Send old toys to Iraq.

Keeping a handle on reducing the clutter of toys was tough enough with one kid, but with two it's twice as hard. And now that my smallest is outgrowing some toys, I've got to find something to do with them. I could try to garage-sell them, but the other day on Parent Hacks I found a better solution: donate them to kids in Iraq.

A member of the Army Corps of Engineers is over there giving away stuffed toys to children who have literally nothing, With all the devastation, I can't think of a better thing to do with some of the stuffed animals we have that are no longer played with.

Check out the post about it at Parent Hacks, and mail your stuffed animals, toys and school supplies (now through November 2007) to:

Edmay Mayers
USACE - GRS
APO AE 09331

UPDATE (OCTOBER 2008): Edmay is no longer serving in this capacity. The new person/address to send the items to is:

Tonya Myrick - TOYS
USACE-GRS
Building 511
APO AE 09331

Unfortunately you'll now have to fill out a customs form, which will require a trip to the Post Office, but this address should work for the forseeable future. -mdd

Comments

[moderndaydad]

There is no free mailing service, nor will you get a tax form. This isn't a tax deductible charity. If you want to send them, then the information is above. Thanks.

[Ann-Marie Moulton]

IS THERE A FREE MAILING SERVICE TO SEND THE ANIMALS TO IRAQ OR WHEREVER. I NEED THE BOXES AND I NEED PRE-PAID POSTAGE AND I NEED A DONATION SLIP FOR TAX PURPOSES. I HAVE JUST WASHED/BLEACHED/STERILIZED WITH WASHER/DRYER ABOUT 200 VARIOUS SIZE STUFFED ANIMALS. THEY ARE ALSO BAGGED UP IN CLEAN, CLEAR BAGGIES. WHAT FURTHER DO I DO? 1/15/09. MY NAME IS ANN.

[Catalina in Miami]

I am a 11 year old willing to donate some gently used stuffed animals. I woul like to know what adress to send the toys to.

[Sharon]

Hi, I'm Natalie Sudman's sister. She was collecting the toys on behalf of Edmay's project through 2007. Natalie was wounded on Thanksgiving last year (2007) so she is back in the states, doing well, but she isn't receiving toys at the base anymore. I'm collecting toys here in St. Paul to send there and now Natalie says to send toys addressed this way:
Tonya Myrick - TOYS
USACE-GRS
Building 511
APO AE 09331
Tonya is still there, and even if she leaves everyone knows who will take care of the toys, so this will keep working.

[pinkmohair]

Great idea - I'm going to gather up some stuff this weekend. Thanks for the post.

[Edmay]

I received your boxes thanks so much of course thank you letters will be forthcoming. Bless you -- /Edmay

[Edmay]

Thanks so much for posting this for us. Bless you. /Edmay

[Asha (Parent Hacks)]

Thank you so much for helping spread the word about this.