would free carseats and strollers be usefull?

Question

im starting a new charity in my area that provides carseats and strollers to needy moms and dads in my area. so far ive had good return with donations, and am about do my first carseat drive. do you think this will take off and people will have a need for this? you would think somthing like this already exsits. but it doesnt. just booster seats. and there are some ways to get one but its very diffecult for most people. i will provide strollers as well, and be a resource for other needs, such as food and clothes. so what do you think? am i wasting my time, or will this be a succses?

Answer 1

Absolutely.

Answer 2

Oh it will definitely take off. Just make sure you have a way of checking that they cant afford a car seat. Its definitly something someone would want to take advantage of.

I'd call your local news channel, not to toot your own horn, but to get the information out there, its really the best way to.

Ive known a few people who had, or were having babies and simply couldnt swing the price of a car seat at the the time, and its one of those things you just have to have.

Its an excellent charity you're pulling together. I think you should also hook up with your local law inforcement office, they can help with fund drives, because this sort of thing is right up their alley.

If you havent already you should register yourself as a not-for-profit organization, and get your tax papers for recieving in-kind donations and being a tax deductable entitiy. Then people who donate can get refund on their taxes, and it makes you a legally legit organization. Its not hard to do at all.

I was setting up a child care service in the same manor, for people who couldnt afford it. I looked into all of it, and you'd be aamzing how much it boosters your donations, and saves you money on taxes and other things. It makes just about everything you buy tax deductable. Like, in most cases, when you take those donations to the store to buy the carseats, you wouldnt have to pay tax on them.

its really useful.

Answer 3

I think it would be a great success! Great Job doing what you're doing! We really need to do something like that around here. I'm not trying to "steal" your idea but I might look into doing something like that for our area. We have nothing like that and there are so many needy parents right now. There's a girl I know that was having a baby about 6 months ago and had nothing. I just went around to garage sales and thrift stores and got her some things and gave her what I got double at my baby shower because I was pregnant aswell. There's nothing like that here anymore. My mother in law said there was years ago, but they left. I am sure it will be a great success and once people realize you're doing it for a good cause the carseats and strollers will probably keep rolling in! Good Luck with everything.

Answer 4

I think that is a great idea! Car seats and strollers can really cost a good amount and many times because of lack of funding people may be purchasing ones that are not the best option for their child's needs but it is all that they can afford. Plus once people are through using their car seats I think that being able to donate them somewhere would be a great cause.

Same thing with strollers, I've got friends who have strollers sitting in their garages that haven't been used in a few years but they have yet to do something with them.

Go for it, some needy families will be very appreciative of what you are going to do! What city is this in?

Answer 5

Free is always good. But car seats shouldn't be reused, especially if they've been in an accident, don't have original installation instructions or are more than 2 years old. Even the car seat manufacturers will tell you that. It may leave you liable if the car seat doesn't hold up in a crash. Be sure to check w/ a lawyer first.
I just witnessed a minor accident, hardly any damage to the vehicles, but the lady was standing outside the car, holding the child still in the car seat. It was broken in half, obviously very used (you could tell by the oxidation of the plastic from the sun exposure). I cringed, her car was still drivable only minor dents in the back fender.

Answer 6

I think you'll have a good outcome. Those things are expensive. You should have the car seats checked out by your police department beforehand to ensure that they are still safe. Also. Wherever you get the car seats from, be sure to ask if they were ever in a car that was in an accident. I'm not sure about your state but in Michigan. Any car seat that was in a car at the time of a crash is to be disposed of because it could have internal parts broken and is no longer safe for use. Good Luck with your charity and Merry Christmas.

Answer 7

It is a great idea! Anything that promotes carseats is a great thing!

Are you only accepting new seats though?? Used seats are not recommended- car seats have expiration dates, and if they are in an accident they are no longer considered safe for use- so I would strongly recommend not taking used seats as you never know how safe they are!

Your idea is wonderful and I think it will be a great asset to your community!

Answer 8

hon, what u re doing is a wonderful thing. especially at this time of year. for example....i just took my son to ER yesterday....he's just shy of needing a new carseat, but we cant really afford a new one right now...my fiance' missed work last wk for being sick, my son now has a $3,000 or more bill from ER for being sick (he's 8mnths old), takes breathing treatments every 4 hrs now, and being xmas......things like this happen to people all the time...even if they normally could afford a new carseat....things happen..... I hope this works out well for you. I see it going good and getting good raves. Keep up the good work and GOD will repay you some day.

Answer 9

If there isn't such a service in your area, I think it will be a very useful one and it should be a great success. Many people with new babies should be in need of these things and they are expensive items. Good luck with your charity.

Answer 10

It will be a success. Just make sure all the car seats you take in have never been in an accident. It ruins their integrity. I think it is awesome you are doing something to make life a little better for people. WTG... and may God bless you for what you are doing.