If you’re anything like me, you may have trouble parting with scrapbook supplies — even if it helps you be more organized!
If you’ve taken the tools organization quiz and the product organization quiz and, despite determining which supplies you can let go of, still find yourself in need of a little motivation, what if I told you that you could put those supplies to good use in another way?
Finding a charity you feel good about helping out can make parting with your scrapbook supplies a little easier.
Not sure how to get started? Try approaching some of your local organizations to see if they are accepting donations. Some of these organizations may include:
- Day care centers
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Retirement centers
- Nursing homes
- Art-therapy centers
You can also donate your supplies to charities specifically created to help others heal through scrapbooking.
Operation Scrapbook is a charity that accepts new or gently used scrapbooking/stamping supplies to provide scrapbooks for foster children and hospice patients.
Mothers of Angels is a group of mothers celebrating, remembering, and supporting each other through the emotional times of losing a child. They accept supply donations from individuals and companies to help mothers survive day-to-day by offering an emotional outlet through the creative process of preserving a child’s memories.
Charity Scrapbook Buddies is a Facebook group that was set up to get the word out about crops and other scrapbook functions that help those in need.
For US military personnel, Operationwritehome.org collects homemade cards for men and women in the military to send to their families. Use your excess supplies to create and donate your homemade cards. Be sure to read the guidelines posted on the home page, and then check out the blog for updates on what cards are currently most needed.
Crops of Luv is a non-profit organization founded to create scrapbooks for children to preserve the memories created as a result of participating in the wishes granted by non-profit organizations. Crops of Luv collects and puts together memory books for these children and their families, who fill them with treasured photographs and stories. You can help these families remember their fun times by donating your excess supplies.
Want more ideas about how to donate? Take a look at the March/April 2009 issue of Simple Scrapbooks for a list of additional community and non-profit organizations that will use your supplies to help others.
With these and many other charities out there, desperately in need of supply donations, why not take this opportunity during Organization Week to enrich the stash of other scrapbookers who are facing the opposite problem you are?
Pull out those extra supplies and give someone else the healing experience of scrapbooking. You never know; donating to a charity and helping someone out could be your favorite part of getting organized.
What other charities or organizations have you donated to? We’d love to hear your ideas so please leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker!
Amber Ellis, online senior editor
P.S. Don’t forget that today is Free Font Friday! Download the CK Scratchy Box font for free.
Thanks for some really great ideas I have picked out a couple that I will definitely look into! I have a close family member that likes to papercraft but doesn’t have the disposable income to buy much – I like to have her come over and “help” me use up my stash and tools. We get to enjoy each others company and she is able to create. Love it!
Thank you for all these ideas and the places you can donate too. I have to say my stash is very small ( no extra money to buy too much) when I do have some extras I give them to the kids for crafts and donate them to our art teacher at school. This has been a fun and very helpful week.
I pass my supplies onto my nieces—they love them!
I just dropped off a big box of papers last month at my daughter’s preschool! … they loved it and it felt so good to get it out of my space! … now to fill up another one
My Stamping Club has made cards to leave at the Ronald McDonald House by Columbus Children’s Hospital for families staying there who need a card to send during their stay.
I’ve been trying to get organized forever! I always put stuff asside to donate, but it never actually gets donated (because I’m too lazy to search for an organization).
Thank you for the list of organizations. I see one that I’d love to support with my extras.
I don’t really donate to charities per se, but I do bring things for the English as a 2nd language girls I tutor to make projects!
I donated a ton of craft supplies to a children’s foster facility. It was the greatest feeling to see the ladies happy for stickers, paper and glue.
I donate my excess supplies to my 8 year old neighbor girl who is getting into scrapping. She loves when I come over with a box of papers, stickers…makes her day.
Usually I pass on my scrap surplus to the local “KIDS ZONE”, an after school place for our local kids. In the Summer, they are open all day as well. I also take some of my larger chipboard letters and pieces to the Rehab Center at the hospital. The older folks there use them for dexterity and love the fact that they created something as well!
Great tips for donating all those unneeded items.
I pass my supplies on to my granddaughter. Thanks for all the other ideas on how to share the wealth.
These are all such great ideas, Amber! I have some out-dated paper and stickers that I know I’m never gunna use. They’re not unwanted, just unneeded so I think donating them to a worthy cause is the perfect excuse I need to start cleaning out my stash. I’ve really enjoyed reading all about Organization Week…brilliant!
I haven’t donated too many scrap supplies, but I donate them to a local hands-on Kids museum here in town that is so grateful for anything like that. They love getting them.
Wonderful ideas here! My daughter loved the art therapy room when she was undergoing chemotherapy. It’s a beautiful way to share excess supplies! Artists can donate extra paint to school drama departments as well, they use them on props and backdrops.
Not a unique idea, but I take stuff into DD’s preschool all the time. The teachers and kids appreciate the extra supplies to get creative with.
I am working on purging and have started a pile for donations. I am a bit of hoarder and need to give to those who will use this stuff.
I love the idea of sharing scrap goodies with a charity! I will look into charities in my area.
thanks!
Great ideas! I found out that the local teen shelter also collects scrap supplies, so they’re next on my list.
One time my sister knew a friend that had cancer. She collected some supplies at a crop to donate to her, so she could scrapbook her story before she passed away.
I haven’t donated scrapbooking supplies, but I have shared with friends who are just learning. I have donated several items to a homeless shelter, foodstuffs, toiletries, and an old TV. They almost cried when I brought the things in. They were very thankful, and in a way, it changed me too.
Putting together a bag of goodies for my son’s daycare center this weekend!
I give my unwanted supplies to the local Brownies. All the girls love craft nights so they are very welcome.
Thanks for the shout out for Operation Write Home! It is a great organization. I’ve made over 1,000 cards for them since May. Your readers can connect with us on Facebook too.
I have donated some supplies to our local girl scouts and also to a local girl’s home.
I often give my old supplies to my Girl Scout troops or other troops in the area. They use them to make cards for local nursing homes, hospitals, and to send to soldiers overseas. Just a small way to help them all learn how to pay it forward!
Card Cupids is another great organization you can donate handmade cards to. Generic cards are forwarded to two children’s hospitals. They also have “Card Cupid Recipients” that have been nominated to receive cards due to difficult circumstances they are facing.
http://www.cardcupids.org/
some agancies for foster kids provide scrapbook supplies in order for the kids to do a lifebook which is basically a scrapbook of their lives.
probably big sisters would use the things too.
Thanks so much for these links!! I just purged a TON of stuff from my stash and have been trying to find a place to donate! I am definetly going to check out some of these links!!!!!
I’m going through this right now. I’ve been overhauling my scraproom and I have so much to give. I’m giving half to the local children’s hospital and half to my friends sons’ school. I don’t have problems giving it away, its just a matter of sorting it all out that takes so much time.
I teach free scrapbooking classes to veterans in my area, and all of my extras as well as donations go to make up kits for them to use.
Thank you for the ideas! I have had a box of donation items for quite some time but was having a hard time knowing who could use them. I also appreciated the donations that were accepted at last year’s Buffalo CKC.
Thank you for the ideas! I have had a box of donation items for quite some time but was having a hard time knowing who could use them. I also appreciated the donations that were accepted at last year’s Buffalo CKC.
I donate all of my excesses to my sister who is on disability and cannot afford to purchase scrapbook supplies. It makes it easy to give her even the more expensive things.
I’ve donated to the Boys and Girls club.
Great article! And great ideas.
Sometimes I bring extra supplies to work as prizes for my team I also really like sharing with my daughters school.
What a great idea! We will publicize this!
Great idea. I’ve always either given my extras away to family or friends or given them to the local elementary school. Teachers have such a limited budget and those children are our future crafters and artists!!!
Have a great day…Sandy
You can also donate to churches to use for Vacation Bible School or children’s church activities.
A few of my friends take their kids to a co-op daycare so I always send mine there.
Our local library is one of the sponsors for a group that provides free or low cost craft lessons that is open to everyone, no matter your age or experience.
I give My art extra’s to Our church Sunday school and art area….they love new things…
These are great ideas. I went to the Mothers of Angels page and cried my eyes out. It’s so wonderful to see people using this gift to help others. I noted the address and will send some supplies there soon. Thanks!
I have enjoyed your blog very much. I have gone over a lot of information and it has helped with my research.
It?s really a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reminding crafters about the many places that are thrilled to have their excess supplies. Many of the organizations we have raised funds for, and those we are currently looking to raise funds for, happily accept crafting and art supplies for use in their programs. I will add the ones you listed above, as well as those shared with your commentors, to our site so our retreat attendees are aware of even more options.
Something I shared with my organizing clients who were having a hard time letting go of unused items: yes, you spent “good money” on that item. But, the money’s gone and it’s not coming back! Why not pass this item along to someone who really needs it and/or will appreciate it? make it useful and create room in your life for new things and energy, both of which can be blocked by holding on to things you don’t need, want, love and or have room for.
Happy Organizing everyone!
I am trying to get the Pottery Barn multi-tiered tray that shows in the keepsake blog. Can someone help me please. Thankyou, Pat E.