Do not listen to the clerical. It may have been okay this once instance but if I caught this as an STSS and a pattern was found, I would absolutely open an investigation with the assumption if you were willing to break protocol to donate, you were likely also stealing some items you entered as destroyed.
That is an area that, at least at my DC, we would audit daily.
Even if you didnt actually steal, the fact that you were going against process would get reported to HR and they would possibly (likely) fire.
Also if the Target system is telling you to destroy, and someone gets sick because you donated it, you may be in worse trouble than firing.
Probably fine this one time. Just dont do it again.