Kidney Clothes Now In Kaneohe

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Reynolds Recycling president Terry Telfer (left) and Glen Hayashida, president and CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, in front of the foundation’s new Assisted Drop-off Center in Kaneohe. Photo from Bruce Iverson.

The National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii had two reasons to celebrate on Nov. 15. First, it accepted the 2010 Green Leaders Award from Reynolds Recycling for the positive impact its drop-off donation and recycling bins have made on Hawaii’s environment over the past five years.

“Each week, NKFH removes tens of thousands of HI-5 beverage containers from our waste stream, preserving the life of our landfills while raising funds to save lives in the fight against kidney disease,” said Reynolds Recycling president Terry Telfer. “Their dedication to recycling everything from the smallest beverage container to the largest car has created a win-win situation for Hawaii’s natural resources and all the people they serve. It has been an honor for us to partner with them to provide free and convenient curbside recycling options on Oahu.”

And for Windward residents (the second celebration), the process just got easier. Following the awards presentation, the nonprofit foundation announced the opening of an attended donation center at 45-781 Kamehameha Hwy. in the space formerly occupied by Alpha Video.

“We decided to open this site because of its location and ease of access,” said NKFH executive director Mele Young. “Donors can drive up and have our attendant help them offload and get a receipt all without getting out of the car.”

Tax-deductible donations can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Kaneohe site, a small, two-unit building.

Welcome are usable clothes, accessories and shoes; household goods such as bedding, towels, blankets, cookware, dining utensils, toys, games, stuffed animals and books; and small electrical items (radios, toasters, computers, etc.) in working condition.

“There is always a great need for clothing items during the holiday season. All types and sizes are helpful,” added Young, a Kaneohe resident herself.

HI-5 recyclable beverage containers also may be deposited at the drop-off center.

The foundation also has attended donation centers at Windward Mall and 1314 S. King St., as well as a 24-hour bin at Windward YMCA and at nine other Oahu locations. For more information, call 593-1515 or visit kidneyfriends.org.

Among the items NKFH does not accept are large appliances, heavy equipment, furniture, carpets, construction items, paint and other chemicals, mattresses/box springs/waterbeds,cribs,walkers, playpens, swings, car seats, newspapers or magazines, propane/gas stoves or tanks, bicycles, tires and car parts, lotions, perfumes, soap, shampoo, and any food or beverage items.