FAQ
Clothing and Goods Donation FAQ
Where can I donate my stuff?
Items can be donated at any Savers store location (Two Madison locations and Eau Claire), at one of our bin locations and also at our Donation Center in Madison. We hope to have additional convenient locations throughout the state soon.
Does Easter Seals Wisconsin make house calls to pick up donations?
Yes. Please use the self-scheduler located here or call 1.877.208.5109 to schedule a pickup. Pickups for large items and furniture should be scheduled by calling rather than using the self-scheduler.
How does my donation benefit Easter Seals Wisconsin?
The proceeds from your donation will be used to provide vital and unique services to children and adults with disabilities throughout our state. Please visit our agency website to learn more about some of our services and programs. By working together, everyone wins and we divert approximately 5,000 tons of reusable clothing out of our local landfills annually.
How do I get a donation receipt?
Because Easter Seals Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, items donated to our pickup service are tax-deductible. If you received a yellow card in the mail, you can find the donation receipt on the back of the card. Simply fill it out, detach along the dotted line, and put it with your tax records. If you didn't receive a yellow card in the mail, you can get a donation receipt from the donation driver or you can print one here.
How do I prepare my donation for pickup?
Mark your bags or boxes with the letters “ES”. Our drivers are trained NOT to collect packages or items that are not so marked. Please have your donations bagged and/or boxed and curbside by 7:00 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled pickup. If inclement weather is expected, please take the necessary steps to ensure your donation is not damaged. If your pickup is scheduled on the same day as garbage day, please place your donation away from your garbage in a visible area where our driver can still see and retrieve it easily.
When will the truck come?
Our drivers begin their routes at 7:00 a.m. and continue until sundown, so your pickup could take place at any time during those hours.
How do I cancel a scheduled pickup?
Please call us at 1-877-208-5109.
How can I get furniture or other large items picked up?
Please call us at 1-877-208-5109 to schedule pickups for large items, including all furniture.
What kind of shape does my donation need to be in?
All items need to be in a clean and resalable condition for pickup. Clothing needs to be clean and ready for resale and there can be no tears, stains or rips in any furniture items.
Who do I contact about getting a bin placed at my business?
Please call us at 1-877-208-5109 and speak to our Director or Donor Relations Manager.
Can you pick up items located inside my house?
Unfortunately, our drivers are not allowed to enter residences.
Do you ever cancel routes?
We do everything we can to maintain our pickup schedule; however, there are times when severe weather makes it unsafe for our drivers to be on the road. In such cases, we will contact everyone who has scheduled a pickup to reschedule them.
Do I have to be home when they pick up my donation?
No. As long as the items are properly bagged/boxed and labeled "ES," no one needs to be there. However, if you are donating furniture or other large items, we request that you have someone available to assist the driver in loading the item(s) into the truck.
How do you determine the donation value of my items?
It is the responsibility of the donor to determine the value of the items donated. Clothing and household items donated to charity must be in good used condition or better in order to be tax deductible. It is the donor’s responsibility to keep a written record of the itemized list of the donation and the value. Easter Seals does not determine the fair market value of items donated, as our staff members do not list or confirm each individual donation. According to the IRS, these items should be valued at fair market value for a deduction.
Why don't I receive a yellow card in the mail?
There are areas of Wisconsin where Easter Seals does not do residential pickups. Please call us and we can determine if this is the case.
Why do I have to schedule a pickup?
We are asking our donors to schedule pickups so we can better service our donors and ensure your donation is received.
Who do I call if my items were not picked up?
Please contact our Donation Center at 1-877-208-5109.
Vehicle Donation FAQs
What can I donate?
We accept most vehicles and vessels including but not limited to: cars, trucks, trailers, boats, and RVs.
My car hasn't run in years. Can I still donate it?
Yes, we are able to accept most vehicles, running or not (exceptions include older vehicles whose value would not offset the cost of towing). To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete and submit our online donation form located here.
What do I need to donate my vehicle?
We would like the title to the vehicle, but if you do not have it, please call us anyway. It is possible that other arrangements can be made. You can reach us at 1-877-208-5109.
Can you pick up vehicles throughout the state?
Yes, we are able to pick up most vehicles throughout the state; however, the timeline depends on when we are in that area.
How will my car be picked up?
We will arrange to have your vehicle towed away by a professionally-licensed, bonded and insured towing company.
How long will it take to pick up my vehicle?
Once you have filled out our online donation form or called to notify us of your vehicle donation, we will arrange for a towing company to contact you within 3 business days. If you need your car picked up sooner, please let us know as we are oftentimes able to accommodate rush orders as well.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, Easter Seals Wisconsin is classified with the IRS as a non-profit charitable organization and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Individual tax situations vary, so please check with your tax professional to determine what, if any, tax benefit you may receive from your vehicle donation.
How does my deduction work?
The IRS allows you, the taxpayer, to claim a tax deduction of (a) the fair market value of your vehicle up to $500 or (b) if we sell the vehicle for more than $500 we will mail you a postcard with that value for your tax purposes.
How can I contact you to schedule a pick up?
Please complete and submit our online donation form or call us toll free at 1-877-208-5109.