If you live near a state psychiatric hospital, please consider calling them to see if they accept clothing donations. I'm up in the cold north of the country and patients here are seriously in need of coats. Supplies have dwindled and after the holidays and before spring cleaning, people just aren't thinking about donations.

Larger sizes are especially needed since those meds and lack of interest or ability to exercise really pack on those pounds!

Other items accepted, at least in my area, are books, videos, beauty supplies (nothing in glass, or containing alcohol), crossword puzzles, games, and safe craft supplies.

It's amazing how little some of these people have, and how much they appreciate that strangers are thinking about them.

Thank you!! Emmy

[darkeyes]

That is such a beautiful thing to mention, bless you
I will consider doing this when I go through things and usually give them to Goodwill or Salvation Army which I see Goodwill gets this stuff for free and then they have stores where they sell it to the people, taking advantage of the poor, cause why take clothes collections and stuff under the guise "for the poor", not unless the money they take in they give to the poor, but then they pay overhead, wasting the money they could of used for the cause, grrrrrrrrr!
Okay, sorry I got off track, but I have things as I speak that I will call around and see if they need the stuff, this was such a great thing you brought up on here
Also, anyone who has old but usable towels, local animal shelters and wildlife centers take them, I know working at the bird centre that I do volunteer work, bath towels are used a lot, especially when the spring comes and we get lost and/or injured ducklings, goslings, pigeons, raptors, etc. for putting in their cage, besides newspapers, just thought I'd mention, I think it is important to "re-cycle" in any way we can
Thanks for posting this
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[krzyk101]

Thank you for posting this as my best friend is currently a patient of a State hospital. It is difficult for him to recieve items not avalible for purchase on the grounds. Many people at the state hospital come in with very little to speak of, also many have no family, friends, or income support.

Some people that I know have been sent to the state hospital after severe mental illness which can contribute to the lack of personal belongings, especially if they have abandoned there previous living arrangement and have lost every thing.

The fact of larger size clothing is so true locally here, as well as the state hospital. Sweats are the best in my opinion, you really cant go wrong with 2x-3x even if they are big, as meds cange so does weight in my experience so up and down weight leaves sweats that can be adjusted with the elastic waist band making it easier to compensate. And if someone looses weight, and they become too big there is always someone else who has gained and the clothing can circulate, so really it is helping more than one person.

Glad to hear someone here to advocate for those who cant.

Thanks alot, take care

KRIS

"I'm Not Crazy I'm Just a Little Unwell"

If you think you have totally gave up, you haven't, because you are here!

[darkeyes]

Hey kris,
My label reads like some of the outlet stores's clothes read,
"slightly imperfect, but will not affect wear", that is a little humour I apply to myself and situation
Great to see you

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[heatherm]

{{{{{{{{{{Emmy}}}}}}}}}}}}

What a great idea! I am going to go through my closets now and see what I may have to give too.

Just a thought too that I have.....I used to work in a residential facility for mentally and physically challenged.....if the labels are on the clothes all the better too for putting their names on the items.....especially for the laundry staff there so they know who owns what too.

Great idea Emmy .


Heather

[(JD)]

I hadn't thought of donations for there, all my goods go to either Salvation Army (they helped everyone after Hurricane Andrew, when others didn't) and the Miami Rescue Mission...

But for craft supplies, consider black markers and crayons. Natch, they always run out of these first.

And while I'm at it, if you have dog supplies, try to iinclude those organizations that provide Service Dogs for handicapped! Leashes, collars, bedding, etc. Paws With a Cause, Canine Companions for Independence, Hearing Dogs of Florida (One 1 in 10,000 disabled needing a service dog, get one, largely due to lack of Puppy Foster Homes. : )

...I can misspeak like the best of us

I have a list of state psych hospitals, but it's too big to post. If anyone wants the list for their state, just PM me and I'll send it your way.

As far as private hospitals needing donations - depends on the hospital. Just give them a call and see if they have a need. Thanks everyone! Emmy