As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. On Sunday, trash is recycled into treasure at one of the largest community sales in Halifax.
Organized by student groups at Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s, the Halifax Dump and Run takes place Sunday, May 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Studley Gymnasium at Dal. Admission is free and everything from clothing to furniture and working electronics can be found.
“The motivation for the event is to divert waste from the landfill,” explains organizer Alison Bijman. “When people are moving out after the school year and even spring cleaning, there are a lot of items that are in good condition and usable by others that just get tossed in the trash. Our aim is to stop this excessive waste by holding a garage sale.”
Big fundraiser
The Dalhousie Net Impact Chapter and the Saint Mary’s University Environmental Society are currently responsible for this environmental initiative.
Dump and Run is now in its tenth year. Organizers are hoping to raise more than $10,000 for local charities and non-profits. Last year, the money was divided up between several charities including Feed Nova Scotia, Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia, The Nova Scotia Sea School, Phoenix Youth Programs, Supportive Housing for Young Mothers and Habitat for Humanity.
There are several options for those looking to donate items to the yard sale. Until today, April 26, donations can be dropped off in Room 186 of the Loyola Building, Saint Mary’s, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Between April 28 and April 30, items can be dropped off at the Studley Gymnasium, next door to Memorial Arena, on the Dalhousie campus. Organizers ask that items, clothing in particular, be cleaned before they’re dropped off.
Local pickup may also be arranged, depending on your location. For this information and a list of acceptable items to donate, visit the Dump and Run website.
Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help out between April 26 and May 2. For more information on how to get involved, e-mail halifaxdumpandrun@gmail.com.
Katie McDonald is a public relations intern originally from Moncton, N.B. She is working in the Communications & Marketing office at Dalhousie.