The Big Bin and Swap event, one of the valuable benefits of a BCL membership, this year in a wet version! Despite the constant rain, a steady stream of people dropped off their beyond rescue items (enough to fill nearly 5 big bins), donated reusable items, or took something new to them. Several community members lent us tents and tarps that mostly kept the donations dry. Many cold hands sorted through the piles of stuff and loaded the bins while dripping of, if not sweat, rain water. Find came by to pick up furniture, kitchen ware, art, electronics, toys and more.

Despite all the puddles, it was a fun day! Thanks to ALL the BCL board members (with extra shout out to Barry, Jane, Irene, Felix, Robert and Jeanette for wet feet on ground) and to all the other hardy community volunteers (Keith & Debbie Topinka, Christine Taylor, Lindsay Robinson, Ana Belon, Heather Grimble, Ruth Craig, Dianne Hrabi, Roger Moore, Nathan Lau and Kevin Boman) plus our always sunny friends from Saint Paul’s; Fransisca, Gloria and others!

The City of Edmonton awarded the BCL a clean up grant that covered about 50% of the expenses. The rest was paid for by the BCL – thanks everyone who got a membership if they didn’t already have one.

Due to the rain, we still have lots of unused litter pick up kits from the City – let’s come together at a later (drier) date to clean up our parks and alleys?!