Get Into The Christmas Spirit & Donate Your Pre-Loved Possessions To These NGOs

An award-winning social enterprise, Goonj is focused on addressing basic needs that are ignored in slums and across rural India. They are a pan-India organisation that has been working in this field for nearly two decades and have a built their name by successfully creating channels for giving from those that have to those that need. 

An ISO certified NGO registered in 1983, Udhavum Karangal literally translates to Helping Hands in English. What initially started as a guidance and counselling centre by Shri Vidyaakar, is now a fully-fledged organisation that provides a home to the people society has turned its back to. They provide medical aid, psychological support and even education in a school they run that is approved by the Tamil Nadu Government. They take care of over 2000 destitute people in their homes, and they need all the help that they can get.

Samiti for Education, Environment, Social and Health Action dubbed Seesha, is a relatively new organisation in comparison to the previous two. They are also a pan-India, ISO certified non-profit organisation started in Chennai and their work spans across fields. They care for the poorest of the poor right from the elderly to children, women, specially-abled and even those affected in natural disasters through a variety of programs.

“Helping Hearts Home” is the literal translation of Udhavum Ullangal which is a Chennai only, government-recognised organisation that provides a home for orphan children. In addition to a home, they provide food, medical attention and basic schooling for the children.

A slightly different entry into this list, Ayyamittu Unn (“Share food with those who need before you eat”) is a community fridge that you need to show your mother, for all the times that she’s yelled at you to finish your food. Started as a measure to give food that would have otherwise been wasted to those that need it, Ayyamittu Unn functions as a donation centre that accepts more than just food.

The way it works is that you go there and donate surplus food or any other items. They are then entered into a register by the overseeing watchman and are finally made available to those that need them. This initiative was started by The Public Foundation.

Started in 2003, Sri Arunodayam is home to numerous mentally challenged children. Several children here also have serious medical conditions and require constant care and attention. At the home, the children are nurtured, given psychiatric care and physiotherapy. Vocational training and special education are given to encourage them to take part in social activities, at their own pace. Donating books, clothes or food can make a child’s day at this organisation.

This non-profit organisation located at Ambattur is dedicated to promote the living conditions of challenged community by providing special education, rehabilitation services and vocational training. Through their services, they aim to create awareness and empower the mentally challenged community.

Smile Foundation is involved directly in benefiting over 750,000 children, including their families across the country. This NGO has access to numerous remote villages and slums in every state in India. With a firm belief that education is the most powerful tool for social transformation, Smile helps children with healthcare, education and by aiding and supporting their families. Textbooks, notebooks and used clothes will be of great help to a child being taken care of at this organisation.

This charity platform has been working with disadvantaged elderly for more than 40 years. HelpAge organises numerous healthcare programs through its mobile healthcare units across India and aims to helps senior citizens live an active, healthier lives. The organisation also runs an active elder helpline, providing relief and rehabilitation during disasters. 

This NGO runs a web-based platform for us to donate a wide range of items from books, shoes, toys, computers to bicycles, sanitary pads and household goods. Simply register on this platform and choose what kind of item you like to donate and you will be assisted with the rest of the procedure. Donations are also picked up at your door-step and given to underprivileged kids and families. Feel good this Christmas as you donate old items from your house and bring joy to another family.