Electronics, therapy focus of ATU-Ozark events

Through a partnership with eSCO, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus will sponsor an electronic recycling event Tuesday, Sept. 25.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside the Student Services Conference Center, located at 1700 Helberg Lane in Ozark.

Most electronic devices will be accepted – working or not – for free. Simply drop off unwanted electronics, and eSCO will take care of the rest.

“Most antiquated electronics contain hazardous materials and are not accepted at landfills or waste-transfer stations. With the help of eSCO, we’ll provide a no-cost opportunity for residents of the River Valley area to make an environmentally sound decision,” said Community Outreach Director Laura Rudolph.

Last year, Arkansas Tech-Ozark and eSCO were able to collect and recycle an estimated 15,000 pounds of electronic waste during an America Recycles Day effort.

Located in Rogers, eSCO collects, processes and recycles unwanted electronics with a “no landfill policy,” disassembling all e-waste to the most finite of commodities to eliminate the production of wastes, according to its website.

The ATU-Ozark Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is sponsoring a 5K run/walk Saturday, Sept. 29, to raise funds for the Gregory Kistler Treatment Center and Equestrian Zone.

PTA students perform clinicals, which is like an internship, at both the Kistler Center in Fort Smith and Equestrian Zone in Russellville.

The event is being held at West Side Park in Ozark, located at North 29th and Waldron streets, with a 7 a.m. start for runners and a 7:30 start for walkers. There is a $30 entry fee and $15 for children 11 and younger.

Those unable to participate still are encouraged to donate.

The Kistler Center, which specializes in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy rehabilitative services for children, was founded in 1978 and named for Gregory Kistler, who was injured in an automobile accident at the age of 6, suffering a brain injury that resulted in paralysis of the left side of his body.

The Equestrian Zone serves both children and adults with a wide diversity of physical, cognitive, mental and emotional disabilities through hippotherapy – a physical, occupational and speech therapy technique that utilizes horse movement – and therapeutic riding.

To register, contact Lindsey Wilson of Alma at (479) 769-4200.