Most of us, perhaps all of us, can think back to a time when we needed a second chance to get something right. Whether it was a first attempt at love, a driving test, or a term paper we wrote over, we needed a second chance to get things right. Heck, even the national pastime doesn’t record an out on the first strike – they give each batter three. So why is it that we are so quick to throw our personal possessions away at the first sign of wear? Doesn’t our stuff deserve a second chance too?
With this in mind, the city is happy to announce that our fourth annual Second Chance Week will be from Sept. 9-17. In conjunction with the City of Gilroy, Morgan Hill has planned over a week of second chance opportunities for your stuff. We’ve designed the week to help you help a variety of organizations – while conserving resources and energy.
Second Chance Week officially begins with Gilroy’s version of the annual South County Garage Sale on Sept. 9-10. While the Morgan Hill sale is the following weekend, use these first days to shop for bargains at our neighbors to the south. A list of sale locations will be available at City Hall, on the Gilroy Web site (www. ci.gilroy.ca.us), and at Gilroy 7-Elevens the Thursday before the sale.
Sept. 11, is officially Universal Waste Awareness Day. Universal wastes are wastes like electronics, fluorescent tubing, and batteries that cannot be thrown away in your normal trash. You can recycle batteries at the curb, fluorescent tubes at Johnson Lumber (778-1550), and electronics at Western Recycling (779-1781.)
Sept. 12, is Donate and Shop Local Thrift Stores Day. Tired of stuff you never use taking up space in your garage and attic? Looking for that one of a kind vintage coffee table? Donating and shopping at local thrift stores helps charities in the community. Check out the City’s Web site for a list of South County locations.
Sept. 13, is Donate Coats for Kids and Adults Day. Have gently used coats you or your children have grown out of? Bring them to the Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road between 8am and 8pm. The coats will go to underprivileged children and their parents.
Sept. 14, is Supply Us With Supplies Day. Most of us have drawers full of old office supplies, art supplies, and stationery we are no longer using. Why
not donate them to our local schools? Bring yours from 10am to 6pm to the Community and Cultural Center and we’ll make them available to local public schools. No furniture or computer equipment, please.
Sept. 15, is Second Sight Day. Bring your old eyeglasses to the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center , 16200 Condit Ave., and the Lions Club will give them a Second Chance to serve someone less fortunate.
Sept. 16, Keep Your Gear in Play Day, is your chance to give your gently used, but no longer needed, sporting goods and play equipment to our local nonprofit community. Whether it’s the soccer cleats that no longer fit your children, the tennis racket signed by Bjorn Borg, or the camping stove that hasn’t seen the wilderness since George Bush (the first one) was in office, this is your opportunity to donate these items to ensure that they get used again. Here’s what to look for: Hula hoops, cones, soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, dodge balls, handballs, baseballs, cleats (tied together), baseball gloves, baseball bats, boxing gloves and head gear, punching bags, snow boots (tied together), snowshoes, and sleeping bags (clean). Please bring them between 8am and 5pm to the Community and Cultural Center.
Sept. 16-17 are Morgan Hill’s South County Garage Sale Days. Applications to participate, which are due by Sept. 1, are in the August City Connection newsletter and are available on the City’s Web site. If you aren’t having a garage sale, then these are great days to go out and help your neighbors as they choose to reuse. A list of sale locations will be available at City Hall, on the City’s Web site, and at 7-Eleven, Y’A Bon @ Cochrane Plaza, the Chevron on Vineyard, and the Good Life Cafe (now The Buzz Stop) @ Monterey Road and Second Street.
For more information on any of these events, give us a call at (408) 779-7247.
Anthony Eulo is a program administrator for the City of Morgan Hill who donates all of his old, usable stuff to thrift stores. He welcomes your questions, comments, and thoughts and can be reached at 779-7247 or
en*****@mo*********.gov
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