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As 2008 comes to a close, charities are seeing an uptick in donations. But according to people staffing donations sites, it’s not all holiday spirit.

“It’s the tax break,” said Ronstadt Manuel, manager at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on High Point Road. “They’re trying to make sure they get the tax deduction for donating before the end of the year.”

Manuel said the trucks his store uses to pick up donated furniture, appliances and building materials are booked solid until next week.

“If people want to donate now, as busy as it is, they have to bring it in themselves,” Manuel said.  “And they’re doing that — they’re renting vans and U-Hauls to bring it all in.”

Some of those hauling furniture to the ReStore said there was another motivation for the last-minute giving: procrastination.

“We had furniture and house goods we were meaning to donate all year long,” said Donald Franks, 39. “Then when you realize the year’s ending, when you’re putting your house in order, you realize you haven’t actually made those donations.”

Franks brought in a couch, a chair and a few lamps to the ReStore in the back of his pickup Tuesday.

“It’s going to be nice to start the year with a clean slate, with all this stuff out of the way,” Franks said. “And it does feel good to know you’re ending the year by giving to others.”

While area Salvation Army and Goodwill stores also reported a surge of donations, some charities said they haven’t been so lucky.

“I actually don’t think we’re getting as much as we’ve seen in the past,” said Tyra Clymer, director of emergency assistance at Greensboro Urban Ministry Clothing Bank. “It’s coming in, but I think it’s actually slowed down as this year goes on.”

Clymer said the rocky economy may have some keeping items they would have donated last year.

“With things the way they are, you just don’t know what’s going to happen in the new year,” Clymer said. “Some people aren’t letting go of anything they feel like they might need in the future.”

Margaret Clarey, 26, brought her two small daughters with her to donate bags of clothing to Urban Ministry Tuesday — despite the uncertainty.

“It’s true that we’re keeping some things this year we might have gone ahead and donated before,” Clarey said. “But even though we’re not rich we know we’re much better off than a lot of people. So, we’re giving what we can.”

Clarey said she always saves her donations for the end of the year. It’s habit as much as anything, she said.

“It’s the way we’ve always done it in my family,” Clarey said. “And I guess it makes me feel like the new year is going to start with people having what they need.”

Contact Joe Killian at 373-7023 or joe.killian@news-record.com