up·cy·cle - reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original
TRU Partnership supports environmental efforts by refurbishing and reinventing items that would have been buried in landfills
Our volunteer, Emily, finds joy in building things. When we asked her to transform these abandoned workbenches into complete activity centers, she took the task seriously. Each workbench received a complete set of tools and supplies that looked like they belonged together.
Sahmiyah, who has autism, wanted a baby and a crib. Despite offering her additional toys, she had her heart set on a baby. Every item received a thorough cleaning, and a mattress was crafted from spray-painted corrugated fiberboard. Additionally, a homemade blanket and pillow were sewn. Now, Sahmiyah has a baby of her own to love.
After spotting it on the curb, our director parked her car and pushed this house over half a mile to her home. The walk was filled with humorous comments from strangers and neighbors. The house was then taken apart, power-washed and new stickers and a phone from the manufacturer were added. That’s our type of home renovation.
Sharon volunteered to "play" with Barbies and similar dolls. She dressed them and found the perfect accessories, packaging them with pets (puppies, kittens, horses) and furniture. Over 20 sets were assembled for distribution. Tiffany (shown above) was one of our favorite sets.
Ariel (pictured with her sister) was sad that she was too old for the toddler Disney vanities we gave to other children in her building. We were thrilled to surprise her with this vanity that we repaired, painted, and bedazzled.
Two days after receiving a request for a fish tank, we miraculously found one on the curb. With thorough tank scrubbing and modifications to a small cabinet, we were able to provide this fish tank to a woman and her four grandsons.
We shaved the pills off the fabric, cleaned, and sanitized the glider. This refurbished piece looks new and was given to a mother with a 6-month-old daughter.
We had a wonderful time selecting toy food, kitchen utensils, and tools for these curb finds.
Anthony needed a small computer workstation for his apartment. With some minor repairs and a coat of paint, we were able to provide him with a desk, office chair, and lamp.
After being cleaned and painted, these chairs went to a woman who had a table but did not have any chairs.
With a little paint and a couple of hours, we brought this gnome back to life.
Rescued from the curb just two houses before the trash truck arrived, this dining set, after a good cleaning and polish, found a new home with a young family.
With a disinfectant scrub, it was good to go. This water table provided hours of summer fun.
With a thorough cleaning, sanitizing, and some modifications, this 21-year-old bear made a journey from 2000 to bring joy to a child's 2021 Christmas.
It's hard to find words to express what it feels like when you glance in your rearview mirror and see a Thomas the Tank toddler bed staring back at you. This bed was given to a boy in Camden.
From trash to treasure. This ottoman is almost too nice to put your feet on.
This foam alphabet and number puzzle set was one of our founder's favorite projects. Pieces were missing so she fixed about 12 letters/numbers by cutting shapes out of blank foam she found. In this picture, F & W were fixed.