Tufts Activists, Students Raise Thousands for Charity With Environmentally Conscious "Yard Sale"
Non-profit Recycles Students "Garbage" In Other's Treasures

Medford/Somerville, Mass. -- Piles of clothes, books, housewares and appliances -- once destined for dumpsters -- provided the foundation for a $3,000 "Dump and Run" fundraiser this weekend at Tufts University.

   Members of a Tufts student environmental organization worked with two local nonprofits to promote recycling while raising thousands of dollars for needy communities in Africa. The event has already drawn attention from the New York Times, Boston Globe and People Magazine.

   According to Dump and Run founder Lisa Heller, the weekend event "Is about raising consciousness among students and spreading the word about the importance of conserving resources." Sarah Creighton, the project manager for Tufts University's Climate Initiative agrees.

   "Anything that helps reduce the load on our waste stream is helpful," Creighton told the Boston Globe. "We live in such a disposable society. People need to be aware of what they do with their stuff."