From personal compact disc players to bicycle helmets to cookware to linens to recordings to artwork to computers, your stuff can probably find a new home with a local charitable organization if it meets the criteria. But giver beware. If you're looking to get a tax break near to what you paid for an item, you'll be disappointed. Prepare to knock off as much as 80 percent of the purchase price to find the fair market value, which is the amount you're able to deduct from your taxes. Which means you may have to shop them a bit yourself.
Most charities leave it entirely up to the giver to fill in the value of an item on the tax receipt.
If you're donating a high-dollar item, you may want to get an appraisal. When it comes to whom to give your stuff to, check around. It collects items mainly from businesses but also from individuals. The items are then donated to United Way agencies, either for their use or the use of their clients. Call Mark Stump, 267-1321, first to make sure the item can be used.