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 it right.
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 it 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 7th Annual Second Chance Week will be from Sept. 12 to 20.
In conjunction with the city of Gilroy, Morgan Hill has planned more than 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 to be held Sept. 12 and 13.
While the Morgan Hill Sale is the following weekend, use these first days to shop for bargains from our neighbors to the south.
A list of sale locations will be available at City Hall and at www.secondchanceweek.com.
Monday, Sept. 14, is officially Universal Waste Awareness Day. Universal waste consists of consumer electronics, batteries, fluorescent lighting and other mercury-containing products that will not be accepted in your garbage. Residents can keep these items away from our air, water and landfills by properly disposing of them as follows: fluorescent light bulbs and tubes: Johnson Lumber/Ace Hardware, 778-1550 and People and Planet, 782-2700; consumer electronics: Western Recycling, 779-1781; Mercury containing devices: Santa Clara County HHW Program, 299-7300.
Don’t forget to recycle your household batteries at the curb. Visit the Morgan Hill Development Services Center or BookSmart for a collection bag.
Tuesday, Sept. 15, is Donate and Shop at 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.
Wednesday, September 16th, 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 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The coats will go to underprivileged children and their parents.
Thursday, Sept. 17, is Second Sight Day. Bring your old eyeglasses to the Centennial Recreation Center (171 W. Edmundson Ave.) and the Lions Club will give them a second chance to serve someone less fortunate.
Friday, Sept. 18, is Recycle Your Cycle Day.
Have a used bike to donate? Bring it in and the Bicycle Exchange will fix it up and donate it to local charities that serve both children and adults.
The Bicycle Exchange accepts bicycles of all sizes from tricycles up to full-sized bicycles for adults. Flat tires and even broken or missing parts are not a problem. They have an extensive inventory of parts. Their volunteers can fix almost anything; however they do not restore paint and cannot reverse corrosion. Before donating your bike, ask yourself these questions: Could an experienced mechanic make this bike functional and safe to ride in one hour or less? Is the bike substantially free of rust and corrosion? Is the bike clean enough that you could offer it as a gift without embarrassment? If the answers are all “yes,” then we’ll gladly receive the bike.
Bicycle Exchange mechanics always have lots to do and none are paid, so we especially appreciate your effort to clean up your bike before donating it so they can focus on repairs.
In Morgan Hill, you can drop off your donation at the Morgan Hill Corporation Yard (100 Edes Court) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, September 19th – 20th are Morgan Hill’s South County Garage Sale Days.
Applications to participate, which are due by September 4th, are available at the City’s Development Services Center (the old library) and at www.secondchanceweek.com.
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 and at www.secondchanceweek.com .
For more information on any of these events, give us a call at 778-6480.
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 778-6480 or en*****@************ca.gov.
