There are many talented, sincere professionals and public servants in Idaho.

Tammy Lorcher, Regional Administrator for the Idaho Youth Ranch , is one of those people.

Some friends and I run a literacy project that had donated thousands of books to deserving youth in Idaho over the last several years.

The thrift stores of the Idaho Youth Ranch are one of our recipient groups. During these years, we have consistently noticed a high level of competence, kindness, and professionalism from the Idaho Youth Ranch Staff.

Any wrongs are quickly righted.

These good experiences have happened under Tammy Lorcher's direction.

Do you have some items that have been sitting in your garage for a while? Are there some decent and new things cluttering your house?

Please consider donating these items to the Idaho Youth Ranch, an organization that believes that "one man's junk is another man's treasure."

However, some junk truly belongs at the landfill and not at their thrift stores. Please donate “gently used items” that are appropriate for resale at our thrift stores. One exception to this suggestion would be clothing, bedding, curtains and other items that can’t be sold, but can be recycled into use for rags. Their new Nagel Center distribution, sorting and recycling center has this capability—to recycle items that aren’t appropriate for resale into other useful items such as rags.

In addition to the Ranch at 1275 North 400 East, Rupert, ID semerson@youthranch.org, the Idaho Youth Ranch has five other residential homes that are in need of household goods and other items. If you would like to donate these items, please click on the home in your area to view the needs list. If you have questions, contact the home directly or call their main office in Boise at 877-817-8141.

Anchor House, Coeur d'Alene
208-667-3340

Discovery House, Nampa
208-467-1750

Emancipation Home, Boise
208-343-5370

Harbor House, Idaho Falls
208-529-6696

Hays Shelter Home, Boise
208-322-6687

TAX DEDUCTIONS

Donors are entitled to both a federal and state tax deduction for the fair market value of their contribution. Idaho taxpayers are, in addition, entitled to a tax credit for 50% of that value, up to a certain limit.

SCHEDULE A DONATION PICK-UP USING E-MAIL

You can arrange for donations to be picked up in the Boise area (Boise, Garden City, Meridian, Eagle and Kuna) by sending an email with a description of the items to be picked up. The Idaho Youth ranch will respond to your email with the specific pickup date. To maximize our efficiencies and help us save on the high cost of fuel, we encourage you to deliver small donations to the store closest to you, or to our new distribution center (Nagel Center) located at 5465 W. Irving Street in Boise near Saint Alphonsus and the I-184 Curtis Road exit. Your generous donations help at-risk youth and their families throughout Idaho.

Call for pickup at 208-345-6724 or e-mail thriftdesk.boisedist@youthranch.org

There aren't enough good things that can be said about the work of this organization.