Furniture gets the heave-ho

EVERETT — Trucks and cars were lined up around the block bearing heaps of memories.

Donations at Everett’s first furniture recycling day on Saturday ranged from unique to downright ugly.

There was a child-sized, lime-green desk with bright blue paint patches showing through the scratches. A furlike teal chair that a family cat had gotten the better of. A 1970s lampshade, dressed for that era in yellow and orange tassels.

And then there was Grandma’s organ, which once was intended to become a family heirloom.

Instead, 12-year-old twins Tyler and Kyle Greene helped their dad bring the organ to furniture recycling day — without Grandma even knowing about it. No word on whether she was going to read the paper today or not.

Tyler Greene had been learning to play the now-abandoned family heirloom.

"It’s just not for me. I’d rather be working on my curveball," he said.

Kyle Greene said Grandma will probably say, "Oh well, it needed to go" when she finds a chair in the place of the organ in the family’s living room.

More than 400 vehicles dropped off enough junk from Everett garages, basements, living rooms and yards to fill 23 dumpsters.

Volunteers of America’s furniture and clothing salvage operation collected seven truckloads of reusable furniture, which VOA plans to spruce up and sell starting this week in its thrift stores in Everett, Marysville and Arlington.

Store manager Tami Longstreet said the turnout blew her away.

"I totally didn’t anticipate this much," she said, adding that she was happy that so many people decided to donate their furniture. "The stuff would have ended up on the street, in the garbage or in the basement."

Rather than spending money on storage space, Volunteers of America will hold a huge furniture sale in the next few weeks.

But first, some of the pieces will need some sprucing up.

As a case in point, Longstreet showed how an antique dresser with warped doors could be painted, the doors removed and wicker baskets inserted for a complete new look.

Bud Wessman, Everett’s code compliance director, said the city sponsored the event to help clean up the city.

"We in code compliance have to deal with this stuff in people’s yards. Here, they get a direct benefit from their tax dollars and the chance to help make Everett a cleaner place," Wessman said.

Those who did drop off their family relics got a tax-deductible receipt. The city will probably hold another furniture recycling day in the future.

"I didn’t know there was this much ugly furniture in Everett," Wessman said.

Reporter Pam Brice: 425-339-3439 or pbrice@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The pathway at Matt Hirvela Bicentennial Park is completed Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lynnwood light rail leads to new trees in Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace replaced trees removed during construction of the Lynnwood light rail… Continue reading

Riverfront Everett in Everett, Washington on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council extends deadline for riverfront grocery store

A city agreement requires the land owners to bring a grocer there. Developers say more housing units need to be built to attract one to the site.

A firefighter with Sky Valley Fire sprays water on a hotspot Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, along U.S. 2 as the Bolt Creek fire continues to burn between Index and Skykomish. (Peter Mongillo / Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)
Snohomish County releases draft of wildfire protection plan

Community members can submit feedback and questions online through July.

Snow dusts the treeline near Heather Lake Trailhead in the area of a disputed logging project on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, outside Verlot, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Utah Senator pulls public lands provision from tax bill

The original proposal would have put federal land in Snohomish County up for sale.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.