Give your used belongings that you don’t need anymore a “second chance” at a series of garage sales, recycling and donation events throughout South County starting Sept. 12.
The annual Second Chance Week starts with the citywide Gilroy Garage Sale Sept. 12 and 13. It ends with a similar weekend event in Morgan Hill Sept. 19 and 20, according to city staff.
“Each day of the week is dedicated to making people aware of different ways to reduce, reuse and recycle,” said Morgan Hill Environmental Services Assistant Andi Borowski.
Events include:
—Universal Waste Awareness day Sept. 14: Properly dispose of consumer electronics, batteries, fluorescent lighting and other devices that contain mercury. Locations include Johnson Lumber and Ace Hardware in Morgan Hill; Westside Recycling, 16290 Railroad Ave. in Morgan Hill, and Pacific Recycling, 5895 Obata Way in Gilroy; and the Santa Clara County HHW program for mercury containing devices (call 408-299-7300 for details).
—Freecycle Day Sept. 15: Freecycle helps reduce waste by connecting people who are throwing away unwanted items with others seeking the same items. There are freecycle groups in both Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Visit trashnothing.com and click “Join Now” to sign up.
—Donate Coats for Kids and Adults Too Day Sept. 16: Bring your children’s gently used coats to the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, or Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna Street. The coats will be donated to underprivileged children and their parents, according to city staff.
—Second Sight Day Sept. 17: Bring your old eyeglasses to Gilroy City Hall or the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center. The Lions Club will give your eyeglasses a second chance to serve someone less fortunate.
—Recycle your Cycle Day Sept. 18: Do you have a used bicycle to donate? Drop it off at the Morgan Hill Corp Yard, 100 Edes Court, or Sunshine Bikes in Gilroy, 311 First Street. Bicycles for children and adults will be accepted. Donors are asked to donate bicycles that are functional and can be easily repaired by a mechanic, free of rust or corrosion and clean enough that you would accept it as a gift.
To register your garage sale for either of the Gilroy or Morgan Hill garage sale weekends, visit secondchanceweek.com. Applications are due no later than Sept. 4 for the Gilroy garage sales, and no later than Sept. 11 for Morgan Hill participants.
A full list of participating garage sales will also be posted on the website before the events.
Second Chance Week is sponsored by the cities of Morgan Hill and Gilroy, as well as Santa Clara County. For more information call (408) 310-4169.
