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Information will appear below
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About The BBBS Foundation
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What is Big Brother Big Sister?
Big Brother and Big Sister agencies have been providing mentoring services to Boston-area children for more than fifty years. Each little brother or sister is paired with an adult mentor—an invaluable opportunity for a one-to-one friendship. Local BBBS programs serve more than 5,000 children and their families.
What is the BBBS Foundation?
The BBBS Foundation is dedicated to supporting Big Brother Big Sister organizations in the Greater Boston area. Our mission is to raise money for these agencies by helping the community to "Clean Up Clutter For a Good Cause!" We send our fleet of trucks to 194 towns in Eastern Massachusetts and pick up gently used items at your doorstep—including resalable clothing, coats, jeans, and small household items and toys. The BBBS Foundation turns these items into cash, and then we donate up to 100% of net profits to Boston-area mentoring organizations.
How long have you been operating?
The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation has been picking up clothes since August of 1996, but local Big Brother Big Sister agencies have been serving children for more than fifty years.
Who do you support?
We donate up to 100% of the net profits from our sales to area mentoring organizations, including:
What happens to my donations? Do you give the clothing away to needy families?
No. When you donate clothing and other items to the BBBS Foundation, we sell your donations in bulk to thrift stores, like Savers. We then give the net profits to Big Brother Big Sister mentoring organizations in the Greater Boston area.
What percentage of the profits do the thrift stores give you?
We sell to thrift stores in bulk. We do not sell on a percentage basis.
What percentage of the money raised goes to the program?
100% of the net proceeds profits go to supporting Big Brother Big Sister mentoring organizations in the Greater Boston area.
Will the BBBS Foundation help programs in my town?
Yes. Every town in our service area benefits directly from any monies raised.
Are you sure it is okay for you to pick up these donations?
Yes. We are registered with the offices of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, and we have taken any necessary steps to comply with local police departments' requirements.
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Pick-Up And Drop-Off Information
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How do I schedule a pick-up?
You can schedule a pick-up online. Or call us at (800) 483-5503.
How do I know when you will be picking up in my area?
We travel throughout Eastern Massachusetts to pick-up donations. We will be in your area within the next 7 weeks. Click here to see our town/route schedule.
When will you be back in my area?
We will come to your area approximately every 7 weeks.
Where can I drop off my donation?
You can drop off a donation at any Savers store in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, or at one of our drop boxes. We have listed drop-box locations and Savers stores on our website.
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Acceptable Donation Items
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What items do you take?
We accept donations of: gently used clothing (for men, women and children), jeans, shoes, blankets, books (no encyclopedias, textbooks or magazines), clocks, curtains, dishes (must be packed for moving), fabric, irons, jewelry, knickknacks, pictures, pots/pans, purses, records, shoes, silverware, sporting goods (no skis or exercise equipment), stereos, CD players, toys (no large plastic toys or outdoor toys—toys should fit in a moving box), small rugs, and other small resaleable household items. Click here for a complete list of items we take.
What items don't you take?
We cannot take: air conditioners, batteries, box springs, mattresses, cots, building supplies, bicycles, cars, boats, car seats, charcoal grills, gas grills, exercise equipment, food, hazardous materials, large appliances (microwave size and bigger), magazines, encyclopedias, newspapers, organs, pianos, rug pads, sofa beds, space heaters, tires, water heaters, outdoor toys/outdoor furniture, halogen lamps, carpeting, computers or monitors, tools, skis/boots/poles, TVs, or suitcases. We cannot accept most infant items, including cribs, strollers, highchairs, car seats and playpens, because they are often recalled. Click here for a complete list of items we DO NOT accept.
What if I have a question about my Donation?
Please email us at donate@bbbsfoundation.org or call us at (800) 483-5503.
Do you pick up furniture?
We do pick up furniture (but not outdoor furniture) for most towns south of Boston. We're unable to accept furniture in areas north or west of the city. You must call and schedule an appointment specifically for furniture. Please call (800) 483-5503.
Do you accept yard sale, rummage sale, or thrift shop merchandise?
No, we can't accept items that have previously been tagged for sale.
I have an old car or truck that I would like to donate. Can you pick it up for me?
We don't pick up vehicles, but the national Big Brother Big Sister organization has a program called Cars for Kids. They will come to your house and tow away your car. The Cars for Kids phone number is 800-859-6526.
Can I donate cash?
Yes. Please make the check out to the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation and mail it to:
Big Brother/Sister Foundation
5 Mear Rd. Holbrook, MA 02343
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Pick-Up Day Information
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How do I pack my items?
All clothing should be placed in boxes or garbage bags and labeled BBBS. Dishes and any other breakable items should be packed in boxes as if you were moving. Small miscellaneous household items should be packed in a box, sealed, and labeled BBBS. In bad weather, place items in a plastic garbage bag, then tie the bag, label it BBBS, and turn the bag upside-down.
Where do I put my donation?
Your donation should be placed outside in a visible place. Examples include: front porch, front steps, side porch, back porch, sidewalk, driveway, by the garage, by the mailbox, in a lobby, or in a vestibule.
Will the driver come inside to pick up my donations?
No, our drivers are not permitted to enter homes. We ask that you have your items bagged or boxed and labeled BBBS. They should then be left outside at 7 am for the driver to pick up.
What time will my items be picked up?
Your donation will be picked up sometime between 7:00 am until dusk. Because our drivers stop at more than 100 houses per day, we cannot tell you the specific time when we will pick up your donation. Please place your donations outside by 7:00 am, as you may be our first stop. Again, please label your bags/boxes with BBBS so our drivers will take the correct bags.
What do I do if my donation was not picked up on the scheduled day?
Click here to email dispatch, or call (774) 776-7200 (the toll-free number is 800-483-5503) between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. Dispatch will identify the problem and reschedule your pick-up as quickly as possible.
Do you pick up in bad weather?
We do pick up in all types of weather, including rain and light snow. If driving conditions are unsafe or if there is a State of Emergency, we will cancel our pick-up routes for that day. If we cancel a route, we will call the people scheduled for pick-up and will reschedule as quickly as possible. You can also call our weather hotline at 774-776-7105. You can always come back to the site to check. We'll post cancellation notices on our homepage.
How soon will I be notified if there is bad weather?
This question is difficult to answer. It depends on how bad the weather is and how quickly our staff can come in to the office to make cancellation calls. We have over 1,500 people to call, and so it does take time to get to everyone. Thank you for your patience. You can also call our weather hotline at 774-776-7105. You can always come back to the site to check. We'll post cancellation notices on our homepage.
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Involvement Information
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I know someone else who would like to make a donation. Can you go to their house too?
We certainly can, if they live in our service area. Have them schedule a pick-up through our website or by calling (800) 483-5503.
How do I recommend a child to be matched with a mentor?
If you would like for your child to have a mentor, please call:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay: 617-542-9090
Big Sister Association: 617-236-8060
How do I become a mentor?
If you want to volunteer to mentor a child, please call:
Big Brother Big Sister of MA Bay: 617-542-9090
Big Sister Association: 617-236-8060
Can my office or civic group get involved in helping Big Brother Big Sister?
Yes! Offices and civic groups can organize donation drives to support our worthy cause. If you would like to organize a drive, please call us at 800-483-5503. Thank you for helping us as we help our community!
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