Eastern Wisconsin Residents Demonstrate Their Commitment to Being Good Neighbors

Truckloads of computers, electronics, clothing and old medication were collected during the event Saturday. The items were brought by nearly 1,200 residents to one of 16 collection sites at Aurora hospitals and clinics.

Good Neighbor Day was established to help keep items out of landfills and to collect items that can benefit people who rely on a variety of community agencies for help. Among the items collected during the four-hour event:

    -- More than 1,600 pounds of old medication
    -- Nearly 12,200 pieces of used clothing
    -- More than 600 cell phones
    -- Nearly 430 computers
    -- Almost 600 teddy bears and stuffed animals
    -- More than 1,400 personal care items and new clothing

"In every way, the expansion of America Recycles Day into Aurora's first Good Neighbor Day was a major success," said Kimberly Welch, Aurora senior vice president of corporate affairs. "It was heart-warming to see so many residents brave this cold day to not only be good environmental stewards, but also help a neighbor in need. From the many volunteers who helped organize and work this day to the residents who made multiple trips to drop off items, we saw a wonderful spirit of care and community."

Good Neighbor Day was a collaborative effort involving more than 700 volunteers including local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school service groups, community volunteers, Aurora caregivers and others.

Many of the donated items will help women, children and others in the community:

    -- Walkers, crutches and other home medical equipment will be provided to
       patients who cannot afford these essential items to help in their
       recovery.
    -- The personal care items, new clothing and snacks will assist women and
       children who are being treated at Aurora's Sexual Assault Treatment
       Center.
    -- The stuffed animals, teddy bears and coloring books will help comfort
       children who come to hospital emergency departments or face other
       traumatic situations.
    -- Cell phones are helping women who rely on shelters to escape abusive
       situations.
    -- The used clothing will help people who rely on Goodwill Industries and
       the Salvation Army.
    -- The new hats, mittens and books will be provided by Aurora Family
       Service to children whose families cannot afford these items.

All of the items collected during Good Neighbor Day will be recycled or redistributed to places like domestic abuse shelters, Goodwill Industries, the Salvation Army, Lions Clubs and environmental groups.

"As a not-for-profit health system, we're especially grateful to the companies and organizations that teamed with us through their sponsorship of the day," Welch said.

Sponsors of the Aurora Good Neighbor Day included: Macy's, Time Warner Cable, JohnsonDiversey, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Ewald Automotive Group, Milwaukee Wave, Travel Leaders ofHales Corners, PRN Uniforms, CSE, Starbucks and Aurora Pharmacy.

    The specific items collected and totals include:

    Medication -- 1,630 pounds (54 drums)
    Microwave ovens -- 78
    Eyeglasses -- 810 pairs
    Cell phones -- 607
    Used clothing -- 12,135
    Televisions -- 236
    Coloring books and crayons -- 327
    New teddy bears and stuffed animals -- 571
    Personal care items, snacks, new clothing and undergarments -- 1,439
    New hats, mittens and children's books -- 1,342
    Computers -- 428
    Electronics -- 876
    Walkers, crutches, wheelchairs and other home medical equipment -- 451

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profitWisconsin health care provider and a national leader in efforts to improve the quality of care. Aurora provides care at sites in more than 90 communities throughout easternWisconsin.

SOURCE Aurora Health Care

Copyright © 2009, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze, Daily News

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