(Alliance, OH) Nov. 13, 2009—SPARK and Interfaith will be presented with checks from United Way of Greater Stark County today as a result of the “Trash to Treasure” sale held by Mt. Union College in May. Each organization will receive more than $1,100 to benefit programs in the Alliance community.

“We are thrilled to give the proceeds of Mt. Union’s student-led sale back to Alliance community programs,” said Maria Heege, president & CEO of United Way of Greater Stark County. “The Trash to Treasures sale has been a win for everyone involved—the community, the agencies and their clients, Mt. Union with an additional way to enhance their community and cost savings, student volunteers with education about need in the community and to be environmentally sensitive.”

“We are just really excited that United Way decided to distribute the money back into our community; especially at these two organizations and we are looking forward to working with United Way again this year,” said Lorie Miller, director of community educational outreach at Mt. Union, one of the lead organizer’s of the event.

On May 6 and May 7, 2009 Mount Union College and United Way of Greater Stark County partnered to bring a campus-wide recycling event, "Trash to Treasure" to life. From April 24-May 5, students, staff, and faculty at Mount Union were encouraged to donate clothing, furniture, food, school supplies, and toiletries that they were planning to throw away. Items donated were organized in Wilson Hall and sold to community members for a small fee. The money earned was donated to United Way of Greater Stark County. Participants received training on sustainability and recycling using volunteers from public agencies and Mount Union College faculty.

Being environmentally conscience is something the Mount Union community takes very seriously. “Sustainability is a global issue that we all have a responsibility to address,” said Dr. Richard F. Giese, president of Mount Union College. “This means taking serious action today to ensure the planet’s existence as we know it in the future. Mount Union is committed to leading the way.”

As a result of the sale, 500 canned food items, 200 pairs of shoes, 3,000 clothing items, 50 pieces of furniture and 4 boxes of school supplies and 2 boxes of toiletries were donated to the sale.

Mount Union College reported a $700.00 savings in the area of waste management.

·         $2345.10 in cash was earned from the sale of 200 pairs of shoes, 3,000 clothing items, 50 pieces of furniture, 4 boxes of school supplies and 2 boxes of toiletries

·         500 canned food items were collected

·         Approximately 100 student volunteers were introduced to the United Way and received United Way t-shirts

·         450 hours volunteer hours were donated by the students to this project

Click here for pictures of the event: http://www.uwgsc.org/Photos.php

Plans are being made for the 2010 Trash to Treasure Sale!

If you and your organization are interested in this program, contact Elizabeth Ramsburg at (330) 491-9953 or eramsburg@uwgsc.org, Volunteer Coordinator for United Way of Greater Stark County.