The University YMCA is seeking volunteers in Champaign County to join the 15th annual Dump & Run community recycling event to help divert reusable items from the landfill.
Volunteers are needed beginning Aug. 8 and up to Aug. 21 to help collect, sort, price and sell household items at the garage sale on Aug. 20-21. Volunteers at last year’s event were able to divert approximately 27 tons of reusable items from the landfill.
Items from move-out days and spring cleaning in May and in August are resold at a fraction of the cost to community and campus members at the end of August each year. The collections and the sale will take place at the U. of I. Stock Pavilion, 1402 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, visit: universityymca.org/dump_and_run/.
“When you volunteer, you get first dibs on the things collected after only six hours of volunteering – and we get an unbelievable amount of great things donated,” said Emily Cross, the development director of the University YMCA and the volunteer coordinator of Dump & Run. Volunteer orientation takes place at the beginning of the volunteer’s first shift. No heavy lifting is required.
Collection dates and times are Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 10-12, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to noon.
Admission is $3 for the sale on Saturday, Aug. 20, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. International students enrolled at the U. of I. get in free. Hours on Sunday, Aug. 21, are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; on that date, there is a $3 bag sale and half-priced furniture. items are free 2:30-3 p.m.
