The Trash Cart

Written by Michael D. Magnant

Last year I opened a GoFundMe campaign and raised enough money to purchase this 1989 Melex Golf Cart.  It’s a tired POS but it was running.  Ever heard of that brand?  Melex? … Me neither.  When the GFM page reached $650, I was able to purchase this old cart.  It’s why I refer to it as my “Trash Cart”.  When I had issues with it, Alisha from “Gator Golf Cars” in Ft. Myers and Naples came to the rescue and put some money into it for me. I received Cadillac treatment from them.

1) New Headlight

2) 6 gently used batteries (which I killed because I forgot to add water to the batteries once a month.  Sorry, this is my first cart.  Won’t happen twice!)

3) Windshield

4) Side mirrors

5) Hub caps

6) A metal bed on the back.  I secure a regular trash barrel in that metal box on the back end.

7)  They picked it up and dropped it off at no charge.  Around a grand worth of support.  I thought that was pretty darn nice of them.

We use those Gripper tongs and they work really well. 

I was averaging around 40+ hours per week and was able to cover a lot of ground.  Please take a look at another FB page.  See:  Freddy the trash talking dog.  I post things with him and Maddie sometimes.  We proudly received your “Hometown Hero” Award, last year and we were also interviewed by Wink and NBC last year.  I thought it might be a possible follow-up story for you because we are still doing this pretty much every day.  I can’t do it with any volume without the cart.  It’s too hot and Freddy is 10 ½ so, the heat is a bit much for him now too.

In order to be sustainable, this volunteer effort requires a full-time Community-based sponsor.  Someone that is successful and green-conscious OR just someone that can appreciate how much effort actually goes into this each day.  I think a couple of grand a year in public or private sponsorship would cover any maintenance.  For example:  The bill for 6 new batteries, at cost: $650.

So, the batteries cost the same amount as I paid for the old “War Wagon” in the first place.  It is what it is.

The community helped me to get the cart and I’ve done a lot of good work from it.  My hope is that either more of them can support the ongoing maintenance of it too.  OR, if we can just find a person secure enough to keep me and this cart and going out there.   Also, please take a look at where I work.  It might have relevance here.  We are a 35-year-old non-profit.  A Disability Rights Organization.  I work directly for / with the CEO.  Coreen Brinckerhoff.

Last, almost 100% of my staff has a disability.  Myself included.  I’m really proud of that www.cordcapecod.org    Today, I sort of live in two worlds.  The guy in the bright yellow vest and hat in Lehigh that picks-up trash around town or the President of a Disability Rights organization up on Cape Cod, MA.  I need to dress a bit differently for that role.   

 However, this shakes out, thank you for taking the time to read this. 

Editors note: Can the community help one of our Hometown Heros get batteries for the “Trash Cart”.