Two members of West Virginia University’s Office of Sustainability — Traci Knabenshue, sustainability director, and Stephanie Toothman, conservation specialist — recently were honored with a Community Impact Award from the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties.
Knabenshue and Toothman were recognized for their efforts in organizing and hosting the Blue and Gold Mine Sale, which is a long-time partnership among WVU, the City of Morgantown and the local United Way.
The annual Blue and Gold Mine Sale provides students and community members the opportunity to donate unwanted items in a yard-sale like event, which is held each May. All proceeds from the sale benefit the local United Way.
In addition to raising money for a good cause that helps the local community, the event promotes sustainability by keeping unwanted items out of landfills.
“The University’s operations and students obviously make an impact on the greater Morgantown community. Our partnership for this sale continues because it’s a win for everyone — WVU promotes a culture of reuse rather than waste, we keep off-campus student housing areas cleaner during the short move-out window at the end of the academic year, and the United Way receives funds to continue the critical work they do in our community,” Knabenshue said.
Since its inception in 2005, the Blue and Gold Mine Sale has raised more than $200,000 in total for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties and has kept more than 400 tons of material out of local landfills.
This year’s event raised nearly $25,000 to benefit the local United Way — the most successful sale to date.
“Receiving the Community Impact Award is an honor, and I’m grateful to be a part of a team that supports sustainability and strengthens the health and well-being of individuals in our community,” Toothman said. “In its simplest form, the Blue and Gold Mine Sale is a way to keep unwanted items out of landfill and raise money that stays in our community, but the impact that both of these actions make is so much more.”
The United Way’s Community Impact Award is evaluated on partnerships that advance the mission of the agency. This year’s award ceremony was held on Monday, July 11 at Touchdown Terrace at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Visit the Office of Sustainability website for more information and details on how to get involved in sustainability efforts at WVU. To learn more about WVU Sustainability, follow @letsconservewvu on Instagram and Twitter and @wvusustainability on Facebook.