Toronto, Ontario — While children look forward to finding presents under evergreens, one B.C. auto repair program is expecting a cheque.
Evergreen Industrial, a forestry and industrial supply store in Smithers, will give the proceeds of its collection and recycling of lead batteries to Smithers Secondary School auto body program.
“It always looks like they don’t have enough money for the students, so it’s just a way to get more money for them and get batteries out of people’s fields,” Tyler Ferster, an owner of Evergreen Industrial told B.C. Local News.
So far, car dealerships and other auto body shops have been enthusiastic and very willing to help out, dropping off old batteries form their businesses while encouraging others to do so as well.
According to Gavin Scorer, a shop teacher at Smithers Secondary School, the town’s contributions are paying off. So far, more than $1,600 has been raised.
Scorer hopes that this funding will allow kids who want to pursue auto repair after high school to have practical experience with modern equipment and give a competitive edge to their auto shop program.
Ferster hopes the funding will empower students to choose to work locally after their experience at Smithers Secondary School.
Anyone interested in donating used batteries should drop them off at Evergreen Industrial, or contact Smithers Secondary School at (250) 847-2231 to get their batteries picked up.
