MILWAUKEE, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Residents throughout eastern Wisconsin have an opportunity to do a little bit of cleaning and help their neighbors at the same time. The collection is a part of Aurora Health Care's Good Neighbor Day that will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 15.

Aurora is taking the lead on national America Recycles Day by providing convenient drop-off sites for household items that can be reused, recycled or disposed of properly. There will be 16 different collection sites at various Aurora hospitals and clinics.

"We're encouraging people to go through their closets, garages and basements and bring the items that can either be recycled or reused by one of the many community organizations we've partnered with on this effort," said Kimberly Welch, Aurora senior vice president, Corporate Affairs. "Good Neighbor Day is an opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors in a manner that is good for our environment and improves the quality of life in our communities."

The day goes beyond recycling or reusing items. Residents are asked to bring new stuffed animals, coloring books, books and other items to help children who are being treated at emergency departments and facing other traumatic situations. "Our emergency departments and our sexual assault treatment centers see people at their most vulnerable. Small things can make a big difference. That's why we're asking neighbors to bring items for children or new items of clothing and undergarments since often times, those items are kept for evidence," said Welch.

Aurora caregivers will team with local scouts, school groups, community volunteers and others to collect a variety of items that will be recycled or redistributed to places like domestic abuse shelters, the Salvation Army, Lions Clubs and environmental groups.

"As the state's leading health care provider, it's important that we look at how to go beyond delivering health services to people. A healthy environment and healthy community are interconnected and Good Neighbor Day reflects Aurora's commitment to be good stewards of our resources," said Nick Turkal, M.D., Aurora president and chief executive officer.

    Recyclable items that residents can bring to the collection include:

    -- Items containing metal (NO major appliances)
    -- Metal hangers
    -- Aluminum cans
    -- Print toner & inkjet cartridges
    -- Electrical cords and holiday lights
    -- Electronic equipment, including microwaves, stereos, phones
    -- PC's, laptops, scanners, palm pilots, printers
    -- Mercury thermometers
    -- Athletic shoes


    The following medical equipment can be donated:

    -- Walkers/ all types
    -- Canes
    -- Crutches
    -- Wheelchairs
    -- Hearing aids


    Items that can be reused include:

    -- Cell Phone Collection
    -- Eyeglasses
    -- Clothing


    New items requested include:

    -- Hats
    -- Mittens
    -- Children's books


    The Good Neighbor Day collection locations include:

      Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha
      Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center
      Aurora Sinai Medical Center
      Aurora Health Center in Milwaukee
      Aurora West Allis Medical Center
      Aurora Wilkinson Medical Clinic in Oconomowoc
      Aurora Health Center in Waukesha
      Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh
      Aurora Sheboygan clinics in Sheboygan and Plymouth
      Aurora Health Center in Fond du Lac
      Aurora BayCare Medical Center
      Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers
      Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington
      Aurora Lakeland Medical Center
      Aurora Medical Center in Hartford

The complete list of items that will be collected and collection locations can be found at http://www.aurora.org/goodneighbor

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a national leader in efforts to improve the quality of care. Aurora provides care at sites in more than 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.

SOURCE Aurora Health Care