Dearborn Gets Ready to Kick It to the Curb

Saturday in Dearborn may look a little bit like a giant garage sale thanks to an event designed to help people get rid of belongings that may not have value to them–but could be a godsend to someone else.

Kick it to the Curb is an event during which residents take items–everything from electronics, appliances, furniture, and even clothing–and put them, literally, on their curb so that others looking for these items can easily pick them up.

The event was organized by Dearborn resident Michael Hawkins.

“The biggest advantage to residents is that its local people helping people in this community,” said Hawkins. “It’s OK to donate these items to groups like Goodwill of the Salvation Army, but it won’t necessarily help people in Dearborn.”

Hawkins has also set up a website so residents can post photos or descriptions of larger or more desirable items they would like to offer to others, and so they can get in touch with other residents. The site also has printable posters and tags for items, if people are concerned that an item could be mixed up with others that aren’t up for grabs.

Hard times and a desire to encourage green practices inspired Hawkins–a lifetime Dearborn resident and a substitute teacher–to organize this event, which he hopes will become a tradition.

“My goal is for the event to happen every year on the last Saturday of July, and also for it to spread to other communities,” he said. “I’m already talking to someone that is interested in introducing this event in Garden City.”

The best thing about this event is that people who are in need will be able to pick up items that are free, said Hawkins. “There are a lot of people who are having a hard time right now, and this might help them get what they need,” he said.

But the other piece is encouraging reuse and repurposing of past-their-prime items, Hawkins said.

“I want people to see that these items still have value,” he said.

Kerrin O’Brien, the executive director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition, lauded the event as a way to help people and a way to save resources.

“This is something we would like to see more of because of the tremendous cost and effort it takes to find a place for larger items in a landfill,” she said. “And, the cost related in finding new resources to build new items would be saved.”

Hawkins said he’s sure the event will catch on.

“It’s important that we try to help people who need it,” he said. “And if we can help save the environment, why wouldn’t we do that?”