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HUNDREDS TURN
OUT TO PROMOTE A CLEANER, GREENER WORLD IN BELLAIRE
Saturday, November 14th marked the first annual Bellaire Recycles
Day and it is estimated that over 150 people participated in the event
on a beautiful, sunny fall day. Based on the positive comments from
citizens, if Mother Earth had assigned a grade, she’d certainly have
awarded an “A” to the successful event. With the support of Joe Keene,
Director of Public Works, and City Council, the Bellaire Recycling
Committee hosted this observance of America and Texas Recycles Day to
educate and promote the social, environmental and economic significance
of recycling, reducing and re-using.
Mayor Siegel signed an official proclamation marking November 14 as
Bellaire Recycles Day. Mayor Siegel also challenged Bellaire citizens to
look for ways to increase recycling. “ Currently, about 30% of our
citizens participate in the Curbside Recycling Program and we would like
to see 50% participation”. Showing their support by attending the event
were Mayor Siegel and City Council members Jim Avioli, Pat McLaughlan,
Mandy Nathan and Will Hickman along with City Council candidates Andrew Friedberg
and Roseann Rogers and many City of Bellaire employees.
 Over
a dozen “green” businesses and charitable organizations donated their
time and were on hand to talk to citizens about their goods and
services, how to improve our City and quality of life. The Bellaire
Lions Club, Junk Goes Green, Envicorp Products, Texas Home Insulation,
Sunshine Resale Shop, Faith Lutheran Church, Fairy Godmother Project,
Naturalcare Cleaning Service, Raintube Houston and Batteries Plus were
among those participating in the event. According to Joe Keene,
“Being “green” also means we can make an impact by re-using items and
sharing them with those less fortunate and we did just that.” On
Bellaire Recycles Day, the Lion’s Club collected approximately 250 pair
of eye glasses; the Fairy Godmother Project collected many bags of prom
and formal attire to give to students unable to afford prom attire;
Faith Lutheran Church collected boxes of blankets and coats for the
homeless; and Techs and Trainers collected computers to provide training
and computer skills to the disabled.
 While
the grown ups were talking about recycling, the kids were enjoying games
and treats. There was “Smash a Can”, recycle bingo, face painting, “Make
a Recycling Promise” and more, along with free snacks from HEB Bellaire,
ice cream from Baskin Robbins and drinks from Chick-Fil-A. Student
volunteers from the Environmental Clubs at DeBakey High School for the
Health Professions and Bellaire High School were on hand to help out
with all the activities. The Houston Reuseit-Wisely Mascot stopped by
for photo opps with the young and old alike. A Bellaire garbage truck
was on hand with Bellaire garbage and recycling statistics. Great
giveaways and educational materials were available for attendees.
Approximately 100 adults took the “Recycling Pledge” and were entered
for prize drawings. At the end of the event, Recycling Committee members
drew names for over twenty valuable prizes. See a complete list of
winners on the Recycling Committee website (www.bellairerecycles.org).
Across the street, the Friends of the Bellaire library was holding its
Fall Book Sale where books for reuse were for sale at unbelievable
prices.
The Bellaire Recycling Committee is grateful for the
in-kind donations from our neighbors at HEB (Bissonnet), Baskin Robbins
(Bellaire), Whole Foods Market (Bellaire Blvd.), Chick Fil A (Beechnut)
Waste Management and Epic Custom Homes. Thanks to these businesses,
there were lots of good eats, giveaways and advertisement. Thanks to all those who attended our
first year event!
DRAWING PRIZE WINNERS
Thanks to all (approx 100 adults) who took
the pledge
HEB $30 Gift Card -- Nora Brown Greenstar 4 Stainless Mugs -- Gayle
Davies Magpies $20 Gift Certificate -- Adrienne Davis K-Nails $12
Gift Certificate -- Teresa Bishop-Smith Auntie Pastos $25 Gift
Certificate -- Andrew Murland Teas Potted Plant -- Elaine Lange
O'Reilly Auto Parts $25 Gift Certificate -- Joanne Go Starbucks -
Bellaire 1 LB Coffee -- Jeff Nixon Good Things Antiques $25 Gift
Certificate -- Ray Argamany Brisket Bar B Q $20 Gift
Certificate -- Brenda Roberts Palace (Tropicana) Bowling Center 3
Family Bowl Certificates (4 free games each)
Carolyn Springer, Jo Monday, Jamie Smith Kwik Kopy 250 Personalalized
Note Cards -- Michelle Mourad BRC Donor Green Science Enviro
Battery -- Susan Speert Walgreen's UH Sweatshirt and
Recycle Bag -- Susie Tannery Naturalcare Cleaning Service
$150 Gift Certificate -- Jason Goodman Beck's Prime $30 Gift
Certificate -- Lynn McBee Skeeters/Los Tios $25 Gift
Certificate -- Ira Leichman
Thanks to all the local business
who donated these items!!
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 Remember these organizations that collected items for reuse AT BELLAIRE
RECYCLES DAY when you have a need to clean out your home. Thanks to all
participants!
Sunshine Resale Shop
http://www.ccschouston.com/resaleshop.html
The resale shop is at 5407 Bellaire Blvd. The shop takes just about everything--if
they can't use it they recycle it!
Techs and Trainers
http://www.techsandtrainers.org/recycling.htm Techs and Trainers
strives to provide a basic computer service to the disabled community of
greater Houston. A computer donation from you will provide needed
computer training and skills development for someone with barriers to
employment. Certain items are not accepted so be sure and check their
website above.
The Fairy Godmother Project
http://fairygodmotherproject.com/donate.php The Fairy Godmother
Project seeks donations of new or gently used formal dresses, cocktail
dresses, women's shoes, jewelry and other items as listed on the
website. The Fairy Godmother Project of
Houston was started in 2000 as a grass roots
organization to help students in the Houston
area who cannot afford to purchase a prom dress or prom attire. Each
year they provide hundreds of students in the Houston area with free
prom dresses and tuxedos.
Bellaire Lions Club 
http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/our-work/sight-programs/eyeglass-recycling/index.phpThroughout
the year Lions Clubs collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to
regional
Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERCs).
LERC volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the
glasses. Most of the recycled glasses are distributed to people in
need in developing countries where they will have the greatest impact.
Faith Lutheran Church

conducted
a COAT AND BLANKET
DRIVE which benefited the
Coalition for the Homeless
of Houston/Harris County
www.houstonhomeless.org
They collected over 100 coats, jackets, sweaters and blankets.
Organizations/vendors that participed at the event:
Bellaire Recycling Committee
Educational materials on the Bellaire curbside
program, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Yard Waste, Hazardous Waste disposal,
and much more. Take the Recycle Pledge!
Junk goes green
http://junkgoesgreen.reachlocal.net/aboutus.html
Envircorp Products
Educational
materials on consumer waste and Envitote, a reusable bag
http://www.envicorp.com/
RainTube
http://www.raintubeofhouston.com/ Eco-friendly guttering and
rainwater collection systems made in Houston
Naturalcare Cleaning Service
Eco-friendly cleaning service.
http://www.naturalccs.com/
Batteries Plus
http://www.batteriesplus.com/t-batteries-plus-recycles.aspx
Texas Home Insulation
http://www.texashomeinsulation.com/
NotTrash Houston
http://www.nottrash-houston.net/
Organizations making donations to the
event:
Epic Custom Homes, Whole Foods Bellaire, Waste
Management, Greenstar,
Chick-fil-a
HEB
Bellaire, Baskin
Robbins, O'Reilly Auto Parts and many others.
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