EcoFest Encourages Recycling, Green Living

Wilkins School Community Center is hosting an event to educate and encourage families to reduce, reuse and recycle through the fifth annual EcoFest, held Oct. 15.

EcoFest brings in different organizations who will pass out information and offer recycling opportunities the day of the event. At one table, old t-shirts will be transformed into new handbags, while a clothing swap also will be held—bring in some of your hand-me-downs and walk away with a new wardrobe.

“It’s to give everybody more information about the environment, recycling and it’s a free event,” Kay Wetzel said. “Kids are welcome and can do lots of things there as well.”

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizations that are getting involved include Frick Environmental Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Black and Gold City Goes Green, Creative Reuse Pgh. and more.

“At CMU, they have converted Honda Civics to electric engines and they are going to bring a car,” Patty Doody said. “B.J. Searcy also will be there with her car, which is ‘fueled by the Square Cafe.’”

The event also gives people a chance to bring in old batteries, crutches, walkers, canes, manual wheelchairs and shower benches. Goodwill Industries will be on site to accept TV’s, computers, monitors, printers, phones, and other small electronics.

An educational table regarding Marcellus Shale issues also will be set up, while homemade soups will be offered throughout the day.

“We wanted to involve the community and we were always very interested in recycling and in getting more people to do that,” said Wetzel.

The furnaces at Wilkins School Community Center all are controlled in a way that depends on the thermostat to save energy, yet another way they hope to lead by example.

Glass artist Daviea Davis of Edgewood will be at EcoFest to construct a large mosaic for the center. Giveaways will be included in a free raffle, including a bag filled with lightbulbs and a gift certificate for using the party room at WSCC, which is worth $120. Music Together also donated a basket filled with children’s instruments.

“I am looking forward to the fact that we have so many new things for people to see,” Doody said. “It serves a purpose for people as they can get rid of some things with no cost.”

Live music is included in the day’s events, along with plenty of activities for kids, including birdhouse making and face painting.

For more information e-mail wsccpgh@yahoo.com or call 412-244-8458.