Overton County Solid Waste Partnering With Make-A-Wish

The Overton County Solid Waste Department has partnered with America’s Thrifts and The Make-A-Wish Foundation to help kids achieve their dreams.

Yard Foreman Jamie Emerton said the department has set up drop boxes across the county where people can donate clothes and household items. He said those items are picked up weekly and sold at America’s Thrifts, and a portion of the revenue from those items will go to Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee.

“We’ve got really good feedback from it,” Emerton said. “Of course the citizens here in our county, they love helping others. I just think it’s a great cause and it makes me feel so good to be able to help somebody and also help the planet a little bit too.”

Emerton said the partnership also helps Overton County with their Annual Progress Report by keeping those clothes and used household items out of landfills. He said he hopes to continue the partnership as long as possible.

“It’s awesome man,” Emerton said. “We actually had our first pickups and the gentleman making those pickups was very very satisfied with the amount that had been donated already.”

The department began setting the dropboxes at their designated locations at the start of the new year and the buzz from the community eager to help has been amazing, Emerton said. He said the department has worked to educate Overton County residents on what exactly is being done here and who will benefit.

“There’s always going to be people who look at it either which way,” Emerton said. “The biggest thing I’ve heard is, they want to help local people. What people don’t realize is, the Make-A-Wish foundation, it’s all over the world. Our proceeds here in our county does go to the Middle Tennessee Make-A-Wish Foundation.”

Emerton said the department is continuing to update the public on what can be donated and where the dropboxs are located through their new Facebook page. He said as the project progresses, they plan to identify hot spots and distribute donation locations accordingly.