The program idea was initially a small shredding event in the synagogue parking lot over 6 years ago. The first year we did it, we barely broke even on costs. It was then that we realized such an event required reaching beyond the synagogue community and that we could make a fundraiser out of our community service event by moving to a busy street corner at the local kosher grocery store.

We contract with an on-site shredding company that discounts their rate to us by 50% and that is the only major expense of the event. The grocery store graciously allows us to put flyers advertising the event (see attached) at the registers for about 3 weeks before the day of the event. This flyer draws in roughly 80% of the cars that drive through. We also advertise on local Facebook groups and NextDoor groups in the area surrounding the store. The event grew well the first year we did it at the grocery store.

In our third year, we added the component of collecting e-waste through a vendor that did not charge us and thus it did not add expense to the event. (the vendor makes their $ off the resale of the ewaste/ recycling). We quickly found that it was a great addition and brought in additional people to the event.

This year, our event was held on Sunday, April 11, with a new ewaste collection service that we partnered with through a synagogue connection as well as the same shredding service that we have partnered with for the past 6 years.

Through volunteers and the help of our partners with the shredding and ewaste, we collected donations totaling over $3000 in the 4 hour period of the event.

After expenses, our club netted approximately $2500 which is a significant amount towards our club's operating budget for general yearly expenses.

We utilized SIGNUPGENIUS.com for our volunteers to sign up for the event. We used free social media as well to get the word out.