“Nothing is wasted.”
That was the slogan of this year’s annual campus salvage operation organized by Colgate’s Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE).
Volunteers collected items that Colgate students either donated or left behind after moving out of residence halls. They are then given to nonprofit organizations in the greater Hamilton area and in Utica.
“It is good knowing all of the things that used to go in the trash are now going to people who need them,” said Colleen Nassimos, COVE administrative coordinator and team advisor.
Volunteers spent several days stopping at residence halls and apartments collecting everything from food, clothing, bedding, and lamps to furniture, kitchen utensils, and cleaning supplies.
The volunteers also found some unique things, such as two Easy-Bake toy ovens, an electric guitar, and a plastic teeter-totter shaped like an alligator, said COVE director Ingrid Hale.
No matter how unique the items, the COVE finds a new home for them at organizations like Heritage Farm in Bouckville, Hope House and the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees in Utica, Worn Again clothing shop in Hamilton, and the Community Action Partnership in Morrisville.
The groups as well as people in need are grateful for the donations.
The First Baptist Church in Hamilton comes every year to pick up items for its annual yard sale held in August.
“The money raised goes to various mission projects the church supports, including Upstate Home for Children in Oneonta and various Christian women’s fellowship projects that are held throughout the state,” said church member Marilyn Upton.