pumpkins: After Halloween last year was a composting group who would take these. Look in the papers in Nov.GARAGEAnti-freeze: Clear Choice Antifreeze recycling: (302) 439-7081.
Bikes: Mountain bikes only (sorry, no English bikes) rehabbed for inner-city students: Jim, (303) 520-8140. Near Christmas for trikes and bikes: Steve Busey: (303) 797-2193. Most children’s organizations will take working bikes.
Cans: CanLand Recycling 6141 Federal Blvd. (303) 426-4141. For people not having city pick up, at Colorado Blvd (S) and Kentucky, they have bins for news-papers, tin, aluminum cardboard and magazines. Check it out. Cardboard: The city will collect this now.
Cars: 1 (866) 638-2277 (anything with an engine-they'll tow) Denver: (303) 462-6859. Catholic Charities would like to have them: (720) 377-1373. KCFR and other outlets want these, but new tax laws (2/05) mean only the value of what they sell it for counts on your receipt.
Hazardous Waste: Denver pick up (give three weeks notice): 1-800-449-7587. Please do not dispose of toxic items (batteries, anti freeze, etc.,) in the trash.
Paint: Latex can be pitched. Fill with kitty litter. Oil-based paint, call Hazardous Waste.Plant containers: Call Alameda Wholesale Nursery at 1950 Darmouth. (303) 761-6131. They will take the 1,5, 10 gallon sizes if you bought plants there. Denver Children's Museum said they would take them, too. Amazing. Otherwise, these are sooooo tough to find an outlet for. Let me know of a good nursery one.
Sporting Equipment: The Assistance League of Denver would like your old equipment. 1331 E. Colfax (303) 861-2122. This is also a great place to shop.
Tires: Jaitires: 4591 Ivy (303) 322-7887 ($1 a tire to recycle them into safe playground material under swings, etc.)Tools: Samaritan House: (303) 294-0241 and all household items for people moving into new places.
Animal food: leftover dry or canned animal food, litter, etc. is always welcome at the Cat Care Society 5767 W. 6th Ave in Lakewood. (303) 239-9690. Denver Dumb Friends League needs our help, too. Give them a call. 2080 S. Quebec. (303) 696-4941; 305 Sheridan Blvd. (303) 233-7387. They also need soft fabric toilet-lid covers (for animals to cuddle up in).
Arts and Crafts: A monthly exchange on the 3rd Sat. From 2-4 at 554 Santa Fe Dr. at PODS. Take anything crafty and arty and trade. 303-623-3460. Great for vintage things and unusual collectibles like tins. Check with Star Hogan at Day Dreamz: (303) 927-6978 who needs art supplies for schools.
Backpacks: St. Francis Center (303) 297-1576; VOA (303) 295-2165; Broadway Ass't Center for people "moving on": (303) 893-4108.Christmas stuff (good): Denver Botanic Gardens Sale in Nov. Also good jewelry, linens, trophies, garden ornamental items, antiques. (303) 278-7566 (call before Nov. 1 but this is an annual collection). Santa Claus Shop: Denver: (303) 988-2465; Adams County: (303) 288-8398. With bike and trikes at Christmas, call Steve Busey: (303) 797-2193.
Creative items: anything that you think was "arts and crafty" and could be used by someone, call PODS at 303-623-3460, Lauri. Day Dreamz. Star Hogan (303) 927-6978. Colorado Coalition for the Homeless needs crafty items that their clients can turn into sale items: (720) 329-4621.
People Comforters, Mary, (303) 697-9412; Marycrest Sewing Circle (303) 458-6270. Good silk for quilting: Golden Quilt Museum: (303) 277-0377; how about braiding some rugs from clothing? Call Betty (303) 757-0128. The Academy of Sewing, Kathy Lynch, teaches classes in stores and school and needs fabric, etc. (303) 584-9325. Firehouse Quilts makes blankets for kids after fires: Dusty: (303) 683-6455 Ugly Quilts (but they aren’t) make hundreds of quilts and right now need only neck ties to wrap and hold them: Gladys (303) 659-0250.
Also check out ProjectLinus@aol.com.Kids' hats, new: For the oncology center at Children's Hospital. Judy (303) 973-8652Medical Stuff: Any wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers can be used by Project Cure: (720) 323-5448. They also want bandages, cloth, and general supplies. See the bathroom section.
Musical Instruments: Channel 9 used to have an annual collection in Sept. for public school kids but not this fall. Call your closest Denver Public School.
Sports Stuff: Check the paper for ski trades, used sporting shops (Yellow Pages). Assistance League of Denver will take most stuff: call first. (303) 861-2122. 1331 E. Colfax.
Abandoned Car Detail: (720) 913-1747Appliance Haulers: (fee) (303) 430-7142BUDs (Building Unity and Dignity through Service): takes all household construction-type items, like a thrift Home Depot. (303) 296-3990. This is a super organization and you should visit 4455 E. 46th Avenue.
Baby BUDs: takes all baby and children's items: (303) 364-2494 at 12332 E. Colfax CWEE (Center for Work Education and Employment): (303) 892-8444. Women's work clothing, good working computers, maternity clothes, gift certificates.
Denver Recycles: (720) 865-6805Denver Rescue Mission: (303) 297-1815Grafitti Hotline: (720) 865-7867Habitat for Humanity: (303) 722-5863 or (720) 377-0655. 780 S. Santa Fe. Dr. There’s also one up north plus a new one on the west side.
Ring: good collective group helping others. (303) 860-7200Providers Clearinghouse (office items for non-profits): (303) 296-8580 Recycle America: (303) 914-1421TRI-R: good recycling people, magazines, paper, cans, steel. (303) 399-6351. They have more than 600 blue bins around the city for magazines and paper: newspaperbins.com. Urban Ministry: (303) 355-4896 Warren Village: (303) 320-5035 1323 Gilpin for mothers getting back on their feet.
Evergreen: Bergen Park TRI-R Center: (303) 336-0198For other items to be recycled (metal, scrap iron, etc.) check the yellow pages under recycling. Many wonderful companies will collect your items (some will pay for valuable metals) but at least you can recycle the cardboard, pallets, "anything that tears," plastics, as well as office materials like films and records, computer discs, hard drives, credit cards, etc.
l. Make piles for the a) trash b) for giveaway to family and friends c) for pick up by groups d) for storage. Consider an estate sale if the process of unloading your home of "stuff" is too overwhelming. Agencies take a percentage (30-40%), but they handle all the pricing, sorting and setting up with signs, etc. Sell stuff on ebay, good china/crystal through LaCache, and check out the stores along South Broadway.
3. Give away items before they rot, break, get moldy, or lose value. It if doesn't work, get rid of it. No one wants broken torn items. Most small appliances are not worth repairing (drat); if anyone knows a company that will fix them, please let me know.
7. After a garage sale, many groups will pick up what you haven't sold. Call early for a pick up. One group that I know about is Joe’s Thrift Store on E. Colfax: (303) 355-7321 who can earmark stuff for the Denver Rescue Mission.
8. Some really interesting web sites include marriedforgood.com where you can donate stuff leftover from weddings or for wedding donations. Another interesting site is donarschoose.org for places that could use donations.
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