Goodwill offers some dos and don’ts for prospective donors

       People are invited to “de-clutter your home and give your gently used clothing and other unwanted items” to Goodwill Industries, a press release states.
       Goodwill's Colorado Springs headquarters and one of its donation processing plants is on the Westside. The drop-off dock is in the alley behind the plant at 2307 W. Colorado Ave.
       Any donations that are brought in by Dec. 31 can be claimed as a tax deduction. The Internal Revenue Service allows a deduction for each item. As a guide, Goodwill suggests the donor estimate what the item would sell for in a thrift store. For items worth more than $500, a qualified appraisal must accompany the claim.
       Goodwill requests the following from donors:
  • Separate clothing from household items in boxes or bags.
  • Wash or dry-clean clothing. Keep shoes paired by using a rubber band.
  • Wrap breakables in newspaper and place in boxes.
  • Test electrical equipment (wrap cords around items) and battery-operated items.
  • Include all pieces and parts to children's games and toys.
  • Clean information off computer hard drives and include the operating system. Pentium II or newer versions accepted.
  • Don't leave items unattended outside a collection center.
  • Don't donate broken or soiled items.
  • Don't give items that have been recalled, banned, or do not meet current safety standards.
           The 2307 W. Colorado Ave. loading dock is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. On Christmas Eve, the dock will close at 3 p.m., while normal hours will prevail on New Year's Eve.
           If donating a vehicle, include clear title and keys (call 633-1988 for information on this).
           For general information on donations to Goodwill, call 635-4483. The website is goodwill-colosprings.org.
           Goodwill is a non-profit company that operates retail thrift stores and also offers job training programs and services to people with disabilities or disadvantages.

    From a press release