Document-Shredding Day helps taxpayers, students, environment

ARLINGTON Arlington-area residents will have a chance to dispose of confidential documents safely and support scholarships for local vocational students at the same time.
The Arlington Immaculate Conception Church and Knights of Columbus Council 8015 are sponsoring a Document-Shredding Day, April 19, from 1-4 p.m., at the churchs lower parking lot on 1200 E. Fifth St.
Knights of Columbus member Bob Dietz explained that the event will be funded by voluntary donations, with all proceeds raised going toward the Jerry P. Firnstahl Jr. Scholarship Fund.
Weve been looking for new ways to promote this program, to reward less fortunate students, Dietz said. My daughter lives in Des Moines, and she mentioned that her church brings by a shredding truck once a year.
Dietz and his fellow Knights of Columbus considered the timing appropriate for income tax season, when many people might need to get rid of sensitive papers that need to remain private. Frontline Shredding is providing the truck, and while they cant accept any cardboard or hanging file jackets, they will accept unsorted paper with staples still attached.
We didnt want to ask Frontline to provide for the truck for free, Dietz said. Were paying $400 for three hours. We could have charged $10 per person, and hoped that more than 40 people showed up, but instead, we invaded our coffers to pay for the truck, and were asking people to donate as much as they choose.
Jerrys widow, Kathy Firnstahl, is pleased that the scholarship fundraiser makes use of recycling, since her husband was interested in environmentalism, and suggested that this years scholarships go toward vocational students.
Even though he had his masters degree, Jerry was very supportive of vocational and alternative ways of learning, said Kathy Firnstahl who recalled her husbands years as a high school teacher. He was a perpetual student himself, who wanted to help his students find their passions.

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