Generous friends often ask what the survivors we serve and their children need most. The answer varies from family to family. The best way to support Transition House families directly is with gift cards to area stores. Gift cards offer our program participants the power to choose items they and their children need most. For people who have experienced the trauma of abuse, that freedom is a very important part of the recovery process. We encourage you to partner with friends and purchase gift cards in denominations of $25 to the retailers suggested below. Gift cards can be mailed to:
Gift card suggestions
- Shaws, Market Masket, Whole Foods (most urgently needed)
- Target
- CVS and Rite Aid
- Macy’s
- Marshalls / TJ Maxx
- Monthly T passes and pre-paid Charlie Cards
- Tags Hardware
Gift cards for other services and opportunities are welcome as well:
- Movie theaters
- Gas stations
- Taxi vouchers
- Pre-paid Verizon cell phone minutes
- Museum memberships and passes
- Zipcar
- Gym or YMCA memberships
For those who wish to make a tanglible purchase to support those we work with, new linen and bedding for adults, children and babies are always in demand. When individuals and families move into our shelter or longer term housing programs, they are greeted with a pleasantly decorated room of their own, fresh linens on the bed and a basket of toiletries to start them off.
We urgently need
- New Hypo allergenic comforters in twin and full sizes (bright solid colors)
- Twin and full size metal bed frames
- New 100% cotton sheet sets in twin, full and crib sizes (light, solid colors)
- New standard size hypoallergenic pillows
- New 100% cotton towels (wash cloths, hand and bath towels in light, solid colors)
Local services we need on a regular basis
- Dry cleaning
- Secure storage for client furniture as they await permanent housing
- Help with residential moves (movers and truck for one or two small jobs/month)
Items we can only accept new
- Backpacks, diaper bags
- Umbrellas
- Full size toiletries hypoallergenic body wash. shampoo, moisturizer, wipes, tooth paste, toothbrushes, dental floss)
- Disposable diapers in ALL sizes (open boxes your baby has outgrown are fine)
- 100% cotton twin, full and crib size sheet sets, blankets and comforters (hypoallergenic fill)
- Standard size hypoallergenic pillows
- Towels
- Bike helmets for adults and children
Items we sometimes accept very gently used (please call or email us first: 617.868.1650 or info@transitionhouse.org)
We sometimes need gently used furniture, electronics, bicycles and kitchen supplies. Please contact us before bringing your donation, as we have very limited storage space. We ask for your consideration in donating only high quality, thoroughly clean, new and very gently used items. Please understand that we can not accept used bedding, towels, mattresses or stuffed toys.
- PC desktop computer, laptops and monitors (not more than 2-3 years old, must be fully functional and have fast processors) Please remove your data.
- iMac computers not more than 3 years old must be fully functional with fast processors. Please remove your data.
- Living room, office, kitchen and bedroom furniture
- Office furnishings, such as high quality folding training tables, folding chairs and ergonomic desk chairs
- White noise machines
- Radio alarm clocks
- Cell phones
- Digital cameras
- Bicycles, locks and panniers
- Recent model strollers and jogging strollers
Thank you so much for your generosity and your interest in our work.
