The Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God are sponsoring their 2nd annual Arbor Day Paper Drive on Friday, April 25th. Newspapers, magazines, catalogs and other paper to be recycled can be dropped off in the green and yellow collection bins located in the parking lot adjacent to the former St. Francis Academy Building located at 1401 Hamilton Road in the Whitehall section of Pittsburgh’s South Hills (15234). Due to restrictions, cardboard, telephone books, plastic and non-paper items will not be accepted.

The paper drive is an extension of the Sisters’ ongoing efforts to preserve the environment that include participation in the Abitibi Paper Retriever Recycling Program. Since beginning the program, the Sisters have received overwhelming support from the surrounding communities.

In 2007, with the help of friends, staff and neighbors, the Sisters collected 109 tons of paper to be recycled by the Abitibi Paper Recycling Program. According to the Abitibi Paper Retriever website, the paper collected saved approximately 1,853 trees, 359 cubic yards of landfill space, and enough electricity to heat 54.5 homes for a year. Additionally, the program raised over $2,000.00 for their ministries, as well as the care of their retired and elderly Sisters.

For more information regarding the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God and their ministries, please call (412) 885-7232 or e-mail info@osfprov.org [1]. You can also visit their web site at www.osfprov.org [2].