clutter for a cause

Donating to charity is a win-win situation. You'll turn a chore into a feel-good mission -- and get a tax break! While Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross are great places to donate most items, consider these outside-the-donation-box ways to get rid of space-hoggers!

WINTER COATS
Donate them to One Warm Coat, which sponsors coat drives around the country.
GO TO: onewarmcoat.org

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
From piccolos to guitars, Operation Happy Note sends secondhand instruments to soldiers deployed overseas.
GO TO: operationhappynote.com

COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
Computers with at least a Pentium III Processor can be donated to The On It Foundation, which provides computers and Internet access to low-income families.
GO TO: theonitfoundation.org

BOOKS
The International Book Project will ship your old tomes abroad for use in schools, orphanages, and libraries.
GO TO: internationalbookproject.org

SNEAKERS
Old sneakers can go to the Nike-sponsored Reuse-a-Shoe (the used kicks don't have to be Nikes). The rubber is used to create play surfaces for kids around the world.
GO TO: letmeplay.com

FURNITURE
The National Furniture Bank Association will give your couch to anyone in need, including domestic violence victims.
GO TO: help1up.org

CELL PHONES
At Collective Good, you choose the charity, such as The Center for Domestic Violence Prevention, that your donation of a used phone will support.
GO TO: collectivegood.com

RANDOM KNICKKNACKS
Got something you don't know what to do with, but you're sure someone would want? Excess Access matches your items with local nonprofit wish lists.
GO TO: excessaccess.com

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com