We've all received a present that we've not really liked, so we "regifted" it to someone else. Yes, it's true. Admit it. You've done it, too.

Well, not crazy about the sweater you received from Aunt Martha this year? How about the "unusual" wall sculpture from Grandpa Frank? Well, as they say, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Instead of regifting them to an unsuspecting friend or acquaintance, why not regift them to your local GCF Donation Center & Store?

Goodwill accepts clothing, household items, and toys - even those holiday gifts that weren't quite right. Donations are sold in 29 GCF Donation Centers and Stores throughout Eastern North Carolina. Revenues from our stores fund our jobs and job training in our GCF donation centers and stores throughout Eastern North Carolina, our training program for high school students with disabilities, our Nature Program for adults with disabilities and our free GCFLearnFree computer, technology and life-skills training available on the Internet at www.GCFLearnFree.org.

Donation Dos:

Wash or dry-clean clothing.

Test electrical equipment and battery-operated items.

Donation Don'ts

Leave items unattended outside a GCF Donation Center and Store®. Donate only during business hours.

Donate broken or soiled items.

Give items that have been recalled, banned, or do not meet current safety standards. For more information, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Donors interested in claiming tax deductions should keep itemized lists of their donations. The Internal Revenue Service allows a deduction for each item, but the donor determines each item's value. Generally, an item's value should be based on fair market value - what the item would sell for in a thrift store. GCF donation centers and stores provide receipts to each donor.

Becky Lytle

Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina

Durham