The fourth annual Useful Goods Exchange will be held Friday, April 16th – Sunday, April 18th 2010 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 and continues on Saturday. Swapping happens all day on Saturday. All items not swapped on Saturday will be part of the rummage sale on Sunday. Remaining useful goods will be given to charity on Monday.
Many items in good, useful condition are welcome including clothing, books, toys, arts and craft supplies, non perishable food, working electronics, furniture, household and gardening goods. An outdoor tent housed large play equipment, furniture and building supply items.
The Sunnyside Neigbhorhood Association’s Spring Clean Up is tentatively scheduled for the same weekend at St. Stephens Catholic Church parking lot, at the corner of SE 42d & Taylor, and accommodates items that needed to be thrown away or recycled for a reasonable fee. Please note that as of January 1, 2010, Metro will no longer accept computers, monitors, or televisions for disposal. For more information about where you can go, visit www.deq.state.or.us/lq/ecycle/index.
There is no cost to participate in the Useful Goods Exchange and all swaps are done on the honor system.
Event volunteers had 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 next event contact Karen Hery: sunnysideswapshop@gmail.com or (503) 407-2667.
Testimonials about the annual Useful Goods Exchange:
Although I’ve said it before, here is the “offical” version: Thank you, Karen, for dreaming up & organizing the Sunnyside Swap Shop. Everyone there, including Sarah Taylor, our school principal, had a big smile on their face and big bags in their hands as they exited the school Saturday.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 Play Space
Parent of a Sunnyside Environmental School student
