What: Every fall for six years running the Sunnyside Swap Shop Co-op has been hosting a Back-to-School Exchange to help lighten our footprint on the planet and lighten the load on our pocketbooks as we all get ready for the new school year.
When: For the 2011/12 school year – Tuesday, August 30th noon – 7pm. Early drop of of swap donations: 6-8pm Monday, August 29th and 8am-noon, Tuesday, August 3oth.
Where: In the downstairs dining hall of the Sunnyside Methodist Church Building at 35th and SE Yamhill Street. Follow the event signs and balloons the the two main entrances: on 35th across from Sunnyside Park and on Yamhill near the Swap Shop and Children’s Club entrances).
Who: Sunnyside Swap Shop Co-op members and Roost families, K-8th grade students at Sunnyside Environmental School and other nearby schools, families, neighbors and friends shopping for new-to-you back to school clothes, jackets, backpacks, lunch boxes, bikes, sports gear and supplies from the donations that everyone brings in to share. Anyone and everyone is invited to participate by bringing in and shopping for new-to-you items for the fall.
The Back-to-School Exchange makes the first day of school into a giant parade of recycled clothing and equipment as lots of students show off their latest find and find their last year’s things living a new life with another student.
Delivering items to the exchange:
1) If you are not sure you can make it the day of the event but have items to share: drop off your donations labeled “Back-To-School Exchange” under the Sunnyside Swap Shop Co-op sign at the top of steps on the Yamhill the week before the event.
2) Drop off items 6-8pm on Monday, August 29th or 8-noon on Tuesday, August 30th and receive ticket to get into the event for free.
3) Come in 10-noon to help sort and display item for a great first peek at what’s for swap.
4) Come in noon-7 for the exchange with your swap items in hand and donate $2 per family for admission.
Tips for making the best of the exchange:
1) Swap before shopping. We’ve left enough time before the start of school that you can swap with us before needing to shop for new items. We can’t promise the jacket or tennis shoes in your child’s size that you need will arrive but if they do, you can check that off your shopping list!
2) Not sure if you want to drop off everything you have to share before you find out what items are there for you? It’s perfectly OK to shop before you swap selecting what you want for swap before adding what you want to give in return.
3) Pitch in and help out. Some of the best finds come from sorting through and sorting out the racks and tables for everyone’s benefit. Help us all shop well and you never know what you might find.
Items we love to see:
Clothes (infant to adult sizes) in good condition (no rips or tears)
Shoes and accessories
Art and school supplies (paper, crayons, pencils, scissors, clip boards, glue, paint, etc)
Backpacks, lunch boxes and book bags
Bikes, scooters and bike safety gear
Sports gear (specialty shoes, sports equipment, jerseys)
Toys (to help entertain the young shoppers)
Items we don’t take at this exchange:
Large furniture, misc household goods, toxic chemicals
VOLUNTEERS:
Youth and adult volunteers make a big difference at this event. We can always find things for you to do if you show up the day of the swap and want to help out. It is really great to know who is coming when. Adults and middle school students can register to volunteer during the exchange through .
All volunteers under 18 are required to bring a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian if not accompanied by their own parent. Unaccompanied volunteers must be 11 years of age or older to attend this project.
Any volunteer under age 11 must attend with a parent or adult chaperone. (SES parents act as chaparones for all middle schoolers)
Please download, complete, and have your student bring these forms on the day of the project: Hands on Volunteer Waiver Form and CampFire Supervison Form (so they can attend the 3-6pm Roost open house). These forms will also be available at the check in table the day of the event.
