The Westport Lions Reuse & Recycle Centre is open every Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m. You can obtain yellow garbage bags at the centre to be use in the Lions, PITCH-In initiative.
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Jim Scala
On Friday April 22, the Lions Reuse and Recycle retail store will open for our second season, Fridays, and Saturdays 10 a.m. to1 p.m. until June 2 when we will be open Thursdays as well.
Online sales are also available through Facebook Marketplace and our own Facebook pages, Westport Lions Reuse & Recycle Sales Centre, or Westport Lions Club Reuse Sales Centre group.
Our first year was a successful one thanks to the generosity of:
- Local people who donated and purchased furniture, appliances, décor items and tools.
- Our dedicated volunteer staff who kept us going through the on again off again COVID restrictions.
- George Tackaberry and Sons for donating the use of the building and helping with its upkeep.
During our first year the club received donations of an estimated 2,500 items and sold over 2,000 of these generating significant income. All income from public sales is used to support The Lions Beach and Park Complex as well as many other Lions public service activities.
The recycling of metals and electronics was successful providing additional funds for club activities. The club recycled six large 30-foot containers of metal, about 21 tons of material and one 20-foot container with three tons of unwanted electronics.
The R&R Centre was used to distribute lures for spongy moth caterpillars. This project sponsored by a local partnership of Westport Area Outdoor Association, Wolfe Lake Association, Devil Lake Association and The Westport Lions Club.
The Lions Medical Assistance Devices Lending Program is offered through the R & R Centre. This service lends out equipment such as manual wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, canes, crutches, bed rails etc. for temporary use.
What’s new for 2022?
- Point-of-Sale terminal for debit and credit cards to provide more convenient ways to pay for purchases
- Newly renovated and organized display areas provide for better viewing of items
- Improved access and parking
With our first-year experience we are left with two challenges. While we attempt to accept all donations as described in our What We Accept list shown on our Facebook page, our attendants may have to refuse items upon examination. Some items could become a financial burden for the R&R Centre in the form of disposal fees. This is due to items in unacceptable condition or dated and unsaleable.
Providing pictures of larger items will often establish suitability.
To confirm acceptability call (613) 273 5789 leave a message or personal message on Facebook
We realize in some cases we will have to pick up items being donated but using senior volunteers with their own vehicles is a challenge. Please try to have donations dropped off Thursday, Friday, or Saturday 10-1 if possible. If pickup is necessary, please have all items at ground level preferably outside on a porch, in a garage or driveway. Pickups will be done on Saturdays 9:00 a.m. and noon.
We are looking for volunteers to help with pickups, we are pleased to provide a gratuitous payment to cover expenses for time and travel.
“SAVE MONEY, SUPPORT LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES AND KEEP USEFUL ITEMS OUT OF THE LANDFILL”
Westport Lions Club 