Green and Clean: Giving Back to the Community

March 5, 2020

Green & Clean: Shred & More Event

Giving Back to the Community

by Scott Sackin

Green and Clean Shred and More 2018 — Green & Clean Event 2018, CUMC

Green and Clean: Giving Back to the Community

When: Saturday, July 18th, 2020 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Where: Community United Methodist Church (6652 Heil Avenue Huntington Beach, CA)

What: Paper for shredding, e-waste, food donations, and gently used (small) household items and clothes

Why: To clean out the house AND give back to the community

Partners: SoCal Shred, All-Green Recycling, CUMC Food Pantry, and Huntington Beach Assistance League

The return to daylight saving time is coming in a week and that means Spring is just around the corner! More importantly, that means it’s going to be time for the Sackin-Stone Team’s 7th Annual Green & Clean Shred & More Event coming up on Saturday, July 18th. Be sure to save the date for the best, most organized shredding event in Orange County based on unofficial reviews!

As our real estate clients have come to know, everything we do is intended to produce a Different & Better outcome for them. This event is no exception. While there are many opportunities for folks to shred their unwanted documents this time of year, our event allows participants to give back to the local community as well.

Back in 2014, when we first started this event, we thought that we could do more than your typical local shred event by offering E-Waste disposal. E-Waste by definition is anything with a cord; from a computer monitor to television, to an outdated video cassette player.

We also thought it could be a great time for people to clean out their closets, garages, and donate their gently used household items and clothing to the Huntington Beach Assistance League, one of our team’s designated charities. This local chapter of the national organization is 100% volunteer, owns their land, building, and thrift store outright. They are able to do so much good for children and adults in our community and we’re honored to have them partner with our event. In past years we’ve had as many as four full truckloads of items that go back to their store for sorting, cleaning, and resale. The best thing is that all of the donated items are resold to the community and all profits are given back to the community.

Next, we thought we could help the hungry in our community. Since our event is held in the parking lot of the Community United Methodist Church on Heil Avenue in Huntington Beach, it was natural for us to partner with the Community Food Pantry which distributes food to families in need. Each ear they tell us what foods are most needed and these range from peanut butter and macaroni and cheese to canned fruits and vegetables. The outpouring of support has been amazing. Many people will not just clean out their pantries, but go to a big box store and buy a case of something to donate. The generosity of the local community really shines on this day!

Fast forward to 2020 and we are getting ready for the seventh incarnation of our event. Each year we listen to feedback from participants and have evolved into a very streamlined operation. This includes easy-access with two organized traffic lanes and minimal waiting. Our volunteers unload all cars and for those that want to watch their items being shredded, they’re welcome to do that too.

For those that want to hang out a little bit, we have a snack tent where our friendly volunteers from the Community United Methodist Church and the Assistance League are waiting by with a warm smile. Plus, this is always a great time for everyone on our team to catch up with our valued clients, even if we just chat with them for a few minutes.

As a member of this church, I’m also super excited to unveil our completely renovated Sanctuary. This year the architects took our iconic 50’s modern building and have turned it into a modern piece of architecture focused on a tranquil meditation garden. I imagine anyone interested in architecture might actually want to check it out just to see one of the newest spaces in town.

Remember to make a plan now and start your spring cleaning early! On July 18th from 9:00-1:00 pm, 6652 Heil Avenue (between Goldenwest and Edwards) will be the place to get Shredded, E-wasted, De-cluttered, and Gratified… Plus have a little fun at the same time.

As you begin cleaning out your homes, just a couple of notes to keep in mind. The shredding trucks cannot accept hanging file folders or the alligator type clips. Pat DeRush, general manager of the Assistance League thrift store reminds us that “gently used” clothing, toys, kitchenware, etc. means something you would happily purchase in their store. Unfortunately, they cannot accept furniture, car seats, mattresses or beds.

If you have any questions about the event at all, contact us directly. We are always looking for partners and volunteers! Stay Green & Clean!