By JESSICA R. WASMUND
jessica.wasmund@gnnewspaper.com
A handful of Medina Boy Scouts, members of Troop 28, clamored up and down the stairs of Grant-Pollard, Inc., Insurance early Thursday morning, carrying with them boxes upon boxes of old papers.
Each of those boxes translated to gold for the boys, who are collecting the papers on behalf of their newest fundraising project.
“Upstairs in our attic we stored all our paperwork — old policies and statements dating back to 1954,” explained Hannah Pollard-Brandt, owner of the agency. “A couple weeks ago we decided to start cleaning out our attic when Darlene Witte e-mailed me requesting anyone with old paper to contact Troop 28. I called her and I would be able to help the boys out, and they were very interested. I spent two days organizing and did the first phase of cleaning, an the boys are here (today) cleaning things out.”
Witte, committee chairperson for the troop, came up with the concept and “ran with it,” according to Scoutmaster Don Miller. The program began more than a year ago, in May 2007. It started with just on bin outside Witte’s business, Vision 2000, and a second behind the troops’ sponsor the Medina United Methodist Church.
Since then it has snowballed into two bins at each locations, and numerous contributions from various community businesses, some of whom contribute daily, such as BMP and Trek.
“It’s wonderful that so many businesses and local people are helping us with this program,” Witte said. “Right now the paper retriever company is running a goal incentive program. It started in May and runs through August.
“The troop right now earns $5 a ton for up to $3.99 each ton, per location per monthly pick up. If we recycle four tons per month, per location, it will jump to $15 a ton, which is a huge difference. So our goal is to get four tons per month at each location.”
Miller explained the money raised will go toward new equipment for the boys, and toward any fees and dues for camping trips.
“If any child in a troop ever needs a little (financial) help the money will go for that — no kid will ever be denied camping because there’s not enough money,” he said.
As a Girl Scout troop leader, Pollard-Brandt understands the need the organizations have for donations.
“I know (raising money) has been difficult,” she said. “It’s been harder to get funds like we used to because people just aren’t donating like they have in the past, so troops are always trying to come up with new ways to raise money.”
Witte says the program will continue to run year-round. For more information on the program, visit www.paperretriever.com.
“It is a great thing for the environment and the troop earns a little money while doing it,” she said. Contact editor Jessica Wasmund
at 798-1400, ext. 8225.
