Since I have closed my garden for the winter, I started to look inward at my house which has been neglected during the summer months. As many of my loyal readers know, I am obsessed with gardening, and everything goes on hold until the last vegetable is picked. As I piled my garden equipment back into the garage for the winter, I could not help but notice my messy garage with bicycles, outdoor toys, and sports equipment sprawled all over the floor.
As I sifted through all the equipment on the floor, I notice that much of it was too small for my fourth child. Boy, has time flown. Yes, the tears start to well up in my eyes when I muse about when they wore those skates or rollerblades. I am a big softie about how fast my children have grown.
The good news is the sports equipment is in pretty good shape and has received its fair share of use by my four boys. But, as we all know, children grow like weeds. (Sorry, there I go again using those gardening words. ) Eventually, the skates, tennis rackets, and other sport paraphernalia become too small for the youngest and the sports equipment needs to find a new home.
As I thought about how to donate the sports equipment, visions of numerous (okay countless) recreation jerseys and sports uniforms danced in my head. If your household is anything like mine, every fall, winter, and spring, they collect new recreation jerseys, sponsored by so and so law firm, business or whomever is gracious enough to donate money for the purchase of jerseys. Although I greatly appreciate these donatons, why can’t we just pass down the t-shirts to the next group? Perhaps order a size that everyone can wear. Who needs a ton of unused shirts in their drawers? Not to mention, the environmental aspect of natural resources and energy used to create 15 plus t-shirts for a zillion teams each season! Readers, can you envision smoke coming out of my head as I sit here fuming at all the environmental madness?
Let’s not stop at just the town recreation sports. How about all those countless club sport uniforms, warm-ups and bags that my children have collected throughout their sports careers? Many of you may have children who change teams frequently. Or perhaps, your child’s team had to discontinue use of their current uniforms since they could no longer supply the same uniform to new players.
Children are not the only ones who have unused sports equipment and uniforms. So as I write this article, I pondered what should we all do with our unused sports apparrel and equipment? Here are some the resource I have used or found. Please feel free to add on to my list in the comments.
- Connect with a family who has younger children. I give my kids’ hand me downs to a family of younger boys. Unfortunately, they did not want to store the sports equipment since their boys are so much younger than mine.
- Play it Again Sports with franchises through the US and Canada: You can buy new, buy used, or trade in your equipment for cash at one of their locations. In general, here is what they are looking for. However, it is best to call your local store to find out what they are specifically looking for since each area is different.
- Sports Gift: This not for profit is focused on providing sports to underprivileged kids all over the world. They accept certain sports equipment, clothing, and shoes, and encourage coaches to send them their surplus equipment. All items can be sent to them via common carrier or delivered to their Laguna Hills, California Office . They also take surplus or obsolete merchandise from manufacturers or retailers.
- Sport2kids.org: This Davies, California based organization is working with a Sacramento YMCA to collect used or new equipment to benefit the kids. If you live in the Davies/Sacramento area, you can arrange for a pickup. See here. Cash donations are welcomed too. In addition, the organization seeks Yolo county businesses who can make sports equipment donations.
- Universal Giving: Similar to Sports Gift, this organization accepts donation for underprivileged kids in 19 countries.
- FreeCycle: Join a group and list your once loved possessions for free.
- Craigslist: Find your local area and create a free ad to either donate or sell your item. Word of advice. Always have more than one person with you when someone comes to look at your items. (This applies to FreeCycle too.) We all want to believe people are innately good but it is better to be safe than sorry.
- Sports for the World’s Children: Again, this San Franciso based organization is similar to Sports Gift. However, at this point, their website indicated that they can no longer accept sport equipment, but would gladly accept monetary donations. (Note: website information changes so check back with this organization to see if their sports equipment donations have resumed.)
- What about fitness equipment? Fitness 4 Charity accepts donations of used fitness equipment as well takes donation requests for the equipment. In the past, the organization has donated equipment to schools, foster care homes, firehouses, hospitals, and individuals just to name a few.
- Check your local Special Olympic chapter if they need any used or new sports equipment. The North Carolina chapter is seeking donations.
- Search iloveSchools for coaches or teachers seeking donations. This site provides a place where teachers can provide a wish list and connect with their community and businesses to seek those donations whether it is supplies, furniture or technology items. In addition, you can post a donation after you create a donor account.
- Humanitarian Service Project for DuPage and Kane County in Illinois (via Volunteer Match) is seeking sports equipment for ages 8-12.
- National Alliance for Youth Sports Global Gear Drive: This organization seeks new or slightly used sports equipment and sports uniforms to be donated to children in Africa, the Middle East, Caribbean, and Mexico. Contact the organization for free shipping of your boxes.
- For an exhaustive list of who accepts gently to falling apart running shoes or sneakers, see here.
- Consider recycling your yoga mats at Recycle your Mat (via FitSugar’s post.)
- Recycle used swim caps at EcoAthlete.org.
- Tennis balls that no longer have their bounce? Rebounces accepts reasonable quality tennis balls. (No balls that Fido ate.) Email or call them for a prepaid postage for 100 -500 ball packages. Don’t have enough balls? Consider starting a drive or partnering with a tennis club to collect gently used balls or pay for them to be sent to the organization.
- Opportunity for Baseball via Chase Sports Specialist LLC: This Arizona based organization accepts donations of used and new baseball equipment for less fortunate kids who want to play baseball.
- New Jersey Goals Ahead: This organization helps to introduce youth ice hockey to diverse urban communities and helps to defray the cost especially for lower income families. They accept donated used hockey equipment on a need basis.
- 4 the World: Seeking donation of sports uniforms and equipment. The uniforms are sent to schools and orphanages so the children can play sports as a team.
- Contact your local Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Donate to Goodwill and the Salvation Army
- SwapMama: A social networking swap site for everything “mama could want.” See here for more swapping and bartering sites.
Whew! That was some long list, but there are probably more organizations or ideas that I did not list. So, readers, where have your donated recreation t-shirts, sports equipment or uniforms?
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burtonhardy says
I know when my mom threw out my comic books and baseball cards iwas angry. So i took my glove and football with me where ever I went.
Get your kids approval in writting and on video(s). This also applies to husbands
can also reach out to chruches in poor neighborhoods who do not have access to resources. Look toward New Orleans as an example
solarglobalgreen says
Excellent example of recycling. We all have a little junk we can make use of.
Condo Blues says
I hear you! My husband’s a middle distance runner. Fortunately his sport doesn’t require much in the way of equipment but he does have a closet full of running shoes! After he logs a certain number of miles on his running shoes (he keeps a spreadsheet. Yes, he’s that serious about running.) and his shoes are too broken down for training they become his causal wear tennis shoes and then painting, etc. shoes.
I made some of his race shirts into a t-shirt quilt to use as a picnic blanket. He’s sentimental about the race shirts since many of them were for charity races.
.-= Condo Blues´s last blog ..My Gingerbread House has Solar Panels =-.
KS says
There’s a new bartering website you could try too, which is pretty cool. It’s a free site, called paymewithachicken.com, and you can upload video of what you have to trade and give an idea of what you’d like in return. You can just upload a picture too, but the video is easy, plus it’s more interactive.
cork flooring says
Nice advice for recycling useless equipments in the home. It can be said that the outlook of a garage is dependent on how you manage various items in a proper order.
Eileen says
Great topic as I was cleaning out my son’s closet today! The Y in Summit is collecting old sneakers and sports shoes…we’ve donated many! We’re also gearing up for a pick up by Father English Center in Paterson, so some of those old football items will be given away.
It’s good to know about the various other suggestions you’ve mentioned.
Whitney @ Mini Greenhouse Kits Blog says
I just started to recycle paper in my own home and at the office, as well I just finished reading an article about new bills adding government regulations and control on green house gas emissions, and all kinds of things. Have you heard anything about this? Good post, keep up the good work!
Oh yeah, check it out I recommended Green Talk! http://www.bestgardengifts.com/directory/
.-= Whitney @ Mini Greenhouse Kits Blog´s last blog ..Greenhouse Gardening Tips for Year Round Cultivation =-.
Green Talk says
Whitney, thank you so much for the recommendation. You put a huge smile on my face today. I will have to check out your garden gifts. You know I am a sucker for anything gardening. Mini greenhouse kits…Hmmm. Anna
Whitney @ Mini Greenhouse Kits Blog says
Hehe, well I am glad to hear that you got a rise out of my comment. I am the owner of a company that manufacturers and distributes mainly gardening & green living products. 🙂
.-= Whitney @ Mini Greenhouse Kits Blog´s last blog ..Greenhouse Gardening Tips for Year Round Cultivation =-.
carl thomas says
i want to give footballs ,baseballs bats to south america
Delta Door Company says
I am kind of a pack rat. I let junk pile up way too easy because I hate throwing things away. This is some great advice, other people could be using my stuff and then I don’t even have to feel bad about it.
Youth Soccer Planet says
My names are Coach/Player Epah Gyavira.I am a Cameroonian by nationality and I am 39 years. I am football fanatic and this can be seen from my experience in the game of football. In Cameroon, i played for a good number of clubs and national tournaments. My football career in Cameroon has a lot of positive impact on my life.
Due to my talent, I decided to travel to South Africa where I could show case my talent in the game of football. I played for many clubs in South Africa most remarkable is the ARCADIA SHEPARDS F.C. We emerged Champions of the VODACOM League in 2003-2004. I also did coaching management because of the love that I had for soccer. My career in South Africa has a remarkable legacy in my life. While in South Africa, i traveled to Japan for a test match but unfortunately, I was questioned for failure to renew my passport. Consequently, I was sent to Cameroon. The story is really a sad one. All what I had worked for in South Africa perished.
Back in Cameroon, i did not give up my passion for soccer. I joined a few soccer clubs but it was always difficult to make it to the top. My soccer career in the pitch diminished but i still have the passion for soccer.
Because of my Charisma and Talent, i was appointed coach of the Little Foot F.C ,Tiko D2. My coaching career with this club was poor because it was very difficult to transform the barbaric and uncultured talent of these African Children.
Our Principles:
To build character and self-esteem
To foster respect
To encourage healthy lifestyles that include physical activity and healthy eating
To grow a sense of community
The Academy is just 1 year 5 months old. I have a total of 30girls and 60boys ages ranging from 5-19. I want to use this soccer academy to eradicate the high level of illiteracy.
Through this mission, I will pass on Hope and a brighter future to the underprivileged.
I am mailing you today is to beg on behalf of this young academy, my community which has no football club right now, and Cameroon in general to help us Soccer equipments.
We need Balls most especially.
* Soccer shoes * Soccer balls * Soccer jerseys and shorts * Soccer socks * Goalie gloves and jerseys * Ball bags * Duffle bags * Training equipment * and more!
We have a couple of relatives in USA who are willing to collect the equipments and send them to us in Cameroon .
United State contact :
Dr. Rolande R. Hodel, Ph.D. President&Founder AIDSfreeAFRICA 125 South Highland Ave. #3-B1 Ossining, NY 10562 914-923-2073 http://www.AIDSfreeAFRICA.org http://AIDSfreeAFRICA.blogspot.com
CHRYS FUSI
His new home address is :
18256 Atherstone trail Land O Lakes Fl. 34638
Kindly keep me updated .
“The soccer ball is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against poverty and violence.” Pele – World Cup Champion
“Together we can make it happen”.
Our website is currently under construction .
http://www.facebook.com/media/.....038;type=1
Best Regards
Founder : Epah Gyavira Fusi
Tel : 0023774634352/
Alt tel : 0023770020518/0023779276679
Email : epahfusi@hotmail.co.uk.
Arcadia Shepards Soccer Academy
” We Change Lives
Anna@Green Talk says
Good Luck. I hope people find the comment and send balls your ways. Anna
Carol-Anne Eaton says
The Cripps Waratah Netball Club has introfduced a new playing uniform this season and we are looking to donate the older style dresses to a community; school or overseas area that would liek them. We are preapred to take up collection and organise a delivery point if anyone can assist, we also have some used balls to donate too. Please contact me asap as we are keen to help out a group in need
Epah Gyavira says
Hello Carol, thanks for the comment and willingness to help .
I will equally like to have your email address so as to send you all infos regarding our group .
Our email address is ( socceryouths@yahoo.com )
Thanks
Epah Gyavira says
Hello Mrs Carol-Anne Eaton,
we shall be very pleased to recive the equipemts for our charity.
I will like to have your email address so that i ca nsend you all info about our group.
My email is brainyforpeace@gmail.com or socceryouths@yahoo.com
Collins Ochieng Obara says
Hi Sunrise fc a community based project in Kenya is humbly requested to consider their project by donating to them some of the soccer gears you have collected. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon.
Yours Sincerely,
Collins Obara.
Anna@Green Talk says
Collins, I don’t collect soccer gear. Hopefully someone who visits the article will see your request and email you. Anna
Peter Perkins says
Hello my name is Peter A. Perkins, I just accepted the position of assistant tot he athletic director and coach of many sports. The school that I am referring to his titled: West Side High School, located in Gary, Indiana. After my first day of the job and taking an inventor of what the district needs in order to continue their sports programs it clear they are in very bad need of equipment, supplies, uniforms, and court/field repairs. For many of the student athlete’s in low income communities sports are their safe heaven. I am asking for any help to continue building dreams and futures with your support. Peter A. Perkins