Cumming Goodwill Accepting Donations as Deadline Nears

The deadline is near for those looking to claim deductions for charitable donations. Saturday, Dec. 31, is the last day donations can be applied to the 2011 tax year.

Representatives from Goodwill of North Georgia are gearing up for what they say is their busiest week of the year. “We anticipate serving nearly 67,000 donors this week alone,” said Director of Public Relations Elaine Armstrong in a press release. “We encourage families to gather items now because with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to forget items you intended to donate.”

The organization has more than 100 locations where donors can give clothing, books, furniture and other household items. .

The organization also accepts unwanted computer equipment at its donation centers. Through a partnership with Dell, those items are recycled, keeping potentially harmful items out of landfills.

Because of the increase in activity at its facilities, Goodwill is reminding donors to double check what they plan to donate before leaving the house. “Our goal is to make the experience quick and easy for donors, so we will have additional staff on hand to help speed up the process,” Armstrong explains.

1. Make sure pockets, purses, briefcases, and suitcases are empty.

2. Goodwill cannot accept a few of these items: mattresses, large appliances, weapons, chemicals, and carpeting.

3. The nonprofit has a policy against selling torn, stained, and water-soaked items. (Shoppers look for quality items when visiting its stores.)

4. The Internal Revenue Service stipulates that taxpayers may claim a deduction for donated items that are in good used condition or better.

5. Be sure to delete any confidential or personal information before you donate a computer, cell phone or other electronic device.

6. Keep track of donated items, as you will need a list for taxes.

If you are considering a last minute donation, the Cumming Goodwill store is open seven days a week: Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

During the past year, Goodwill has added more than a dozen sites where North Georgians can donate. The nonprofit also launched a new location finder on its Web site, making it easy for donors to find their nearest location.

Visit the Goodwill of North Georgia Web site for more information.