Plus, they hire flat-out thugs to drive their trucks for picking up the donations. Twice on my block they damaged property. Last week their driver nearly drove off the road my elderly neighbor, and when she got out of her car, the driver threatened her, telling her he knew where she lived. Make a donation direct to the NCC if you want too, though based on my preliminary research there are many other charities who helped those with developmental disabilities with more care and innovations. Their tactics in calls, pickups and customer service remind me of a thug like environment. Who needs that?!

Called and I let it go to VM. No message left.

National Children's Center is a legitimate charity, HOWEVER, this call originates from a for-profit fundraiser, Apogee Retail, which contracts with charities such as NCC, pickups donations in their names, then sends the best merchandise to its for-profit thrift stores, such as Value Village and Unique Thrift in New Jersey. Apogee Retail is a "for-profit middleman," and keeps most of the profits; the charity gets only a fraction of the donated value. If you have any question about this, just google "National Children's Center Apogee." Apogee also uses other charity names for its pickup collection and resale business; that's why they call so much, to get new merchandise to stock their stores. It is run out of Little Falls, Minnesota, and St Louis, Missouri, by a guy named Dave Koebler. So if you want to help NCC, send them a check, rather than donating to Dave Koebler and Company. And if you see a charity pickup truck in your neighborhood, look to see if it says "Apogee" or "Apogee Leasing" on it somewhere; some of them do. And if you want to voice your displeasure, try calling Apogee directly. A couple numbers that may be associated with them are phone: 651-773-8077; fax: 651-771-8533.

FYI All it takes is the phone number u have being associated with dontation of any kind in the past. Even if u didnt have the number when it happen.

They absolutely will not remove anyone's number from their call list, no matter how many times you ask them. That tells me a lot about the honesty of their organization. I used to donate to them (at the store, never in response to a phone call), but NEVER again!

I have asked these folks not to call, but that didn't stop them. Now I've blocked the call and play the "number not in service" tones and message. They still call monthly in spurts of 3 calls a day. Annoying.

On 5/24/12 at 1:15PM - Called - no message left

I got tired of asking NCC to take me off the call list (probably a dozen times). Now when they call I let them schedule a pickup. Hope they will catch on. If this was a legit charity they wouldn't waste resources calling people who ask not to be called.

I have no trouble with them. I donate to them regularly and they call to ask if I have anything for pickup when they have a truck coming to my area. I am happy to give them usable items rather than throw them away. I wish my neighbors would do the same.

thanks

I just hang up on them.  Though tonight they called me right back (from a "private" number) and yelled at me, "Learn some respect, BI***,"  and slammed the phone down.  Wow, truly astounding. You disturb MY privacy to solicit funds -- and when I merely terminate a call, you do THAT?  Please do not EVER give anything to this organization for any reason. That experience alone should tell you all you need to know about them.

These SOBs will not remove your number from their calling list no matter how often you tell them to. I know from experience. So I hit on the idea to pick up the phone when they call and immediately hold down the * key, and keep holding it until they hang up. The last time, whoever was on the other end screamed a lot into the phone (I don't hold it to my ear, so I don't know what they said), but--THEY HAVEN'T CALLED SINCE!

I used to drop off donations for them at their stores, but after their phone harassment, I will never donate anything to them again.

Another trick is to go ahead and schedule a pick up.  Like in Culpeper or The Plains.  Spend enough gas on wild goose chases and you'll probably be out of business pretty fast.

Give them the address to Wal-mart, K-Mart, or a mall.  Keep 'em busy.

When they say they'll have a truck "in your area", ask them which area, exactly, that is.  I'll bet they don't have a clue!  They'll ask for your address next.  Clearly they don't really have a truck in your area.  But if they get enough pick ups, they'll send one.

Good luck!

These knuckleheads keep calling and hanging up.  But since they're a valid charity, and they have a web site with a charitable goods receipt, I'm going to deduct $40 each time they call from my taxes.  I figure their calls cost me the time it would take to buy a nice shirt or pair of slacks.  So instead of them actually getting the goods, they got my time through their incessant unwanted calls.

Here's the receipt form:
http://www.nccpickup.org/nccpickup/assets/images/34/tax.pdf

This organization is a nuisance.  They call several times a day and I am on the do not call register list so they should not be calling.  When you call back to tell them to remove your number they say they are the National Children's Center but they leave you on hold forever.  This is a case of harrassment.

Two calls 1 at 8:30pm but the last call was at 11:25. That is ridiculous. Wish they would stop with the calls. If and when I have something to donate I will call you.

Theyv'e been calling me for months.  I've asked to be removed.  Today, I called the number back, waited 7 mins for a person, then asked.  She said she'd send it over to the dept to get it removed.

If they keep up, I'm going to start calling them every day.  (It worked once with a collections agency that wouldn't accept that I didn't own anyone, & I wasn't going to identify myself just because they called me!)

The Do Not Call registry does not apply to charities (or political organizations).  However, it does include that once you request them to stop, they have to stop.  They may get your number again from their same sources.  They are supposed to check against their DNC list and not add it back into their dialer.  But I guess you have to donate for them to have enough money to fund that additional "feature." :)

So now I know, they replace Value Village, that called me the same way before this.

These people are horrible. They keep calling in spite of the fact that I have told them MANY times to remove my number from their calling list. Refusal to do that is violating the law, so why should ANYONE donate ANYTHING to them?

The only way to stop calls like this is to NEVER give them ANYTHING. Since they have no regard for anyone, this shouldn't be a moral problem for anyone.

I have been receiving these calls everyday. I called back and told the lady if I found any usable items I would drop them off myself. She said she would take my number off their list. Let's see if this does any good. The lady said any Value Village thrift store would be a legitimate drop off location for NCC.

This is a legitimate company.  they pick things up from my house quarterly.  The proceeds benefit the organization.  Check out the website.  They have always been professional and courteous. They are similar to Purple Heart.

But if you request they not call again, they are obligated to NOT CALL AGAIN!!  Regardless!  So keep track, you can sue for every call AFTER you specifically say DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER AGAIN.

No human spoke. Background noise sounds like a calling center / sweatroom.  Google search for this number found: Apogee, (301) 595-3840, 10811 Tucker St, Beltsville, MD 20705. I am on the DO NOT CALL LIST but this doesnt seem to matter to them.

My telephone number " DO NOT CALL " Why the Verizon telephone company doesn't blocking the call ??!. I'm sick, I don't like t heard the phone ring..ring. Please tell this telephone # 301-595-3840 stop call my phone from now on. Thank you

Continue to call even though we are on do not call list and after being ask to remove from their list. tired of their calls

This charity is not the only one that calls all the time.  I always donate to them (at least once a month)
They actually show up when they say they will.  I've had other charities say they are coming and
I place a lot of stuff on my front step, and they don't show. NCC is a worthy cause.

I get calls all during the day and evening from this number and many others it is very annoying.
I have no items for Thrift pick up.   I just drop the items in the boxes in the different shopping areas.
Other callers are    310-541-0273(California)  202 333 9100 DC number , 830-865-5118. They never
leave a messaage and you can't get back in touch with them.   I will be sending this same information
to WMAR Scam Alert. Better Business Bureau.  I am already listed on the DO NO CALL LIST.
CTRL DONATION, is the  last one, can't remember the phone number. Value Village is located
in several area in Maryland

I cannot get these people to stop calling me.  Not interested in donating and don't like how they call between 8-9am!!!

Did you read your post - what a maroon !

I have received multiple calls from "Value Village Project of the National Children's Center, Inc."

Has the "Do Not Call Directory" been over turned?  I was encouraged to add my cell phone to the Do Not Call list, I did, but here is the call.

This is an unknown annoyance caller.