The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones, creating memories, and celebrating the spirit of giving. For many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but for others, it can be a time of stress and uncertainty — especially when resources are limited.
This holiday season, Goodwill Central Coast invites you to spread a little extra joy by making holiday-themed donations that help brighten the lives of those in need.
Here’s how your donations can make a difference and bring hope to your community.
Why holiday donations matter
When you donate to Goodwill Central Coast, you’re doing more than simply giving away items you no longer need. You’re supporting our mission to provide job training, employment services, and community-based programs to individuals looking to improve their lives.
The holidays can be an especially difficult time for families struggling to make ends meet, and your donations help ease that burden.
With your generous contributions, we’re able to stock our stores with affordable items, ensuring that everyone has access to festive decor, warm clothing, and unique gifts for their loved ones. Plus, the revenue generated from sales goes directly to funding life-changing programs that empower local individuals to find jobs and thrive.
What to donate
As you deck the halls and prepare for your own holiday celebrations, consider setting aside items that can bring cheer to others. Here are some great donation ideas for the holiday season:
- Holiday decorations: Do you have extra string lights, ornaments, wreaths, or holiday-themed knick-knacks? Your festive decor could be just what another family needs to make their home feel warm and inviting. Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, holiday decorations are always in high demand during this time of year.
- Gently-used winter apparel: As the weather gets colder, many families will be searching for affordable options to keep warm. Coats, scarves, gloves, sweaters, and hats — especially in children’s sizes — are essential donations that can make a huge difference for individuals facing financial hardships.
- Toys and games: The joy of unwrapping a special gift on a holiday morning is an experience every child deserves. If you have gently used or new toys, board games, or puzzles, consider donating them to Goodwill Central Coast. These items not only provide entertainment but also help create lasting memories for children and their families.
- Gifts for all ages: If you’ve received a gift that isn’t quite your style or have new items still in their original packaging, donate them to GCC. From home goods to electronics, books to kitchenware, and beauty products to sporting equipment — there’s something for everyone. Your donation could help another person find the perfect present for a loved one.
- Holiday-themed clothing: Ugly Christmas sweaters, holiday pajamas, and festive accessories bring joy and laughter to holiday gatherings. If you have any seasonal clothing items that no longer fit your style, they could be a fun find for someone else this season!
How to donate
At Goodwill Central Coast we go to great lengths to make donating easy and streamlined. Simply gather your items and drop them off at one of our donation centers. Our friendly staff will be there to assist you and ensure your donations end up in the right hands — and out of landfills. Remember to check your local donation center’s holiday hours before stopping by, as times may vary.
GGC understands the need for convenience and has made it easier than ever to donate second-hand goods by offering 30 donation centers across Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties.
Drive-thru convenience
Among GCC’s 30 donation centers, six now feature drive-thru service, with more planned in the future. This added convenience allows donors to quickly drop off gently used items from the comfort of their car.
Donating through these centers not only helps people declutter but also supports Goodwill Central Coast’s mission to create sustainable job opportunities and strengthen local communities. The process is simple: look for the iconic “Smiling G” logo and the familiar blue and orange signage, then pull up to one of the centers where friendly attendants are ready to assist. They help with unloading, keep the areas tidy, and ensure that donations are secure from theft.
The following six donation sites offer convenient drive-thru service: Atascadero, 8310 El Camino Real #A, Atascadero; Marina, 266 Reservation Rd., Marina; Salinas – North Main, 1325 N. Main St., Salinas; Salinas Outlet, 1566 Moffett St., Salinas; San Luis Obispo Outlet, 880 Industrial Way, San Luis Obispo; Santa Cruz, 204 Union St., Santa Cruz.
Additional donation services
GCC is especially interested in donated clothing, shoes, housewares, small electrical items, and small electronics, and provides the following services:
- Free home pickups are available for large amounts of items (some restrictions apply). Those interested should send their address, telephone number and pictures of the items they would like picked up to donorservicessc@ccgoodwill.org.
- Free weekly or monthly pickup service from Businesses/schools/organizations (please contact donor services at 800-894-8440)
- Donation drives which can net an organization, school, club or nonprofit thousands of dollars are available this fall and the spring of next year in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties
- For donating high value items, call GCC donor services at 800-894-8440.
The gift that keeps on giving
When you choose to donate to Goodwill Central Coast, you’re not just helping someone find a great holiday deal — you’re giving the gift of opportunity. Every sale from our stores helps fund programs that provide education, job skills training, and support services for those in need. Your donations help us create a more inclusive and thriving community, one step at a time.
This holiday season, let’s come together to make it brighter for everyone. Whether you’re clearing out space to make room for new gifts or simply spreading cheer, your donations to Goodwill Central Coast will make a lasting impact on the lives of your neighbors.
