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Lead Toys Get Charities Grinchy

Checking endless recall lists saps limited resources for many

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2007 2:04 PM CST
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(Newser) – Rampant toy recalls are putting a real cramp in the holiday spirit at many charities, MSNBC reports. Toy drives must devote so much manpower to checking donations against lists of lead-contaminated recalls that many have stopped the Santa act entirely. “You don’t know what you’re getting, you really don’t,” said one Salvation Army manager. “So we just throw them all away.”

Toys often come without their original packaging, so volunteers have to hunt around for product numbers. Contaminated toys can’t just be discarded either—lead is a hazardous material, governed by federal guidelines. But some charities are powering through. “Kids are going to want toys regardless of any lists or warnings,” said a New York Salvation Army exec.

A Chinese toy vender looks after a store at a toy wholesale market in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong province, Tuesday, Aug. 28 2007. Recalls on China-made toys are hurting charities this holiday season. (AP Photo/Color China Photo)
A Chinese toy vender looks after a store at a toy wholesale market in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong province, Tuesday, Aug. 28 2007. Recalls on China-made toys are hurting charities this holiday...   (Associated Press)
A child plays with toys in a department store in Beijing Tuesday Aug. 28, 2007. China launched a nationwide campaign to weed out unqualified toy makers in the wake of a massive worldwide recall of Chinese-made toys. Those recalls are shutting down toy drives across the country. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
A child plays with toys in a department store in Beijing Tuesday Aug. 28, 2007. China launched a nationwide campaign to weed out unqualified toy makers in the wake of a massive worldwide recall of Chinese-made...   (Associated Press)
A woman looks through toys collected to help fire victims in San Diego.
A woman looks through toys collected to help fire victims in San Diego.   (Getty Images)
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Chinese toys • toy recalls • Christmas • lead tainted toys • Salvation Army

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