Recycle Old Phones, Clothes and Coats; Donate New Toys This Christmas

Are you buying a new winter jacket? Did your kids get duplicate toys this year? Did Santa bring you a new cell phone?

If you have items you’d like to toss but aren’t sure what to do with them, a number of collections are taking place in Mentor and many of these items can be put to good use.

If you just updated or your wardrobe and have coats or other clothes you no longer need, donations are always being collected at the local Salvation Army Thrift Store on 7000 Heisley Road.

Similarly, many of you may have received new cell phones this year. Instead of tossing your old one away, consider giving it to Cell Phones for Soldiers.

Finally, we get to toys. Maybe your child received two of the same gift. Maybe they're just feeling generous. Well the local Marines Toys for Tots Foundation is always accepting gifts.

Even if it's too late to donate the gift for Christmas, it will not go to waste.

As Timothy Sherman -- the man who organizes the local Toys for Tots effort -- said, "Every toy we get finds a home."

Toys -- they have to be new for safety reasons -- can be brought year round to Gunny's Hall on 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor

Is your organization collecting donations this holiday season? Let us know. Leave a note in comments or e-mail me at jason.lea@patch.com.