St. John's United Church of Christ in Palmerton is currently experiencing an overload in their donation bin - some of which is not desired.

The church, which has hosted a donation bin run by Via - a Lehigh Valley nonprofit human service agency that provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities - has always received praise for the quantity and quality of the contributions in the past.Lately, however, some people seem to be using the bin for trash and unsold refuse from yard sales. Church member and consistory president John Aulenbach noticed the bin was full on Tuesday, but when he checked it with his wife, Linda, they discovered far more than clothing."We found a microwave oven, broken construction drills and staplers, dishes, a box containing volumes of home construction books, and a propane cylinder," Linda Aulenbach said. "A no longer functioning push lawn mower, a discarded storm door and child car seats were also found."Aulenbach stresses that the bin is strictly for clothing. These donations are weighed by the bin agency, and the church receives a monetary reimbursement for its efforts."We ask that the public only donate clothing, shoes and fabric items such as drapes, sheets and towels. We provide a service to the community by maintaining a place to deposit clean and still usable clothes to those less fortunate," she said.