Trash to Treasure

In its first year, Penn State Altoona's Trash to Treasure sale raked in $3,300 for the United Way of Blair County. Modeled after the University Park campus' award-winning Trash to Treasure program held each spring at Beaver Stadium, proceeds from the sale at Penn State Altoona benefited the United Way of Blair County's community impact partners.

The benefits of the Trash to Treasure sale are substantial, not just for the charities it supports, but for the environment as well. Collecting and selling literally tons of refuse that would otherwise be thrown out saves landfill space for things that cannot be reused or recycled. Further, the event allows Penn State Altoona students the opportunity to give something back to the Blair County community, and the dollars raised from the sale are a significant boost to the agencies funded by the United Way of Blair County.

A substantial number of people were lined up outside the Adler Athletic Complex when the doors opened at 8 a.m. on June 9. Throughout sale hours, hundreds of bargain shoppers browsed through huge selections of clothes, books, housewares, and electronics. Some of the biggest items to go included a Dell computer, several desks, and a sofa. The American Rescue Workers picked up the remaining materials at the end of the sale, while the donated food was given to a local food bank. Food and other items for the sale were donated by Penn State Altoona students, faculty, and staff. Organizers are pleased with the Trash to Treasure results and already have plans to hold another one next spring.

States Tommi Burchfield, chief professional officer of the United Way of Blair County, "Trash to Treasure is a great event that truly highlights the generosity of Penn State Altoona's students and faculty and their commitment to the community. The funds raised from this successful first year event will be used to fund the United Way of Blair County's Community Impact Partners. We are so grateful for the strong campus-community partnership between Penn State Altoona and the Blair County community and are looking forward to next year's event."