When students pack up for the summer, they often leave behind mountains of stuff, much of it worthy of a giant garage sale.
This year, the College will grab the best goods for charity.
The program, which runs Monday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., is a collaboration between Facilities Services, Residential Life, Ozone House and the Kenney Community Center.
“The demand for such a program has always been there,” said Director of Residential Life Todd Clark. “We need to clean every building thoroughly within a two-week period to prepare for summer programs, but our volunteers couldn’t haul heavy items. When Facilities Services stepped up, it made this all possible.”
More than 60 staff and administrators from Facilities Services will collect items over the two-day drive initiated by Loren T. Rucinski, the department's director. The program is similar to one done in 2003.
Students can donate furniture, appliances, cookware, CDs, DVDs, lamps and computers that are operable and in good condition. Resident Assistants will provide stickers for students to identify items they wish to donate. Students who leave behind trash or items in poor condition will be billed to have it removed.
The best stuff will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady and Weed and Seed of Hamilton Hill.
“It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Rucinski. “Union can provide some much needed help to the community while reducing the amount of tonnage that goes into a landfill somewhere.”
Gretchel Hathaway Tyson, director of Affirmative Action, Community Outreach and Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at Union’s Kenney Community Center feels that teaching students about the value of donating to benefit others is the best form of recycling.
“These items are not rubbish,” said Tyson. “This project allows Union to assist economically disadvantaged families—a family victimized by a fire that needs furniture, a parent who wants their child to have access to a computer or a child who has his first portable radio.”
Some students are pleased to learn their belongings will find a new home.
“We’re hoping that Ozone’s presence promoting the event will enhance people’s awareness of reusing unwanted items,” said Greta Murphy ’09. “It should also help reduce local apathy towards students for leaving usable belongings behind.”
For more information, contact Residential Life at (518) 388-6117 or housing@union.edu.