generous donations of clothing, household goods, books and more, and indeed they are extremely grateful for it, but all are experiencing problems with these gifts. Since the thrift shops depend on volunteers to help with the sorting and preparation of goods for sale, the following guidelines will help to make their work easier. Please: Wash and iron, or dry clean clothing before donating. Thrift shops do not have the facilities or labour to do it for you.

Wash china, household items, baby gear and bric-a-brac before donating.

Similarly, remove mould, dust, cobwebs, roach droppings and eggs. It is also helpful if silver and copper items are shined. Remember, the better it looks, the better it sells.

Items which are broken, rusty, missing parts, or don't work will not sell.

Please discard them yourself.

Do not donate electrical items which are faulty. To do so is dangerous. Either repair them before you donate them, or throw them away.

Thrift shops do not sell major appliances. Use the classifieds, or take them to the dump.

Do not donate mattresses, box springs, or large items of furniture. There is no room to store or display them. Use the classifieds instead.

Use proper collection days to drop off you goods. Do not leave them piled up on the doorstep. Your co-operation means that they won't be vandalised or rain damaged and end up at the dump.

Don't donate clothing which is out of season. Due to lack of storage, it will be discarded.

Do not donate food, liquor, medicines or sanitary products. Thrift shops don't sell them.

Check with the shops to see if they need clean paper and plastic bags to put sold items in. If they do, it really helps if you fold them neatly before delivering.

Following these simple guidelines will make the work of the wonderful volunteers who run thrift shops much easier, reduce trucking costs for unsaleable items, and best of all, increase the funds they make for charity.