NORTH CAROLINA -- There's only four days left to make end of year donations and write them off on your 2017 tax return.

Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina is one of many organizations accepting gently used items.

Goodwill shared the following "do's & don’ts of donating" for you to keep in mind:

Do:

  • Make sure that clothing is clean and electronics (toys, lamps, etc.) are in working order
  • Include any cords, remote controls or operating manuals if you have them
  • Check pockets of clothes, purses and bags for personal items. Don’t forget the insides of furniture drawers
  • Make a list tallying up your donations by item so you can accurately value items if you’re planning to claim a tax deduction
  • Get the family involved! Gathering donations for charity is a great way to teach kids about helping others and reducing waste by getting them to think about the kids who will be so happy to have new toys or clothes, for example. (It’s also not a bad idea to check with others in the household to make sure it’s okay to donate something.)

Don’t:

  • Don’t assume anyone collecting donations is doing so for a charity. Check out organizations online and make sure it’s reputable and will support a cause that’s important to you.
  • Don’t haul over items that the organization can’t accept, like large appliances, mattresses, CRT TVs or building materials.
  • Don’t donate items that aren’t clean and in good repair. Most charitable organizations don’t have the ability to launder donations.
  • Don’t stress about fitting a donation into your schedule – home pickups are available in some NC counties
  • Don’t forget your donation receipt! Take a picture with your phone and email it to yourself.