Many of the families we serve make less than $15,000 per year. Items donated to our agency are either given directly to the families we serve, or are used during sessions with families. Generally we can use:

• Gift cards
• Books
• Toys
• Health and safety items

Gift Cards

We sometimes provide gift cards to families, usually in denominations of $10 or $25 to help with much needed items that we are not able to provide.  We also sometimes use gift cards as rewards for completing one of our programs.  Gift cards to the following stores are the most helpful:

• Target
• Walmart
• Family Dollar
• Dollar Tree
• Food Lion
• Kroger
• Kohl's

Books

There are so many benefits to children having access to books, including learning speech and communication skills, having a way to understand new experiences, and improving their opportunities for school success.  We provide books to the families we serve and to childcare centers.  We especially like books that help with socioemotional development or loving stories about parents and their children.  All new and gently used books are welcome, including those in Spanish.  You can view and download our list of most needed books here.

Toys

Children learn best through play.  Therapists take toys for children and parents to play with together during in-home sessions. We also provide families with toys they can keep to engage in playtime with their children and practice the skills they learn during our sessions. Toys we need include:

• Blocks and construction toys
• Toy food and dishes
• Play doh and play doh tools
• Cars and trucks
• Crayons, markers, and other craft supplies
• Play sets (farms, houses, dolls, etc.)
• Train sets
• Potato heads

Health and Safety Items

As part of our SafeCare program for parents of children birth to five years old, we help parents childproof their home and provide the tools for them to do this.  Also as part of SafeCare, we provide parents with health items, such as first-aid kits and digital thermometers.  Items we always need include:

• Baby gates
• Outlet covers
• Door knob covers
• Cabinet latches
• Refrigerator latches
• Digital thermometers
• First aid kits

Other Items

If you have other items to donate, there are community agencies that we often refer our families to who could benefit greatly from your donation:
 
Diapers: North Carolina Diaper Bank
 
Baby clothing and gear: Welcome Baby
 
Household items, children's clothing, and adult clothing: Durham Rescue Mission Thrift Store