by Dennis Dalman
People might want to do an inventory soon of what they want to get rid of in their homes, garages and yards. That’s because the Sartell Lions Club is about to hold its annual Spring Cleanup Day in Sartell.
It will take place from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 20 in the parking lot of Riverview Intermediate School. Residents can bring disposable items to the drop-off site or have them picked up for a pick-up fee. Those who prefer the latter method should notify the Lions before April 18. To arrange a date and time for pick-up, call Cody Hauser at 320-828-6620 or email cody.hauser@dezurik.com.
The spring cleanup event is the Sartell Lions’ biggest fundraiser every year. All money raised is used to help fund Lions’ projects throughout such as Lions Community Park Inclusive Playground, an annual Bike Safety Rodeo for children, the recycled eyeglass campaign and many other good civic deeds. A recent project was the three-day KidSight vision screenings at three Sartell schools.
Lions member Cory Hauser is chair of the Spring Cleanup effort. In an interview with the Newsleaders, he said he wants readers to know the cleanup activity is not free. In years past, some people have brought disposable items to the Riverview site and assumed it was a city-sponsored event – and thus free.
Hauser also noted items the Spring Cleanup cannot accept – bare or broken tube TVs, paints, solvents oils, chemicals or gas-operated refrigerators, propane cylinders, yard waste or prescription medications (such meds can be disposed of at a drop box in the Sartell Police Department, and yard waste can be brought to the Sartell Compost Site, which opened April 1.). The other items listed above can be brought to be disposed of – free – at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 3601 Fifth St. S. in Waite Park, just southwest of the Fleet Farm store.
Items and Fees
The following is a list of items and fees that can be accepted for Spring Cleanup Day.
A pickup/trailer load (size 6 x 6 feet) can be dropped off for $150.
Acceptable items are office or business furniture, $30 for each item; refrigerated appliances $30 each; couches, stuffed chairs $30 each; mattresses, box springs $30 each; commercial appliances $30 each; fluorescent bulbs $3 each; car batteries $5 each; tires $10 each; TVs, computers and other electronic items, $1 per pound.
Payment can be made at the site in cash or in checks made out to “Sartell Lions.”
Help
About 20 Lions Club members and nearly a dozen Boy Scouts work on Spring Cleanup Day to help unload disposables brought by vehicles that have averaged anywhere from 100-150 each spring, Hauser noted.
The Lions Club makes about $5,000, on average, on cleanup day. The event will take place despite inclement weather. Last year, for example, the work went on despite rain.
Hauser said the Lions try to schedule the cleanup day every year as close as possible to “Earth Day” because by that day in spring, people tend to be more aware of protecting the environment by properly disposing of old items in houses, garages and yards.
Another good way to help the Lions fund their good works for the city is to join the club. If interested, call Lions member Mike DeLuca at 320-293-1560 or email him at mikedel53@outlook.com.
This photo was taken years ago at the annual Sartell Lions Spring Clean-Up Day in the parking lot of Sartell Middle (now Riverview Intermediate School). The event has been held for at least 25 years. From left to right are Lions member Mike DeLuca, park-project chairman; and members of the Knights Lacrosse Team, who volunteered at the event – Reese Nordin, Sartell; Kevin Friesz, Sauk Rapids (in black top); Xavier Corpus, Sartell (leaning on dryer); Adam Balounstz, Sartell; and Riley Filsmyer, Sartell.
