Don't Want to Take It Home? Chuck It for Charity and Help the Community

May 1, 2012 — Students departing the University of Virginia Grounds for the summer have the opportunity to donate and recycle unwanted furniture, household items, clothing and nonperishable food in support of area charities.

Chuck It for Charity, the annual donation drive, is sponsored by U.Va.'s Office of Community Relations, the Office of Off-Grounds Housing, and Facilities Management. Community partners include the Blue Ridge Apartment Council and the Salvation Army. It offers students living both on- and off-Grounds easy access to donation sites.

"Chuck it for Charity makes the move-out process more manageable and gives students a viable alternative to throwing their stuff away," said Jim Fitzgerald, associate director of community relations. "It's something they can feel good about and we're happy to join our on-Grounds and off-Grounds partners in coordinating this annual effort."

This year, on-Grounds collection runs from May 4 through 12. Items will be collected at the following locations:

• Alderman Road north lobbies (Kellogg, Balz-Dobie, Watson-Webb, Cauthen, Woody)
• Alderman Road south lobbies (Courtenay, Dunnington, Dunglison; Fitzhugh residents are asked to use the Student Activities Building, which is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Brown College (Tucker Kitchen)
• Bice House (basement)
• Copeley 3 & 4 (Computer Lab in building 836)
• Faulkner Residences (Younger Computer Lab)
• Gooch/Dillard (lounges in buildings 384 and 388)
• Hereford College (Green Room)
• International Residence College (Gwathmey Game Room)
• Lambeth Commons (Commons Assembly Room)
• McCormick Road lounge areas (Hancock, Bonnycastle, Dabney, Emmet Lounge, Humphreys, Metcalf)

In addition, the Student Activities Building, adjacent to Scott Stadium on Alderman Road, will be available to all on-Grounds students from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from May 4 through 2.

Charities expected to participate in the on-Grounds collection include Advancing Native Missions, Arc of the Piedmont, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Central Virginia Baptist Association Clothing Center, Church of the Incarnation, Goodwill, The Habitat Store, MAACA, Nelson County Food Bank, and the Shelter for Help in Emergency.

Off-Grounds collection will take place May 17 through 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, at:

• 301 15th St. at Grand Marc Apartments
• 303 14th St. NW at St. Edwards Court
• 780 Madison Ave. at MSC MadHouse
• 1213 Wertland St., behind building and in front of The Fred

Donations through the off-Grounds drive will benefit the local Salvation Army.

Last year, about 28,500 pounds of material were collected on Grounds while more than 300 substantial furniture items, and hundreds of smaller household items and articles of clothing, were collected during the off-Grounds drive.

"Chuck It For Charity has made the move-out process more convenient for students by providing them a place to donate items, which in turn will benefit our community," said Amanda Hester, residential property manager for Woodard Properties. "Woodard Properties is excited to partner with the University of Virginia Community Relations Office, The Salvation Army, other property management companies and our residents in a collaborative effort that will contribute to our community's sustainable and charitable efforts."

For information, contact U.Va. Community Relations at 434-924-1321 or e-mail communityrelations@virginia.edu. Information is also available online and on Facebook.