By Adam Dodson
The Selma Times-Journal

Residents and businesses on Saturday received an opportunity to get rid of sensitive documents and help the environment with the eighth annual Community Shred Day.

Sponsored by the Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and ASE Credit Union, the organizations teamed up with Shred-It to provide free shredding service to the community.
Individuals were able to dispose of old or potentially compromising documents that may lead to identity theft, such as bank statements or classified information. Furthermore, the event helps recycle the paper appropriately, adding an environmental benefit to their cause.

Businesses can use the shredding service to dispose of their documents as well, which can become overwhelming without a proper way to get rid of the material.

The involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and ASE Credit Union stems from their desire to give back to the community. According to Chamber director Sheyl Smedley and Branch Manager of ASE Pam Mcilwein, Community Shred Day fit their idea of a unique way to provide an effective public service.

“We wanted to give back to the residents in our community,” Mcilwein said. “I believe they responded well. We had a good turnout.”

The shredding began at 10 a.m. and lasted until noon in the parking lot outside of the Chamber of Commerce. According to Smedley, they were going nonstop with a steady flow of people throughout the two hours.

On site for the handling of shredding operations were Lavert Ware and Corey Davison, employees of Stericycle. Acquiring Shred-It Solutions in 2015, this company oversees the proper management of their recycling and security initiative.

Ware and Davison said they do this many weekends, getting to travel frequently to impact areas in need of some extra assistance.

“We are all over the state. We are all over the county, actually,” Davison said. “We help with security and identity theft.”
With a high demand of paper given to the organizations, there was a limit set for each household of four standard boxes or four large trash bags.

For more information about the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, located on 912 Selma Ave, reach out to Sheryl Smedley at (334) 875-7241.

For more information about the ASE Credit Union and their efforts with Community Shred Day, visit their website at https://yourasecu.com/welcomecraig.