Holidays 2012: Recycle Lights, Phones and Coats; Donate New Toys

Are you buying a new winter jacket? Do you have holiday lights that no longer work? Did your kids get duplicate toys this year? Did Santa bring you a new cell phone?

If you have items you’d like to toss but aren’t sure what to do with them, a number of collections are taking place in Dedham and items can be dropped off right at The Goodwill Store, 678 Centre St. in Jamaica Plain.

One collection seeking new items and not used ones is Toys for Tots. New, unwrapped toys are being sought for children in the area. You can drop them off at the Norfolk County Register of Deeds building on High Street in Dedham.

Cell phones piling up because you have the newest and best that technology has to offer? Drop off used cells at Best Buy, 700 Providence Hwy. in Dedham.

Have old holiday lights that no longer work? Maybe you switched colors or swapped old lights for LED ones? Whatever the reason, if you have lights that you're not hanging this year, they can be recycled. Take them to Lowe's at 306 Providence Hwy. in Dedham.

Is your organization collecting donations this holiday season? Let us know. Leave a note in comments or e-mail Tamara Starr at Tamara.Starr@patch.com.