Will my Nintendo Wii fit into the donation envelope?

July 18, 2009 5:06 PM

What shall I do with a new but unwanted Nintendo Wii?

Without going into too much unnecessary back story, suffice it to say I now have a brand new Nintendo Wii that I have no intention of using, or even opening. I have no one in my immediate circle of friends and family that I can give it to, for various reasons (some wouldn't use it, others are too busy, some I don't know well enough to give a $300 gift, etc.), so I think I'd like to give it away. But how?

I think a charity or orphanage might appreciate it, but I'm not sure - I realize it's going to be an outdated console soon, and even if they had a Wii, they might not have the funds to purchase additional games. I'd definitely like to give it to someone deserving, but don't think I'm really in a position to be judging who's "deserving" or not. Any ideas regarding a group or organization that could actually make good use of a Wii? Bonus points if they're anywhere in Kentucky (I'm in Louisville).

(Also, I highly doubt this will be an issue, but this is not a pathetic attempt to sell the Wii, and I will not respond to any offers of money, kittens, bacon, etc., no matter how tempting.)

posted by pecanpies to human relations (17 comments total)

Children's ward at the nearest hospital.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 5:09 PM on July 18 [3 favorites]

What about nursing homes? I remember reading some news saying Wii improves their interests in exercising and also improves their moods.
posted by jstarlee at 5:09 PM on July 18

Auction it off and give the money to charity.
posted by fifilaru at 5:11 PM on July 18

A Wii won't be outdated anytime soon. Child's Play says there's a hospital in Louisville looking for game stuff. Maybe you can contact them directly and offer it.
posted by cmgonzalez at 5:13 PM on July 18 [2 favorites]

seconding a nursing or retirement home.

I also love the idea of turning it over to the nearest hospital. Our son recently went through 3 surgeries and they had an old outdated nintendo something or another in the surgical waiting area for the kids to play with. It was quite nice to have to play with and take his mind off the surgery (as well as entertaining our other two children as we waited). So, I guarantee it will be used there - by deserving people.
posted by Sassyfras at 5:13 PM on July 18

You could sell it and then give that money to a children's charity, or you could find a women & children's shelter in your town to donate it to. In my family we give all our spare video games, consoles, cellphones (very useful to women who need a phone their exes can't reach them on) to Martha House in Hamilton Ontario. They are always thrilled to get these items as the mothers & children who take shelter there often have to flee abusive homes with absolutely nothing. Having these kinds of toys at the shelter makes it easier for the children to feel comfortable, and consoles being out of date are never an issue. Most kids like many different consoles, new & old.
posted by zarah at 5:15 PM on July 18

Seconding the childrens hospital recommendations, see if you can find a Childs Play hospital near you and call them and see if they want it, or send an email to the childs play coordinator and ask if you can ship it to them.
posted by iamabot at 5:18 PM on July 18

There's a Shriner's hospital in Lexington that I'm sure would be happy to take it off your hands.
posted by jtfowl0 at 5:23 PM on July 18

It might be wecome in a battered women's shelter.To help keep the kids occupied/distracted.
posted by bonobothegreat at 5:31 PM on July 18

Thanks for the wonderful ideas & confirmation that yes, a Wii could be used at a shelter, charity, non-profit, etc. I love Child's Play - I've never heard of that organization, but what an awesome idea! I'll certainly be able to figure out what to do with this now.
posted by pecanpies at 5:37 PM on July 18 [1 favorite]

if it were me, child's play would be at the top of my list.
posted by nadawi at 5:37 PM on July 18

besides hospitals, consider youth centers/programs.
posted by HuronBob at 6:21 PM on July 18

Yup, hospitals sound like a great idea. If for whatever reason that route doesn't work, you could also look into places doing research with children. In the research program I work in, our kids (or their siblings) spend a fair amount of time hanging around our waiting room and our donated Gamecube is one of our biggest hits as waiting room pastimes go.
posted by Stacey at 6:42 PM on July 18

Special Education programs would really appreciate something like that, especially at the upper elementary/middle school level. I teach Special Education, and it's amazing how much I can utilize something like that in the classroom (and the kids absolutely love it). Maybe look into Life Skills programs, or resource classes...
posted by I_love_the_rain at 8:34 PM on July 18

Yay!
I like this thread.
Hospitals are such dour places,
especially for sick kids -
this is awesome.
Sometimes it's not just in the hospital's
budget for something like this.
Thanks for doing this.
posted by Sully at 11:58 PM on July 18

If it's not too late, I think you should veto the hospital children's ward. I spent a bit of time in hospital when I was 13, and a Sega Megadrive got me through the days when my family couldn't be there, but there is no way I could have used a Wii, and I think of the ten or so other kids I remember, maybe one of them would have had the range of movement required for Wii (I struggle with Wii now, as a functional adult) and even the Megadrive was a cause of resentment for a couple of them that couldn't be out of bed for long or at all.

However, I guess it would be good for keeping siblings/kids of visitors occupied.

I like the special education programme idea. Or raffle it off and donate the proceeds instead?

(Sorry - reading back over this post I sound like a grumpy old man who just wants to ruin everyone's fun.)
posted by doublehappy at 5:11 AM on July 19

A colleague of mine has a child who's deaf, and she struggles with balance problems. Apparently someone at the hospital seriously recommended a Wii Balance Board, and regretted that they couldn't prescribe it.

Seems you don't have a balance board, but you're at least half way to helping a deaf child (or several deaf children) improve their balance skills.
posted by emilyw at 10:36 AM on July 19