The best planning sometimes does not work out. The Morrison Lions had everything planned for its first, community, Recycle Day, including a computer-drawn map of the recycling routes at Water Works Park[, on Saturday, September 8, 2018.] Then Mother Nature came along. She emptied the sky over several days and sent flood waters through the park. The Lions Recycle Committee quickly gathered to brainstorm for a Plan B. Meeting with only three days remaining before the [event,] the Committee said our prayers and reached out to Todd Mickley of the Whiteside County Fair [Board.] Within minutes Todd, without hesitation, was working closely with the Committee, and plans were being made to move the event to the fairgrounds. Prayers answered!
We owe so much gratitude to Todd Mickley and the Whiteside County Fair Board, for opening their great facility to the Lions, so we could continue the planned Morrison Recycle Day. The community event went on as scheduled with a huge turnout. The consensus from the Lions and the public…was that the fairgrounds was an ideal place to hold the event. We do apologize for any unintentional confusion on there being a cost for accepting TV’s, computer monitors, and microwaves. The Lions are charged a cost for recycling those items.
The Morrison Lions would like to thank again our original partners for the event: City of Morrison, Morrison Police, Schuler Motors, Inc., Boy Scout Troop 96, Morrison Auto Supply/Car Quest, American Legion, Self Help Enterprises, Roggy’s Scrap Metal Hauling, First Presbyterian and Christian Reformed Churches, and DQ Grill & Chill.
In addition [we] extend a big thank you for additional support to the Morrison Chamber of Commerce, Yarbrough Appliance, Sullivan’s Foods, Resthave Home, Super Wash, R. C. Smith Transportation, and TBK Bank. We thank all of the volunteers, including Morrison High School Key Club members, and the public for their participation, which helped make the event a success. We also would like to gratefully thank all those who generously donated money at the event.
Early statistics regarding the recyclables collected indicate
- over 175 TV’s/computer monitors, 15 microwaves, 82 cell phones, one pound of keys, five hearing aids, 165 pairs of glasses, 46 ink/toner cartridges, and 47 pounds of decorative string lights
- a very large box of American flags
- Chief Brian Melton, also a member of the Lions Club, received more ammunition than in previous years and several large bags, filled to the brim, of medications.
- Boy Scouts were busy collecting aluminum cans.
- People took advantage of Morrison Auto Supply’s offer to recycle large batteries.
- Roggy’s Scrap Metal Hauling left the fairgrounds with three trailers loaded to the hilt.
- Volunteers from First Presbyterian and Christian Reformed churches left with a trailer filled with newspapers, cardboard, books, and magazines.
The Morrison Lions took on the recycle project as it was determined to be a much-needed service for the Morrison community. This event reflected a good way to keep the Lions’ motto, “We Serve,” and [demonstrate] as the saying goes–where there is a need, there is a Lion.
We would love to hear your comments and suggestions about Recycle Day. Please send any comments by email to FStralow@mchsi.com. Also please let her know if you are interested in learning more about Morrison Lions. We are a fun, informal group working for the good of the community and, in particular, to provide support to those with vision and hearing difficulties.
For additional information about Morrison Lions, please visit our website www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/morrisonil. The group meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at noon, at Happy Joe’s, 109 W. Main Street, Morrison, IL.
Below, volunteer Dennis Countryman and Lions Terry Costello and Trevan Burn assisted customers unload TV’s at Recycle Day.
