QUEENS — Forest Hills residents doing their spring cleaning will soon get the opportunity to exchange their unwanted items for something they can use during the upcoming Stop 'n' Swap event, part of the Earth Week celebrations at Central Queens Y.
The event, organized in collaboration with GrowNYC, was very successful last year, drawing hundreds of residents who brought almost 3,500 pounds of their belongings, according to the Y.
“Last year I remember seeing baseball gloves, a child’s bike and roller blades, all in excellent condition; dishes and other small kitchen and dining items; a globe, books, costume jewelry and yarn,” said Peggy Kurtz from the Y. “We also got lots of clothes in great condition: everything from formal dresses to athletic wear, children’s clothing, jackets.”
Kurtz said she was able pick up “a very cool scarf, a perfect pair of shorts (exactly what I had been shopping for), and a great summer dress.”
Many items were snatched right away, she said, while others were left over for donation and recycling with Hour Children, Goodwill, and textile recycling with Wearable Collections.
The event “put lots of needed items into the hands of people who could use them, free of charge,” Kurtz said.
But she said it also raised awareness about consumption and about the idea of reuse.
“We all found the swapping fun — and we’ve continued swapping ever since then,” Kurtz said.
Residents, she said, have been asking her about the upcoming event for months.
Community members can bring things they want to swap on the day of the event (from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). Only portable items will be accepted. They have to be in good shape and clean. Locals who have no items to donate are also welcome to participate.
The event will take place on Sunday, April 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Central Queens Y is located at 67-09 108th Street in Forest Hills.
