Ten schools and non-profit organizations are stepping up to help residents with their spring cleaning by taking specific unwanted but useable items off their hands.
A Reuse Fair, which connects participants that need items with residents willing to donate them, will be held at the Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Rd., Valparaiso.
The compiled wish list from participating organizations is available for download at www.PorterCountyRecycling.org. The public is invited to bring their donations and then stay to enjoy the family-friendly exhibits and entertainment the rest of the Earth Day Celebration has to offer.
The wish list contains dozens of items, including things like animal books, beads, buttons, blankets, crayons, film cameras and darkroom equipment, puppy pads, baby/infant toys, magnifying glasses, and much more.
“Reuse is great for the environment and a great addition to the Earth Day Celebration,” said Donna Stuckert, public education coordinator for Porter County Recycling.
“It saves these organizations and schools money, so they don’t have to buy things; lessens the demand to manufacture new products which can deplete our limited and valuable natural resources; diverts items from landfills; and gives people a reason to spring clean,” she added.
“We all have things we’ve been saving for whatever reason, just because we don’t want to throw them away,” Stuckert continued. “Here’s an opportunity to give them a good home.”
Stuckert said there are also items on the list that people would normally throw in their garbage or recycle totes, such as newspapers; cardboard toilet paper/paper towel rolls, jars, plastic bags, and shredded paper.
“Start saving them today,” she said. “By April 21, you’ll have a large donation to bring that will help someone out.”
Items on the wish list will benefit these schools and organizations: First Christian Church (DOC), Green Research, Lakeshore PAWS Dog Rescue, Martin T. Krueger Middle School, Michigan City High School, Opportunity Enterprises, Portage Township Schools, Westville Middle/High School, Washington Park Zoo, and Working Bikes.
“We aren’t trying to be Goodwill or the Salvation Army,” Stuckert said. “We don’t want all of your stuff; only items on the list will be accepted. We reserve the right to inspect and refuse any item.”
Stuckert said items will only be accepted on April 21.
“Last year we received many calls about where to bring their items because residents could not attend the event,” she said. “We absolutely have nowhere to store items donated in advance. If you cannot bring your donation that day, please ask someone who can.”
For more information on the Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration, visit www.PorterCountyRecycling.org, or call 219-465-3819.
Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction is an agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life by providing services and educational programs which help residents reduce, reuse, and recycle.