Have you accumulated a whole bunch of junk, but just never seem to find the time to haul it away? Here in Wallingford, we’re lucky to have the transfer station right nearby, but if you’re like me, the size of your car (if you even have one) and the size of your load of junk are badly mismatched.
Balo USA, a non-profit working to support impoverished women, children and families worldwide and headquartered right here in our neighborhood, will help you clear out your accumulated detritus while you help them raise money for their cause. Balo will haul away your stuff on Saturday, June 8 between 8am and 5pm. (All items must be at the curb by 8am.) Balo is not only accepting trash, but also donated items and recyclables. You must sign up in advance here for your pick up!
Price varies by size of load:
- $40 – Mini Load – Fits in a wheelbarrow
- $80 – Medium Load – Fits in the trunk of a sedan
- $160 – Large Load – Fits in a pickup truck
More information is available here. (Scroll down a bit).
Balo USA — working in conjunction with sister organizations Balo Italia, Balo Ireland and Balo Malaysia — supports projects in Kolkata, India. Chief among these is a school where Balo aims to pay for building rent, teacher salaries and student meals. Also receiving support from Balo is a home for endangered girls.
The founding story behind Balo USA is an interesting one. Writes Balo board member Jennifer:
The non-profit was started a few years ago by Wallingford resident, Anne Leache. Back in 2005, Anne was volunteering with Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity [in Kolkata, formerly Calcutta]. She met a lovely Italian woman named Betta. While working together, Anne and Betta quickly became friends. Betta wanted to rescue each child, so she started and funded a small NGO, Balo Onlus, to help the impoverished children living in the train station.
In 2015, Anne and a group of Wallingford friends ignited Balo USA to promote and bolster the incredible progress that is changing the lives of those often overlooked and cast aside.
If you’re in that rare position of having nothing whatsoever to get rid of, but you still wish to help Balo, you can always make a donation. Balo is somewhat rare among NGOs in that their board pays all operating costs of the organization — meaning that 100% of your support goes to their projects. More information is on their website. Balo is a 501c(3) organization, so donations are fully tax deductible.