Holidays 2012: Recycle Lights, Phones and Coats; Donate New Toys

Are you buying a new winter jacket? Do you have holiday lights that no longer work? 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 Sarasota and items can be dropped off right at various Goodwill locations. 

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One collection seeking new items and not used ones is Toys for Tots. New, unwrapped toys are being sought for children in the area. You can drop them off at City Hall, Kmart, Insignia Bank among other locations found at www.toysfortotssarasota.org/.

If you have coats you no longer need, donations are being collected through The Salvation Army.

Cell phones piling up because you have the newest and best that technology has to offer? Drop off used cells at Safe Place and Rape Crises Center.

Have old holiday lights that no longer work? Maybe you switched colors or swapped old lights for LED ones? Whatever the reason, if you have lights that you're not hanging this year, the wiring can be recycled at various scrap metal yards in Sarasota.

Is your organization collecting donations this holiday season? Let us know. Leave a note in comments or e-mail Associate Regional Editor Linda Hersey at linda.hersey@patch.com.