Thursday, May 12, 2016

We Need You (And Your Stuff) For One Great Cause!

WE NEED YOU (AND YOUR STUFF) FOR ONE GREAT CAUSE
Dump & Run, A Community Recycling Event
YMCA of the University of Illinois


Be a part of reducing litter and consumer waste, saving space in landfills, & providing inexpensive items for folks to purchase in the fall. Drop off accepted donations at the University YMCA (corner of Wright & Chalmers) during May 2016 collection days as part of the Y's community recycling event, Dump & Run. The Y is also hosting furniture pick up days for May 10 and 11, 2016 only. Please visit our website at universityymca.org/dump_and_run to schedule an appointment for us to come pick up your donated furniture for free for May 10 & 11 pickup days only. Please note that do NOT take sofa beds or TVs.

“The University YMCA takes pride in advancing environmental responsibility on campus through our student organizations, and Dump & Run embodies how much of an impact we make when we all work together,” said Executive Director Mike Doyle. “These May collection days provide our community with the opportunity to give our belongings a new life.” Last year, the Y was able to keep approximately 36 tons of reusable items out of the landfills.

The Y's Dump & Run program has been a completely volunteer-run program since its inception 15 years ago as a small garage sale at the University YMCA. Each year, the Y relies on volunteers in the community and on campus to make one of the biggest recycling events in Champaign-Urbana happen. To sign up to volunteer, please visit:universityymca.org/dump_and_run/volunteer/ When you volunteer, you get first dibs on the things collected (after only 6 hours of volunteering) - and we get an unbelievable amount of great things donated!  Dump & Run volunteer opportunities during May Collection Days start May 9 and run trough May 25.  The Y especially relies on the help of volunteers during peak collections activities on the dates of Saturday, May 14 and Monday, May 16, 2016. Volunteer drivers are also greatly needed. If you are interested in driving to pick up and drop-off donations, please indicate that you are willing to drive in the "comment" section of the volunteer sign-up form. 

For more information about the University YMCA's Dump & Run program, please visit: universityymca.org/dump_and_run/

May 2016 Collection Days
Monday-Saturday: May 9 through May 14, 2016 from 9am to 4pm only
Furniture Pick up days: May 10 and 11, 2016 only. By appointment only: univeristyymca.org/dump_and_run/

Donation Drop-Off Location: University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St, Champaign, IL 61820 (Corner of Wright and Chalmers on the U of I campus)

We collect furniture, dishes, glassware, pots & pans, small household appliances, computers, electronics, bicycles, office & school supplies, nearly-new clothing, books, toiletries, lawn & garden, artwork, vinyl & cds, musical instruments, sporting equipment & other household goods.

We do not collect televisions, paint, child/infant car seats, stoves, washers, dryers, non-working electronics & computer parts, sleeper sofas, mattresses, televisions, or large exercise equipment.
The University YMCA reserves the right to refuse any donation offered, based on but not limited to, its size, weight, and condition.

Questions? Contact the University YMCA at 217-337-1500

Visuals: During May Collection Days, the University Y’MCAs Latzer Hall becomes a fine-tuned collections hub; volunteers collecting, sorting, and packing items donated from campus and community members alike.

Photo Opportunities: Saturday, May 14 (9pm to 12pm) and Monday, May 16 (9am to 4pm) will be peak collections activities, in which we are loading and unloading donations from dormitories and sorority and fraternity houses, sorting and packing donations to be taken to the U of I Stock Pavilion in preparation for the Sale in August. On Wednesday, May 25 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm and Thursday, May 26, 8:30am to 11:30am, Lincoln's Challenge of Rantoul, Illinois will be volunteering at the University YMCA, transporting all sorted and bagged donations to semi-trailers, which will be taken to the U of I Stock Pavilion in preparation for the sale on August 20 and 21, 2016.

PSA/Press Release
For Immediate Release
May 3, 2016

For media inquires, contact: Megan Flowers, YMCA Communications Director
[217-37-1500; megan@universityymca.org

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