Springtime is often a season associated with cleaning, and that association holds true on the campus of West Virginia University. As students on and off campus begin packing up their living spaces, they are encouraged to think before they throw items in the trash and donate any unwanted household items to the Blue & Gold Mine Sale.

The event, in its 11th year, is an annual rummage sale focused on keeping the community clean, keeping usable items out of landfills and raising money for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. Beginning May 4, students may drop off donations to any collection box at each residence hall or one of the four additional donation stations around Morgantown — Chateau Royale, the top of Falling Run Road, Seneca Center and Woodburn School. Items may also be dropped off directly to the East Concourse of Milan Puskar Stadium Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Items like furniture, home d�cor, kitchenware, clothing and electronics are welcome, however, mattresses and televisions will not be accepted.

“We’re happy to hold this well-known and always successful sale,” said Traci Knabenshue, interim director of sustainability at WVU. “Being able to partner with the community to ease the collective burden of so many students moving out of housing in a short time period and to use the sale as an example of ‘waste not, want not’ principles is a win-win for us.”

This year’s sale is on Saturday, May 23, at the stadium’s East Concourse. New this year is a bag sale admission price — shoppers may purchase a custom reusable bag to fit as many items as possible for one flat rate of $20, which includes early bird admission. Early bird admission without the bag is $5. The early bird sale lasts from 7-8:30 a.m. Admission is free after 8:30 a.m.

“This truly is a community effort,” said Samantha Murdock, volunteer connection manager at United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. “Without the support of nearly 100 volunteers during the sale, and donations from WVU students and the community, none of this would be possible.”

Those interested in volunteering to sort items or to help during the sale may contact Samantha Murdock at 304-296-7525 or samantha@unitedwaympc.org.

To find out more about the collection process and sale, please visit http://bluegoldmine.wvu.edu

-WVU-

st/4/29/15
CONTACT: Stephanie Toothman, interim conservation specialist, Facilities & Services
304-293-9500, Stephanie.Toothman@mail.wvu.edu

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