BONNERS FERRY — Helping Hands of Naples held its biannual ‘Take it or Leave it’ event Saturday, June 27, at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, to reduce waste in the landfill by allowing people to repurpose belongings.

According to Helping Hands of Naples president Linda Cromwell, the event allows individuals to take what they want, later allowing thrift stores to sift through what’s left, and finally allowing the city to pick up whatever is remaining.

The event supports the organization’s values that include being environmentally conscious of our waste and helping those in need.

For the past 30 years, Helping Hands of Naples have been helping others in Naples and Boundary County through donations and fundraisers.

The organization has faced many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the organization’s leadership to cancel fundraiser dinners and events that would ultimately benefit the Boundary County’s most vulnerable.

Although the current pandemic has hindered the organization’s progress, Helping Hands plans to continue their fundraising, provide scholarships, resources, and funds to cancer treatment patients.

The event brought many Boundary County residents together to find treasures among the variety of goods donated, and successfully reduced treasures headed for the landfill.

When asked about the next “Take It or Leave It” event, Cromwell and other members of Helping Hands said, “hopefully, we have another event in August.”