BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE OCEAN STATE TO OPEN BRISTOL DONATION CENTER The new facility will serve all East Bay communities
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) has announced it will open a new Donation Center in Bristol to serve the East Bay communities of Bristol, Warren, Barrington and other neighboring towns.
The Center, located at 500 Metacom Avenue, is expected to open on March 1 and is intended to create an additional, sustained source of revenue for the social service activities of BBBSOS. It is the fourth such center in Rhode Island; the first is located next to the agency’s headquarters at 1540 Pontiac Avenue in Cranston, the second at 1340 West Main Road in Middletown, and a third at 1270 High Street in Cumberland . A grand opening ceremony is scheduled in Bristol on March 8th.
“Everyone in our agency is excited to be opening in Bristol,” said Deb Saunders, BBBSOS Executive Director. “The communities in and around Bristol historically have been enthusiastic supporters of our mission, and we are very happy to provide the area with a center that will not only be a more convenient place to drop off donations of gently used clothing and other household items, but will also bring us closer to many of the boys, girls and mentors we work with every day.”
The grand opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, March 8th at 10 a.m. and will include a ribbon cutting with the East Bay Chamber of Commerce, refreshments, and the chance to win some great prizes. The public is encouraged to attend, bring a bag or box of items to donate, and learn more about mentoring a boy or girl in the community.
The staffed Center will accept donations of gently used clothing, small household items, books, toys, home décor items and provide donors with tax receipts. Items collected at the Center will be sold through its retail partner, Savers, and the proceeds will be used to fund the agency’s mentoring programs. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, furniture, appliances and other large items cannot be accepted. A complete list of donatable items is located on the agency’s website.
The BBBSOS Bristol Donation Center will be open seven days, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is Rhode Island’s leading mentoring organization, and has been serving boys and girls in the area for 45 years. The agency was recently honored with a prestigious “Gold Standard Award” identifying it as one of the top agencies in the nation. Persons interested in mentoring a child or donating to support the program, can contact BBBSOS at (401) 921-2434, or can log on to the organization’s website at www.BBBSOS.org.