Font ResizeAYER -- Before the snow flies, a drive is underway to gather items for needy local families. It's a chance to purge your house of items in good condition but that you no longer need.
And, it's Ayer's public push to recognize the 12th annual America Recycles Day, which is Sunday, Nov. 15, sponsored by the Keep America Beautiful organization.
In Ayer, a major event is planned for Saturday, Nov. 14, at the front driveway of Ayer High School on Washington Street, with a major assist from the Ayer public schools and its students. Items collected will flow to the Lowell Wish Project, which benefits people in homeless shelters, affordable-housing units, early intervention, the mentally disabled, and senior citizens.
Another purpose served is to keep usable goods out of landfills. Laurie Sabol, chairman of the Ayer Recycling Committee, says her group became involved after hearing of another town's recycling committee co-sponsoring a similar drive.
She hopes the drive will become an annual event in town around America Recycles Day and also Earth Day. "One caveat is that items have to be in good condition and they really stress that they want the essentials only," said Sabol.
Decorative items and knick-knacks are not desired. Instead, it's a drive to collect the staples for needy families. No drapes or formal wear. Rather, kitchen, bedroom and living room furniture is in demand, along with baby gear in good condition and everyday clothing for all
A complete list of acceptable items can be seen at www.lowellwishproject.org/goods.html.
Sabol is excited about the involvement of Ayer school children. "Principal (Don) Parker is recruiting kids to help with loading of the trucks and others are involved with publicity.
"We'd love to make it an annual event and we'd like to make it bigger but we've got to start out small," she said.
To make it a huge success, Sabol lists out the items desired by the Lowell Wish Project:
NO used toys, decorative items, sports gear, or anything that requires installation. No dressy clothing.
CLOTHING: Preemie baby sizes up to very large adult, casual and in-season
BABY GEAR: Cribs, strollers, swings, Pack-N-Plays, bassinets, crib bedding, baby towels, car seats ,baby tubs, high chairs, bouncy seats, and changing tables. Diapers welcome.
FURNITURE: COUCHES AND LOVESEATS: Please no rips, broken legs or hygiene issues like excessive smoke, heavy staining, dry rot, pet hair or mold. Reasonable wear is fine. Most clients have serious health issues and live in 3rd small apartments. Futons, daybeds, sleepers welcome too.
FURNITURE: MATTRESS SETS AND FOLDING BED FRAMES Twin, Full, Queen - We love: bunk beds, futons, toddler beds, daybeds and trundles.
KITCHEN TABLES/DINETTE SETS: We love sets of tables with chairs but will accept chairs in sets of 2 or more and tables alone. Fancy dining room sets can be matched with clients who have room. Email for details.
BEDDING: TWIN, FULL, QUEEN
Sheets, towels, shower curtains, new liners, comforters, blankets, bathroom rugs. Towels always welcome.
SMALL APPLIANCES AND BASIC KITCHEN: heaters (winter),fans, lamps, microwaves, hand mixers, coffee makers, clocks, clock radios, irons, toaster ovens, toasters.
Nothing that requires extra wiring (like ceiling fans or wall sconces) because most clients rent and just don't do much home repair work.
BATH: Bath towels are always needed. Please hold the hand towels. Used fabric curtains welcome but shower curtain liners must be new only. Hampers, spring loaded rods, curtains, rugs all welcome. Please no decorations but any basic practical goods welcome.
LARGE APPLIANCES: (e-mail Lowell Wish to ensure proper donation www.thewishproject.org) Rust-free Washers, electric dryers, and refrigerators.
ELECTRONICS: Color TVs VCR's, game systems, walkmans, radios, boom boxes and DVD's are a big hit. NO console TV's, NO stereo turntables, NO casette decks
Gameboys and game systems welcome. Most go to kids in hospitals or in other critical situations that have lots of time on their hands while dealing with a crisis. Used Gameboy games very welcome for local kids hospital patients. Gameboy color or advance.
Small box radios (wires for headsets - must have built in speakers) are very welcome for a program that needs them ongoing for children.
COMPUTER CPUs, laptops or sets: Pentium III(3) or better (please - complete sets or CPUs NO lone monitors, scanners or other peripherals). Large corporate computer donations accepted too by contacting Lowell Wish Project.
