Auto Club of Southern California's 'Great Battery Roundup'
--Motorists Can Drop off Batteries Daily April 17-24 at Auto Club Collection Locations to Aid 2003 Cedar Fire Burn Area in Mission Trails Regional ParkWhat: "The Great Battery Roundup(R)" is a campaign to collect vehicle, motorcycle and boat batteries for recycling. Batteries will be collected 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from April 17-24 at 93 Auto Club-designated collection sites throughout the Southland. For every battery collected, the AAA Battery Service will donate $1.50 for fire recovery efforts in San Diego. The Auto Club selected Mission Trails Regional Park to receive battery donation funds for restoration work. Who: The Auto Club and motorists working together to remove an environmental and safety hazard from our communities. The Auto Club's goal is to collect 5,000 vehicle, motorcycle and boat batteries from Southern California garages, carports, yards, storage units and tool sheds. The effort also coincides with Earth Day. Featuring: News conference with Auto Club's Certified Master Mechanic Rob Wade at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center about campaign and how to safely remove a battery for "round up." Afterward, photo opportunity of volunteers planting trees, native plants and rebuilding a fence. (Materials donated from Great Battery Roundup funds.) Why: While 95 percent of vehicle battery lead is recycled, more than 5 million stray batteries were not returned to industry recycling plants last year. Dead batteries can discharge lead and sulfuric acid into the environment, creating a health hazard. When: 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20. Sturdy shoes required. Where: Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center. 619-668-3276. A list of 93 drop-off locations, including San Diego and surrounding areas, can be found at www.aaa-calif.com.