SPHS Prepares for Paper Drive

Gobs of paper usually lead to clutter or trips to the recycling bin. South Pasadena High School hopes that it can lead to less money spent.

Enter the Drive-Thru Copy Paper Drive, which is a collaborative effort between the school's Parent Teacher Student Association and the city's Chamber of Commerce. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings this week, the high school's parking lot will be open to receive as much copy paper as people are able to give. The driving thought behind the drive-thru, according to organizers, is to help soften the blow of state and budget cuts. In the case of South Pasadena High School, stacks of paper could provide some of the cushion.

"The high school orders about $20,000 worth of copy paper every year," said Alice Fong, co-chairperson of the event and member of the PTSA. "We're just hoping for some help."

On Thursday and Friday, the drive will be happening from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., so people who wish to donate can drop off paper with their kids, Fong said. Saturday is the larger day, with the drive running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The school office can also welcome donations, while others can arrange for their copy paper to be picked up. Anyone interested can also donate another kind of paper, cash, to help fund raffle prizes for kids.

"We try to keep reminding everyone we see," Fong said. "We're excited. We already had people tell us, 'OK, I bought my paper already.'"