Construction Junction - Building Material Reuse

February 2- February 8, 2009

Musical instrument re-use pilot

Pittsburgh has a rich and storied musical heritage, and an ongoing vibrant musical culture.  With our world-class Pittsburgh Symphony, our home-grown talent (think The Clarks and Rusted Root), and numerous local opportunities to learn, enjoy or play music, Pittsburghers recognize the inherent value that music brings to our community.

On Saturday March 7^th Construction Junction will host a unique one day event to pass along our communal appreciation of music to the next generation of young musicians.  On that day the Play it Forward musical instrument donation and re-use project will hold its initial collection in our facility.

Play it Forward is a pilot project to determine the best means of matching up gently-used instruments with budding young musicians who may not otherwise have the opportunity to own an instrument.  From noon to 4pm, anyone can drop off a used musical instrument.  All portable working-order instruments will be accepted (keyboards are welcome, but not full-size pianos).  Donors are encouraged to provide a case or container for their instrument if possible.  All donations are tax deductible and CJ will provide donation receipts.

All instruments collected will be distributed to Pittsburgh based organizations that teach children to play and appreciate music.  Initially, those organizations will include the Afro-American Music Institute in Homewood and Hope Academy of Music and the Arts in East Liberty.  Both groups provide music programs of excellence for individuals of varied social and economic backgrounds.

Play it Forward grew out of an idea that its founder, 13 year old Coleman Dougherty, hit upon when reflecting on his community service project in preparation for his Bar Mitzvah.  “Wouldn’t it be cool to get people to donate the musical instruments that they’re not using to kids who would like to learn how to play music?”  After exploring this idea with several members of the local musical community, Coleman discovered that there is indeed a need for donated instruments, but that no such program was currently operating to fulfill that need in the Pittsburgh region. 

“This is a great cause and we are eager to help collect musical instruments in addition to doors and windows we normally handle.  If Play It Forward’s initial event is successful, we will be talking with Coleman about how we can provide more regular opportunities for people to donate their instruments.” – Mike Gable, CJ Executive Director 

Join Play it Forward at Construction Junction on Saturday, March 7^th between noon and 4:00 pm as we collect instruments for local young musicians.  The event will include entertainment beginning at 12:30pm.

The CJ Buzz

Late next week we're expecting our third tractor trailer load of goodies from Waste to Charity which will include, as it has in the past, eleven pallets of new (still in box) light fixtures and eleven pallets of misc. industrial supply items.  We're very pleased with our continuing relationship with this nationally based nonprofit that shares our mission of keeping perfectly good and useable materials from going to the landfill. 

A little bit about Waste to Charity (WTC)...  WTC has been accepting donations and providing quality products to those in need around the world for the past five years.  The organization dedicates their time, energy and resources to helping the under served population by soliciting donations from both corporate America and individuals and redistributing them to those in need.  Waste to Charity's goal is to make a difference in the world by partnering with both business and individual members.  Acceptable inventory donations for Waste to Charity include excess, obsolete and end-of-the-season merchandise such as clothing, cars, computers, product overruns and foods nearing expiration dates.  For decades, corporate America has been an advocate of philanthropy, and Waste to Charity makes it easier for managers, CFO's and CEO's to make a difference in the world by simply donating their surplus of stock.

Featured Items

Huge tables

Mahogany built-in cabinets

Recent Arrivals

1950's table with four chairs	1950's table with six chairs	Amazon paint	Bath vanities #2	Bath vanity
Buffet?	Cabinets	Ceiling medallions	Corian vanity top	Door or window?
Dumbbells	Dutch door	Easy chair	Glass	Hanging light
Heater	Hot air hand dryer	Lights	Little cabinet	Mahogany doors
Mahogany radiator covers	Mahogany wall panels	Mantel	Metal cabinet	Pre-formed millwork
Table	Toilet	Urinals

Great & Gone

Cubes	French doors
Oven	Sidelights
Wicker chairs

CJ Q&A

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Cozmo’s Message of the Week

February is a customer reward month and as such we're running "red light specials".  Yup, we'll be running two red light specials a week, each one hour long.  During these special hours, everything in the store will be 15% off.  The red light specials will occur between 8am and 11am, Monday through Friday, throughout February.