An event that benefits and brings together the community through volunteerism and philanthropy, Trash to Treasure will set “sale” at Penn State for the 11th consecutive year.
Nittany Lions football coach Bill O’Brien will kick off this year’s event, which is scheduled to begin with early bird admission Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at Beaver Stadium.
Early birds pay $5 to get in, but admission will be free starting at 9 a.m., and the event will continue until 2 p.m.
Trash to Treasure is a sale of items donated by Penn State students who live in residence halls. Proceeds benefit the Centre County United Way.
“At the end of the spring semester they have the option to donate their unwanted, gently used items to the United Way,” said Tammy Gentzel, executive director of the Centre County United Way. “(The Office of the Physical Plant) delivers the donated items to Beaver Stadium. The items are then sorted and organized by hundreds of community volunteers in preparation for sale day.”
Last year, 63.5 tons of items were donated, and $56,037 was raised for the United Way, Gentzel said.
Proceeds from this year’s sale will go to the 2012 Centre County United Way Annual Campaign, which funds more than 100 programs through 37 health and human service partner agencies, she said.
Items for sale during Trash to Treasure include clothing, shoes, fans, lamps, furniture, mirrors, coffee makers, health and beauty items, ironing boards, rugs, sports equipment, books, office supplies, electronics and many other pieces, Gentzel said.
This year’s sale will feature a raffle of three Paterno Era Sideline Benches from Beaver Stadium and four vinyl banners that feature former Penn State All-American football standouts and former coaches, Gentzel said.
“This gives you (three) chances to win a piece of Penn State football history,” she said.
Certificates of authenticity will be included, and the banners feature Larry Johnson, Courtney Brown, Dave Robinson, Ted Kwalick, Curt Warner and Rich Lucas.
Each year more than 2,000 shoppers attend the early bird sale, Gentzel said, and hundreds more show up during the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. slot.
“Trash to Treasure has been described as a win-win-win event for everyone in the community,” she said. “It helps families, many of whom are in great need, buy gently used items at a very low cost. (Trash to Treasure) has raised nearly half a million dollars for the Centre County United Way agencies over the past 10 years – with all of that money staying in Centre County to help our friends and neighbors.”
Volunteers still are needed to help sort and prepare the items for sale. Those who are interested may visit www.t2t.psu.edu.
