The Big Brothers Big Sisters Donation Center has had two green bins located in Pea Ridge at the White Oak gas station since April of 2013. These bins were at a central location for the community to donate used clothing and household items that go to help fund the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas mentoring programs.
Pea Ridge has contributed more than 86,000 pounds of clothing alone since the bins were placed there, according to city officials.
According to the statistics from the Donation Center, Pea Ridge has consistently been the top producing bin location this year among other towns including: Rogers, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Lowell and Springdale. Unfortunately, the Donation Center had to recently remove the bins from the White Oak Gas Station location due to unauthorized dumping of items outside of the bins.
When speaking with the Community Outreach Specialist for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Donation Center, Ashley Byrd, she said: "We hated to lose the bin location in Pea Ridge because the community here loves to give back!"
She said Donation Center offers free at-home pickups for larger items or donations; anyone wishing to schedule a pickup can call 479-927-9500 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
"We have recently worked with the organization to find a new location for the bins in cooperation with the Community First Bank. The bins will soon be located behind the Community First Bank in the parking lot of the Townsend Center, across from the new Walmart Neighborhood Market," Byrd said.
"We are encouraging members of the community to please follow the guidelines for donating items at the new bin location. All items that you wish to donate must be able to fit inside of the bins or you can call the number provided above to get a free pickup."
"If there continues to be items left outside of the bins, we will be forced to remove the bin location from the community," she said. "We would also like to stress to you that the unauthorized dumping of items onto the property outside of the bins is illegal and can result in fines."
For questions about donating to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Donation Center or the location of the green bins, contact the Community Outreach Specialist, Ashley Byrd, at 757-9527.
"We want to thank you for being a community that gives back and supports missions like that of Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide mentors for at-risk youth," Byrd said.
General News on 06/11/2014