Council on Aging sets scrap metal drive

Van Wert independent/Council on Aging information

Got scrap?

The Council on Aging in Van Wert is hoping you do, because the local non-profit agency that serves senior citizens has launched a scrap metal drive beginning now through early May to help raise funds.

“The rising fuel prices will undoubtedly impact our budget this year,” said Council on Aging Executive Director Cindy Wood. “With transportation such a large part of programming, the increasing fuel costs can create excessive strain on our budget. As a non-profit, we continually look for ways to raise money to help supplement our programming, and we hope the scrap metal drive can help us do that.”

Wood said the fundraiser will not only benefit the local agency, but will help towards cleaning up the community as well.

“People typically don’t think about it, but most everyone has some type of metal lying around, and spring time is a good time to think about getting things cleaned up and cleared out.”

The Council on Aging is accepting any type of metal objects that can be turned into recycling centers for money. The COA will also pick up any junk vehicles, as well as batteries. Recently, Van Wert City Council has been addressing issues of scraps and junk littering the community, and much work has been done to take steps to ensure everyone in the community does their part to clean up the city.

“We began thinking about ways to help, and we thought a scrap metal drive would be wonderful for our agency, as well as the community,” Wood said.

The drive is being held now through May 5. Roll-off trucks will be available in the near future behind the Van Wert Senior Center, located at 220 Fox Road in Van Wert. Until then, scrap metal can be dropped off at the warehouse just east of the senior center. Assistance will be available to help unload any scrap metal.

Pick-up is also available for those not able to bring in their scrap metal to the center. “We encourage people to bring it in, but if someone really wants to help and cannot get it here, we will come pick it up,” Wood said, adding that COA staff and volunteers will have name tags to identify them as workers for the agency.

Examples of items that will be accepted include metal car parts, appliances (including refrigerators, freezers, stoves, washers and dryers), old pots and pans, copper wiring, aluminum storm doors and aluminum cans.

Volunteers to help with the scrap drive are needed as well. Those interested can call 419-238-5011 to be placed on a volunteer list. The Council on Aging will also use this opportunity to begin accepting donations for its annual warehouse sale, which will begin the last weekend of July. Donations of furniture, household items, and misc. garage sale items will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the center. Limited pick-up is available for garage sale items. “Our annual garage sale is by far our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we appreciate everyone’s help in donating items for our sale,” Wood said, adding that the agency does not accept clothing for the sale.

For more information, call 419.238.5011.