Clean & Green is my Dream Recycling Drive kicked off this year with strong support from the Merced community, Multicultural Promises, Inc., the Boys & Girls Clubs of Merced County, Hands On Central California RSVP, AmeriCorps, and WildLink teamed up to host the event on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Stationed in the Boys & Girls Club parking lot, we offered free drop off and recycling of items like computer equipment, televisions, cell phones, and CRV items. People donating didn’t even have to get out of their cars! Most of the action was in the large/household electronics station. Overall, we collected 48 of the big, dinosaur televisions and monitors, 5 flat screen televisions and monitors, about 20 computers, and about 70 miscellaneous electronics (printers, VCRs, microwaves, stereo equipment, copy machines, radios, keyboards). We also collected 9 small electronic items (cell phones, Apple laptop, handheld DVD) and 5 large garbage bags of plastic bottles. Even though the environmental impact we made by keeping these items out of landfills was great, the even greater impact was seen in the amount of support from the community.
Throughout the entire day (9 am – 4 pm), we had a total of 76 volunteers serve 281 hours! Wowza! Out of the total hours, 201 were put in by adult volunteers and 79 were from youth. We had a number of groups come out and serve, including UC Merced students from different fraternities/sororities and clubs, Rollin’ Roulettes Derby Girls, Golden Valley High School students, and South Pacific Dance. We had a lot of fun because of the amazing people that made this event possible! In the times between drop-offs, we had some awesome football, soccer, and volleyball games going, and South Pacific Dance held performances in the gym. In addition to the number of volunteers that came out, we also received strong support from community entities. St. Anthony’s Church and School in Atwater gathered 27 large electronic items and brought them to our drop off location. Reverend Tom Timmings personally extended his thanks and praise to us for providing this opportunity to the community.
Overall, it was a really good day ON. It’s evident that Merced County is excited about doing good and willing to serve, so the Boys & Girls Club will continue to keep the vision of HandsOn Central California alive in this town. We will “inspire, equip, and mobilize people to take action to serve their communities.”
Lou Ohki
AmeriCorps VIP (volunteer infustracture project)
Boys & Girls Club of Merced County
