Surplus items to benefit police scholarship
Pat DuRussel II quickly asked to borrow the money from his friend after he struck up a deal of buying two bikes for $1.
The Manchester senior said he and his friends bought seven bikes for $4 during the CMU surplus and salvage sale Friday at the CMU Surplus Building on the corner of Bellows and Douglas streets.
“I don’t know how we are going to get all these bikes home,” DuRussel said. “We are going to have to hire someone to ride them for us.”
DuRussel’s friend Jason Wilger said he wasn’t leaving his bike, though it lacked a seat.
“Nothing a few repairs can’t handle,” the Livonia senior said. “We have enough bikes, one seat will work.”
Equipment and furniture can also be purchased during the monthly surplus sale, said Mike Viers, manager of University Stores.
“In addition to that, the CMU Police Department brought their unclaimed lost and found property to the sale,” Viers said. “It keeps things out of the landfills and everyone enjoys treasure hunting.”
Viers said the money collected from the “lost and found” sale goes into the CMU Police Scholarship Fund, while remaining profits are put in a general fund.
“On average, $2,000 can be generated during a monthly sale,” he said.
Bikes started at $40 and within an hour were selling for $1 per bike or five bikes for $3, Viers said.
“We’re not trying to make big money,” he said. “We are out to get the bikes to people who can use them and get money into the scholarship fund.”
Jeff Peavey, Coordinator of University Stores and Warehouse operations, declined comment because he was busy helping costumers.
“Talking to you right now would be like talking to a McDonald’s employee during lunch time,” he said.
