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Frequently Asked Questions:

What can I donate?  

We encourage you to donate New or very gently used clothes, shoes and coats.

Do you only want clothes and shoes?

No, we could also use: New or Mint Condition Toys, Dolls, Sports Equipment, Books, Movies,

Games, Lego's and other Building sets, working electronic items for kids (Game boy/PSP/Playstation/etc.).  

Are there any restrictions with clothing and shoe donations?

Yes!  Please make sure that if your clothes are very gently used that you check them over for any stains, rips, tears, missing buttons, broken zippers or other marks and must be from a non-smoking household.  We want the kids to feel like they are shopping at a retail outlet!   All clothes, unless new, must be freshly laundered and folded.  Sorry, we don't have the volunteer manpower yet to wash and fold the clothes and sort thru garbage bags.    If you want a receipt, you mush attach your name, address and phone number to the donated bag or box of clothes.  If you can list the sizes on the outside, that would really help with the sorting process.    Please note that we will be removing all tags from new clothes to prevent returns to local department stores and some clothes will also be marked to prevent returns. 

Are there any restrictions on donating other items?

Great Question!  The answer is yes.   This sale is for kids!   At this time we are asking that all toys be in mint or new condition, all games have all pieces, books are nice and not colored in or marked up, movies, computer games, Xbox games, playstation games are G or PG only, Dolls and stuffed animals have all parts and maybe an extra baggy of clothes and accessories.   Remember, this first sale is to get a good monetary foundation in place to start purchasing necessities for our James Monroe Elementary kids.  We are not selling computers, motorcycle parts, car pieces, lamps, furniture or appliances!  Note that any donations of electronics, DVD's, CD's, Handheld games will be at a special table and those items need to be purchased and tagged at that table.  If you are donating something that takes batteries, please be kind and put new ones with the package.  We will test all items before selling.  No broken items will be accepted or sold.  What's the fun in nonworking games and toys?

Is that all?

Well, now that you mention it, you need to have someone sign in your donation, no dumping allowed!   If the items are not in good condition, I'm sorry but they won't be accepted.  Remember, this program is meant to raise kids' self esteem, not depress them!

Are there any restrictions on buying items?

The sale is going to be Private PTA event and is only open to JME families so that we can concentrate at this point on helping immediate families.  Because we have such strict criteria on the clothes we will accept, we may be limited in the quantity of items we get in, so there will be a maximum number of items families may purchase.    We do ask you to remember that we want all the families to have a fair share at the great clothes and shoes you will be donating, so please check out our wardrobe page  for ideas.    We want to collect as much money as possible to outfit kids in need throughout the school year.  There are no 'holds' allowed.  I'm sorry if you forgot your checkbook at home, but you have to pay then and there.  No refunds allowed on this sale.  On future private sales this issue will be addressed.  (Oops..if you write a check and it bounces, you will receive a $10.00 returned check fee and all future purchases will have to be in cash as well as paying cash or money order for the original items and the fee.)    ***  Please remember that we are trying to help families NOT assisted thru other outreach programs and that are currently experiencing financial hardship due to the economy, income (or loss of) or from personal situations. 

Can I bring a friend?

This sale is only open to JME families.  If you have friends with kids in other schools, have them contact me about getting more information on setting this up with their PTA.

What about the people who are shopping at the sale that don't go to our school?

Please contact me or another person in charge and we will politely and respectfully inform them that this sale is private to only the families in the school and refer them to some other great shopping locations. 

Wow, I love deals and even if I make a good living, can I come buy stuff?

Well you can, but really, if you have extra money wouldn't you feel better about life in general if you come in an buy an outfit that we can donate to a child in need and make their day a little brighter?   Tell you what, how about if we try and have some fun drawings for prizes that you can enter and let's keep the clothes for the families that really need to save their money and they we all have a great time! 

Will you have dressing rooms?

Not really.  You are welcome to try on in the bathroom if available,  but please return all unwanted items to the original tables/racks where you found them and not on the bathroom floor. That's just kind of yucky.   

Hey, this sounds like fun, when are you going to do this again?

I'm glad to hear that and  I hope everyone feels this way because if this sale goes well, in the future we will do this twice a year. Once will be for fall/winter clothes and accessories and the 2nd will be for spring/summer clothes and items.   If we can get lots and lots of people to participate, then we can make this a huge success.  Remember, we will accept donations from you, your family, friends, neighbors, collections taken up at work!   Oh I almost forgot; if you donate money then check with your employer as they may have a program where they match funds.  Hey, that would be nice wouldn't it?!  Just don't forget to ask us for a tax receipt. 

Hmmm, I can't think of anything else right now but what do I do if I have more questions or want to volunteer?

Email or call me and I would be happy to answer any and all questions, arrange to pick up items from you, shop for specific items you want to donate, whatever!  If you want to volunteer I would be eternally grateful and will get all mushy when I see you in person. (We want to keep this program running solely on volunteer help, to keep this salary free so that 100% of profits go back into the program for the kids.)

 I will add more questions and answers here as I get them, so feel free to keep checking back.  If you've got some great ideas, then please let me know those too!  This is my first time and I'm really open to some positive suggestions.  I really don't like negative stuff, but If I kind of messed up something, let me know so that I don't do it again the next time around!

Please go to the contact page for more information on how to find me.