~Donations brag~ SC'ers I'd love your help with ideas and deals :)

[CMB-LT]

Hi guys

So I just wanted to share, and also ask for some ideas because I am going on my first trip alone with my boyfriend of 5 years <3 and we have decided to go to Cuba in about 2 1/2 weeks! Spur of the moment trip! But I have a lot of family and family friends who have been there and I have heard that it's great and would like to put together donations for the local people.

My aunt goes probably twice a year, she has gone 9 times, and she told me all about the local people, and how little income they really make & how some people who actually work for the hotel are unable to accept the tips we bring them. She told me she visited a school, and put together a bunch of things to bring to the kids there! I think this is such a great opportunity to give back, especially as a new couponer, I started in May 2011 and have reaped many rewards from couponing. I have also started stockpiling only in June 2011 and have built up a fair sized stockpile to help out my family of 8, my boyfriends family, my grandma and all my aunts and family friends.

I admit, couponing has been extremely time consuming for me, as I am a student and work full-time but it has saved me so much money and I've really benefitted and saved my family alot. Having a family of 8 people, I know how sometimes money is tight and how families can struggle, and I try to help out my parents as much as I can, thats why I can understand if I think making ends meet is hard here, I can imagine how terribly hard times people may be going through in less developed areas where they aren't nearly as lucky to have close to half of the benefits and lifestyles that we do.. My aunt told me how she visited a school and how the kids were so excited with the few things she had, my uncle even gave them his brand new fishing rod And she told me how her and my cousin cried when they left because the kids and the people there were so nice and SO appreciative! It's really inspired me to do the same, and interacting with the local people would really be a great experience (I've always wanted to go on the Habitat for Humanity trips, but am always too busy throughout the school year, so I'd love to take this opportunity to give back)

From talking to all my family members who have similarly done the same thing when they have gone to Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico etc.. I wanted to help out other families. I have a lot of excess stuff in my stockpile already that I have put aside, but I was wondering if anyone has any other ideas..? I plan to hit up the dollar store for many school items: ie. pencils, pens, etc.. but for toiletries and more I'm looking for some coupons where I can get some great deals to bring with me!

* Paper (.25 at walmart)
*Other school items: ie pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners (dollar store)
*Shaving cream (5 full size, 0 travel size)
* Soap (I have 4 dove, but looking for irish spring coupons or ivory - if theres coupons for that?)
*Shampoo/Conditioner (don't have much shampoo, but have lots of dove conditioners)
*Toothpaste (3 colgate total, 3 pro-health, 2 sensodyne trial size)
*Razors (looking for bic coupons)
*Shoes (hoping to raid my 5 siblings closets and see if they still have some useable shoes, I know they'd love this)
*Bandaids (picked some boxes up from the dollar store)
*Pads (i'd love to bring some over but don't have any coupons, if anyone would like to trade.. stayfree/carefree $2 or always or whatever possible?)
*Deodorant (i have a few old spice and lady speedstick)
*Socks, hats, candy * Thanks wishingxstar
*Make up! (got some covergirl foundation & wetslicks)

Please feel free to give me plenty ideas!
I'm looking for small things I can pack and take with me, not too bullky, but relatively inexpensive so I can buy many of so I can give to more people Or any deals you know of which I can use some of my coupons for would be greatly appreciated!

[Wishingxstar]

For the kids you can bring some candy. That's pretty cheap and I'm sure most of them haven't tried or eaten alot of it and it'll make them REALLY HAPPY. You might wanna go to the dollar store and pick up some hats or visors? I imagine it's really hot there. Socks are also good, I imagine they don't have many pairs. I don't know if they have utensils for eating.. but the dollar store does have 3-pack of forks... knives and spoons for a dollar!

Hope this helps!

[CMB-LT]

Those are great ideas! Hats, socks and candy sound like great ideas! I also read about makeup for women. I bought a couple of the wetslicks from Wal-Mart from that promotion and a couple foundations from the dollar store, but I only have a few of each! Do you think they'd like that?

[Showtime]

thats realli generous of you!! theres also some old spice deodorant i saw @ dollarama! I have some later expiring oldspice coupys if you want them!!!!

[cath007]

I went to Guatemala and MExico in a student help trip maybe 4 years ago I can tell you bring clothes you are not wearing anymore....and we left our medication we dont need to their (costly there) , every toilettries and candy ,school supplie,stickers.coloring pencils, that kind of things...they have so little so they appreciate everything....hope that help!!!

[Wishingxstar]

Those are great ideas! Hats, socks and candy sound like great ideas! I also read about makeup for women. I bought a couple of the wetslicks from Wal-Mart from that promotion and a couple foundations from the dollar store, but I only have a few of each! Do you think they'd like that?

Definitely they'll like that~ I think sticking to stuff that we use day to day is what you should be looking for. If you wanna buy lollipops (those generic ones) Shopper Drugmart has these BIG bags on 50% off I think it'll only be like 1.99 now? Or 1.49 and The bag is really heavy I think it weights more than one and a half pounds worth. This bag is like 10 times what the ones at Dollarama are but so much cheaper!!

[pinkyts]

I know that when we've made boxes up for Operation Christmas child at my work some things we've included have been:

School supplies (staples/walmart/zellers might be cheaper than the dollar store right now with back to school sales)
colouring books /crayons
Toiletries (liquid ones might leak while traveling)
Work gloves/tools
Hats/socks
small toys (hacky sacks, small cars etc)
books (can find at dollar store)
Hard candies (gum etc can melt in the heat)

Plastic containers and reusable cloth shopping bags might be good ideas too

[pinkyts]

There's a printable stayfree coupon for $2.00 off

http://coupons.smartcanucks.ca/get/c...tayfree--3934/

[carlyincanada]

Good for you to help them out! We went to Cuba in 1983! wow, long time ago! lol & brought the kids chicklets, candy, pencils, paper. also gave our hotel mail some lipsticks & mini perfumes....they appreciate anything!!

BTW...bring your own toilet paper & wash clothes to use!! They don't seem to have the same as we do!!

Good luck & enjoy your holiday!!

[saveoneverything2011]

Maybe don't buy dollar store crayons and pencils.... they are awful. I think Staples has crayola for 80 cents a pks. Better to donate ones that last and can be shared than those awful ones that break and have no color to them.


I think the unwanted very good conditioned clothing is a good idea too. *I would be concerned about the weight of your items putting your allowed amount over for your suitcases though.* Doesn't take long for 40lbs to add up.

[CMB-LT]

Thanks guys! I'll update the list with your suggestions when I get home from work! I will probably pick up the lollipops today from sdm, I lost my optimum card with like 55,000pts - but they froze it for me so I have to get a new one! Also thanks for the tips for toilet paper!! I'll be sure to bring some!! Ill check staples for pencil crayons its near my gym, yay! Great ideas and thanks to everyone else who has pm'ed me with great deals and offered to send coupons


Also I have about 4 BOGO free cineplex passes from the Nestea boxes that expire aug 31 valid from Sunday to Thursday and I won't be able to use them all before I go - if anybody is able to help with donations I'm looking for a few 75 cent off any toothpaste, 2 dollar off covergirl, 2 dollar stayfree/carefree manufacturer coupon, any fpc pads or 2 dollar always liners, any 1 dollar + colgate, bic coupons, Irish spring coupons, any really great coupons where I can pick up some other great deals for the donation I'd be happy to give you a BOGO cineplex coupon just make sure you live near me so you receive it with enough time to use it

[schwarzie]

I have some Bic's coupons for you. $2 off 3 pack or larger of Bic Soleil Disposables X4 and $2 off 3 or larger Bic Flex4 shavers X2. If you PM me your address I will mail them to you right away.

[Rika]

when I went to Cuba for a wedding I brought the decorations... including a couple bags of tealights... we had them all lit for the wedding... did you know the maids asked us if they could have the little tin holders (they were empty) that the candles were in! I was shocked.. I gave them to them of course.. it might be heavy but a bag of tealights is pretty cheap

[2012cd]

when my sister went to cuba two years ago she left everything when she came back except things she bought there to bring home. She left her cloths tampons everything. She said she had never seen such appreciative people for something as simple as tampax. So I guess that is my suggestion tampons and pad .

[schwarzie]

I go to Mexico every year, and I take old shoes, old clothes etc. and give them to them when I leave. They also love sunscreen, I always leave mine behind, and razors, shave cream etc. If you are staying at a resort that stocks your shampoo, soap etc every day, hide what you use and they will refill. They love the personal care. They have beach vendors there, so I give some to them and as the maids are checked when they leave, I am fortunate that I speak Spanish. I meet them outside of the resort and give them what I have saved. Also! Don't forget to tip your maid! I typically tip the equivalent of $3-4 per day. That is theirs to keep.

I also give any doggy bags to the beach vendors and buy treats for the kids and hand them out. They love anything you are willing to do.