On Monday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Rec Center hosted a free thrift store for the campus community in the lower-level basketball courts.

Clothes, crafting goods and toys were among the items attendees could find. “Recycle and Donate Day”, as the event is called, was open to all members of the Rec Center and is aimed at environmental conservation through recycling.

“We try to touch on each of the dimensions of wellness. Looking at environmental wellness, we were trying to figure out how we can make an impact with campus with that, and so that’s why we put this event on revolving around National Recycling Day,” said Director of Recreation & Wellness Janel Molnar.

While this is an annual event, this year’s marketing focused more on promoting the thrift store aspect, as “it’s more with what college students do,” as Molnar said.

“I saw the sign, and I was actually walking up on the top floor, and I was just looking down and saw all the people down here, looking around, and I was just intrigued to come down here and see if there was anything that I would like too,” said student Lexi Sandy.

Throughout the year, donations are collected from members of the campus community and stored until Recycle and Donate Day.

Following the event, several local outreach ministries were able to look through unclaimed items.

“We have Access comes in, and that’s a homeless ministry in town,” said Molnar. Access is able to look through the thrift items first.

Other groups able to look through unclaimed thrift items include the Ashland County Cancer Association and the Ashland University Career Center. Any items left at the end are donated to Living Waters Outreach Ministry in Savannah, Ohio. For more information about upcoming events on campus, visit Engage Ashland.