Cleaning Out a Loved One's Home: Where to Donate Stuff

Bequeathing extra items to charity is a constructive way to honor a loved one's memory.

Carol M. Baldwin (1929–2022), breast cancer fundraiser and mother of four movie stars

Carol M. Baldwin was the founder of the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund and the mother of actors Alec, Stephen, Billy, and Daniel Baldwin.

Ken Kragen (1936–2021), organizer of “We Are the World” and Hands Across America

Ken Kragen was a music manager and TV producer who organized the famous “We Are the World” and Hands Across America charity events in the 1980s.

Frank Shankwitz (1943–2021), Make-A-Wish Foundation cofounder

Frank Shankwitz was a former Arizona Highway Patrol officer who co-founded the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Giving Tuesday Spotlight: Funeral Service Foundation

Tuesday, December 1, is Giving Tuesday, a day when we’re asked to step back from the shopping that dominates the days after Thanksgiving and do some good with our dollars. You might have a favorite charity to support on Giving Tuesday – or maybe you’re donating to a loved one’s favorite charity in their memory.

Pat Quinn (1983–2020), Ice Bucket Challenge co-founder

Pat Quinn was an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) activist who co-founded the viral Ice Bucket Challenge fundraiser.

Christopher Pendergast (2020), ALS Ride for Life founder

Christopher Pendergast helped start the annual ALS Ride for Life, which raises funds to find a cure, after his diagnosis with the disease. 

William Gates Sr. (1925–2020), philanthropist and father of Bill Gates

William Gates Sr. was a lawyer and philanthropist who was the father of Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates.

13 People Whose Memories Honor the Fight Against Drunk Driving

( Sponsored Content | MADD )

Vera Clemente (2019), widow of baseball legend Roberto Clemente

Vera Clemente was the widow of baseball legend Roberto Clemente who was a 15-time All-Star outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roberto Clemente was killed Dec. 31, 1972, in a plane crash while en route to Nicaragua to deliver supplies to earthquake victims. After his death, Vera continued his humanitarian work as the chairwoman of the Roberto Clemente Foundation. Roberto and Vera married in 1964 and had three sons, Roberto, Luis, and Enrique.

Patrick Campbell (2019), rock and roller raised money for Thanksgiving dinners

His band raised enough donations to feed thousands in need.

Narayana “Grandpa Kitchen” Reddy (2019), YouTube star cooked for orphans

Narayana Reddy was a YouTube star known as Grandpa Kitchen, whose viral videos showed him cooking massive meals for orphans in his community near Hyderabad, India.

8 Helpful Child Grief Awareness Resources

Grief can bring adults to their knees. Imagine then the struggle of the who will experience the death of a parent before they graduate high school. That number doesn't include those who experience the death of a close family member or friend.

Meet the CNN Hero who's helping kids through their grief

Mary Robinson's Imagine provides grief support for children whose loved ones have died.

Should I Make a Memorial Donation?

Flowers have traditionally been the most common sympathy gift. But today, more and more people are choosing to make a memorial donation instead of or in addition to sending flowers to grieving friends.

How (and Why) to Make a Charitable Bequest

Here's how you can leave a philanthropic legacy to benefit an organization you care about.

Richard Proudfit (1929–2018), founder of Feed My Starving Children charity

Richard Proudfit founded Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a Christian non-profit organization that sends nutritious meals to hungry children worldwide.

Todd Bol (1956–2018), founder of the non-profit Little Free Library

Little free libraries are on front lawns in 88 countries.

Hurricane Michael Victims (2018)

At least 26 people have died from the storm

Claire Wineland (1997–2018), inspiring speaker lived with cystic fibrosis

Founded a charity to help others suffering from the disease.

Where to Donate a Loved One’s Clothes

Many charities specialize in getting the most good out of certain kinds of clothing.

Giving Tuesday: How to Keep Your Loved One's Legacy Alive

Honor their memory by supporting a good cause in their name.

POW-MIA: You Are Not Forgotten

On POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor missing American service members and their families.

Greater Than Heroin: Battling Ohio's Opioid Epidemic

In the state hardest hit by opioid deaths, the community is fighting back.

How Can I Honor Fallen Veterans Before & After Memorial Day? 4 Ideas

Memorial Day is a particularly American holiday tradition, one that embodies what’s been described as our nation’s “secular civil religion.” That is, while Americans don’t all share the same religious beliefs, historically we have shared a sacred respect for citizens who devote their lives to the service of the national good. Those who sacrifice their lives in defense of the nation are traditionally honored as the noblest among us.

Tony Martell (1926–2016), T.J. Martell Foundation founder

Music executive who founded the T.J. Martell Foundation for leukemia research.

How Do I Start a Memorial Fund?

On #GivingTuesday, pay forward a loved one's legacy and help those in need by starting a memorial fund.

Featured Charity: Active Minds Inc.

Alison Malmon, founder and Executive Director of suicide prevention nonprofit Active Minds Inc., shares thoughts on why lifting the stigma surrounding mental health issues is vital (especially for young adults).

Comfort Zone Camp Creates Helpers

Comfort Zone's bereavement camps do more than help children cope – they change lives.

Wishes Granted at the End of Life

If you're touched by the mission of Make-a-Wish, we think you'll appreciate Twilight Wish Foundation, making dreams come true for elders nearing the end of life.

Charity Spotlight: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Donate to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Give to Remember December.

Charity Spotlight: StoryCorps

Donate to StoryCorps for Give to Remember December.

Charity Spotlight: Final Salute, Inc.

Donate to Final Salute, Inc. for Give to Remember December.

Female Veterans Helping Female Veterans

Nichole Alred served six years in the Army as a diesel mechanic. Her experience in Iraq changed her life forever.

Parents Give Away $100K in Daughter's Memory

For two-and-a-half years, Larry and Carrie Carroll shared special moments with their daughter, Savannah. Then in April 2014, Savannah went to sleep with a slight fever, and never woke up.

Remembering Diem Brown

Reality TV star Diem Brown became a passionate advocate for cancer prevention and patients' rights, sharing her own struggle with the disease.

Teen Behind #TeamAlex Dies at 16

Over the past year, you may have seen #TeamAlex pop up somewhere in your Facebook or Twitter newsfeeds, maybe alongside #NoOneFightsAlone and photos of people wearing "Team Alex" T-shirts or dressed all in gray. These messages of support were all inspired by a New Jersey teenager, Alex Munoz, and his battle with cancer.

Ice Bucket Challenge Honors Gehrig's Legacy

The phenomenon known as the #ALSIceBucketChallenge has spread to all corners of the social media world.

Adam Frey: Champion On and Off the Mat

We look at the legacy of wrestler Adam Frey, a true champion on and off the mat.