Spring Useful Goods Exchange - May 2008
The second annual Useful Goods Exchange is being held the first weekend of May inside the Sunnyside Environmental School gym, and cafeteria and out on the blacktop area behind the school. Drop off of useful goods begins on Friday, May 2nd from 3 - 9pm. Drop off of items continues and all swapping happens on Saturday, May 3rd 10am - 6pm. All items not swapped on Saturday are part of the rummage sale on Sunday, May 4th starting at 10 am. Last hour of the rummage sale 3 - 4pm all items are free. Useful goods that remain will be given to charity on Monday, May 5th.
All items in good, useful condition are accepted including clothing, books, toys, arts and craft supplies, non perishable food, working electronics, furniture, household and gardening goods. New this year: an outdoor tent to house large play equipment, furniture and building supply items will be set up on the blacktop behind the gym.
Please bring only clean items in good working order. If you have items that just need to be thrown away or recycled, these can be taken to the Sunnyside Neigbhorhood Association’s Spring Clean Up happening the same weekend on Saturday 9 a.m. to noon, at St. Stephens Catholic Church parking lot, at the corner of SE 42d & Taylor.
Costs for the Spring Clean up are $6 for carload, $10 for SUVs/wagons, and $14 for pickups. They will accept yard debris, wood waste, metal, block Styrofoam, packing peanuts, planting pots, and unusable household items. Auto tires are okay, too; $4 off the rim, $5 mounted. They will accept most electronics except TVs and microwaves, including all computer components, stereos, VCRs, and cell phones. Some things they will not take: gas-powered yard machines, hazardous household waste, recyclables, household (kitchen) garbage, or large amounts of construction debris or sod.
There is no cost to participate in the Useful Goods Exchange and all swaps are done on the honor system. If you have more items to give than you want back in return, consider bringing your items in as early as possible to give swappers lots to choose from. If you want to make sure that you get equal value in swap for your donations, you are welcome to shop first and swap second by coming in on Saturday, finding the things you want to use, taking them home and then returning before the end of the swap on Saturday with items that can be offered up for the rummage sale on Sunday.
Event volunteers have the best access to swap items during the event. To volunteer for a set up, swap or rummage sale shift or for more information on the event contact Karen Hery: karenhery@gmail.com (503) 407-2667. For more information on the Spring Clean Up event on Saturday, call the Sunnyside neighborhood hotline at 503-295-1699.
Testimonials about the annual Useful Goods Exchange:
But more than that, it created a big open space in our hearts, filled with dreams, hopes, realities, possibilities and connections for me and my family. My son, who somehow has the “materialism” gene, was utterly amazed at the sheer number of items there just for him (I imagine he thought) to choose from! The miracle occurred when he came to realize that all those toys that were there, all the stuff, was stuff that members of the community, his community, were so freely giving away. There were so many levels of appreciation to that realization of his, that his face could barely contain it, so that his smile got wild and his eyes rolled around happily in his head! It was breathtaking to behold, truly, to see the effects of your dream on my son’s face last Saturday! I cannot thank you enough.
Many people dream. Few persevere, walking with their dream to it’s destiny, as did you. It still inspires me to think that you’ve only just arrived here in Portland, young children in tow, recently separated from their father, your husband. (and let’s not forget your close friend who you helped transition to The Divine Unknown) Yet, your trust in others remains strong despite adversity, and leads you to build community in wise and wonderous ways. You are the Phoenix, born and rising from the ashes, providing a light beackon to all of us here, as a guide in how to fly.
- Nikki Monacelli
Founding member of the Sunnyside Family Swap Shop and Indoor Playground
Parent of a Sunnyside Environmental School student