FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 6, 2019
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sean Campbell, Communication Assistant
(607) 257-9699 x9929
sean.campbell@fingerlakesreuse.org
Finger Lakes ReUse Launches Reinforce ReUse Fundraising Challenge
ITHACA, NY…Finger Lakes ReUse, a not-for-profit organization committed to turning waste into resources through reuse, is launching its ‘Reinforce ReUse’ Fundraising Challenge on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 and ending on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. The goal of this Challenge is to raise $100,000 to support the organization and finalize the purchase of the Ithaca ReUse Center building. Community members can donate to Reinforce ReUse at both ReUse Centers or online at ithacareuse.org/Reinforce.
Finger Lakes ReUse invites the public to participate in this three-week fundraising challenge to complete the acquisition of the Ithaca ReUse Center property and support its operation, ensuring that the popular location located at 214 Elmira Rd will offer reuse programs and services for years to come. The Reinforce ReUse Challenge will include the debut release of a video series produced by artist/photographer Robyn Wishna, highlighting community members’ experiences with ReUse and inviting the public to join this challenge before the goal completion date of February 26th. As a registered not-for-profit organization, Finger Lakes ReUse depends in part on charitable contributions to offer a way for Tompkins County residents to reuse their unwanted materials locally, as well as offering community programs.
”Opening the Ithaca ReUse Center has helped us understand and demonstrate that there is enormous demand for more reuse infrastructure. It’s been an exciting challenge and we’re proud that our sales are now covering our labor costs as we work hard to become more efficient, and are now earning 75% of our revenues through material sales and program fees” says Executive Director Diane Cohen.
The Ithaca ReUse Center first opened to the public in December 2015. Finger Lakes ReUse’s second ReUse Center in the Ithaca area, this location has created living wage job opportunities and room for career advancement for people who have experienced barriers to employment. The Ithaca ReUse Center is the home of the ReSET job training program which provides engaging, hands-on work experience in high-demand occupational fields, the eCenter computer refurbishing and repair program; and the Ithaca Fixers Collective, a volunteer-run group dedicated to repairing reusable items. In response to high and increasing community engagement in reuse activities over its 10-year history, Finger Lakes ReUse is planning to expand its operations over the next several years. Finalizing the purchase of the Ithaca ReUse Center is an important step toward this longer-term project.
“We have been overjoyed and overwhelmed by the community response and are grateful to everyone who has contributed time and resources to help make this work” says Cohen.
For more information about the Reinforce ReUse Challenge, visit ithacareuse.org/Reinforce.
About Finger Lakes ReUse
Finger Lakes ReUse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization operating ReUse Centers open daily to the public in an effort to expand the reuse of materials, provide job training opportunities, create living-wage jobs; improve the local standard of living, and teach repair and reuse skills. In the course of achieving these goals, ReUse builds community, strengthens the local economy, and protects the environment by redirecting materials away from landfills and into productive reuse. For more information, visit www.ithacareuse.org.