Valentine's Cookies to E-Waste Recycling — It All Connects
At Quality Connections, we’ve always believed that the best skill-building happens when people are having fun. Valentine’s Day gave our adult day program teams in Page and Flagstaff the perfect opportunity for both festivities and growth.
In Page, Adult Day Program Manager Michaela Garcia and her team packed their Valentine’s Day celebration with baking and decorating festive cookies and cupcakes; crafting food-coloring and Lego roses; giving the building a glow up with bright Valentine’s Day decorations; writing notes to someone special; and creating their own personalized Valentine’s boxes.
The boxes were fabulous, covered in colorful construction paper, glitter, and drawings that often transformed them into very recognizable shapes – a car, a Pokemon character, even the Cookie Monster. We particularly enjoyed the punny (if slightly creepy) humor of the box featuring two zombie hands forming a heart-hand and the words “Dear Valentine – I Chews You.”
The day wrapped up with music, dancing, and plenty of laughter, but just as importantly, gave members a chance to hone their gross and fine motor skills, communication, and social engagement.
“It was a meaningful day that truly highlighted connection, creativity, and the positive spirit of our program,” said Michaela.
Over in Flagstaff, Day Program Manager Mo Burres and the team took a different approach that was equally joyful and meaningful. Their celebration included a karaoke party, where clients had the chance to express themselves through music and cheer each other on.
Clients also created “snail-grams” for one another and held a Valentine’s fundraiser, offering treat bags, handmade cards, and conversation bracelets. The funds raised will go directly toward a future dance, something the whole group is already looking forward to.
These activities reinforce the kind of life skills – planning, communication, financial literacy, and creative expression – that help our adult day program members build greater independence and confidence every day.
It would be easy to see a holiday party as just a party. But at Quality Connections, every celebration is intentional. Holidays create a natural context for practicing real-world skills in a joyful, low-pressure setting. They remind our members – and all of us – that life is meant to be celebrated.
QC’s E-waste Program Expands
The next time you walk past the Flagstaff library, you might notice something new: a beautifully designed recycling bin, wrapped in an image of Flagstaff’s iconic aspen trees in their full golden autumn glory.
It’s hard to miss, which is the point.
Behind that bin is a story about jobs, environmental stewardship, and community partnership.
Since then, QC Office has grown into a much larger operation, offering office products throughout the state. But our Empowering Through E-Waste program remains an important part of who we are.
With support from the City of Flagstaff Neighborhood Sustainability Grant Program, we are expanding our program by offering multiple sites where businesses and residents can recycle their cartridges.
We hope the library drop-off bin is just the beginning. QC Office is actively working to establish drop-off partnerships with businesses and organizations across Flagstaff, alongside community outreach and education efforts to spread the word about responsible e-waste disposal.
When you drop off your toner cartridges and other e-waste at a QC Office collection point, you’re doing more than recycling. You’re supporting the employment and independence of people with disabilities. You’re investing in a healthier environment for everyone in our community. And you’re contributing to an organization with deep roots in Flagstaff that has been doing this work for decades.
Printer cartridges can be dropped off at the drop-box at the library and at the drop-box in front of Quality Connection’s office at 3012 E. Route 66 (corner of Route 66 and Steves Blvd.) Other types of ewaste (other than cartridges) can be dropped off at the QC facility or, if you are a QC Office customer, our delivery crew will pick-up when delivering office supply orders.
As new drop-off locations are added across Flagstaff, we’ll share updates. If your business or organization is interested in hosting a QC Office drop-off point, we’d love to hear from you.
