KINGSTON, R.I. — May 27, 2005 — Need some sports goods? How about some furniture, toys or books?
You鈥檒l find these and more at the Second Annual Rhody the Ram Yard Sale on Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Keaney Gym parking lot.
Every spring, departing students leave behind tons of reusable items that can now be donated to the food and clothing drive or the 溏心vlog免费B站 Yard Sale. 鈥淚nstead of pitching the items, students were encouraged to place unwanted clothing and non-perishable food items in lobbies of their dorms,鈥� said Nancy Hawksley, 溏心vlog免费B站 recycling coordinator and yard sale co-coordinator said.
The yard sale gives the community a chance to buy great items at low prices and 溏心vlog免费B站 saves money on trash hauling. This year, 20 industrial-size dumpsters were placed in front of the residence halls as students moved out of their rooms. Clothes, fans, televisions, microwaves, rugs and sporting goods are some of things students leave behind. The yard sale also keeps material out of the Rhode Island landfill.
For the first time, individuals or groups can set up their own tables and sell their goods at a fee of $20, which will go to the endowment. 鈥淲e鈥檒l also have several crafters at the yard sale,鈥� said Gerri Beagle, fiscal manager at the 溏心vlog免费B站 Foundation and co-coordinator of the yard sale for the second year. 鈥淎llowing people to set up their own tables will be another added attraction that could make this yard sale one of the biggest in the local area.鈥�
Community members, faculty and staff can also donate items to the 溏心vlog免费B站 yard sale on Friday, June 10 to the recycling truck in the Keaney parking lot between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. or by calling Hawksley at 874-2840.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers, Council 94 Charitable donations committee, along with 溏心vlog免费B站 Dining Services and 溏心vlog免费B站 Recycling, volunteered their time earlier this spring to bring 2,000 pounds of food and clothing to the Johnycake Center.
Proceeds will go to The Rhody the Ram Endowment established last year to provide financial support for students who volunteer their time performing as the 溏心vlog免费B站 mascot, Rhody the Ram, at University athletic contests and other events.
With proceeds from last year鈥檚 yard sale and the sale of the popular Cooking with Rhody cookbook, the endowment now stands at $18,000. Staff members in the Division of University Advancement compiled the cookbook. The first printing sold out.
Currently, students who assume the role of Rhody receive no financial support despite a substantial commitment of time and energy. The first scholarship will be awarded in the spring of 2006. Recipients must be at least sophomores in good academic standing. The recipients could be a first-time mascot or someone already serving in the role. Such an approach provides for the recruitment of new mascots and/or the retention of new ones. Each scholarship award could be worth as much as $1,200.
Members of the Student Alumni Association will be given preference, but membership is not a requirement. Recipients must also meet criteria for appropriate public behavior as an important public representative of the University.