The little tab used to open a soda can might seem minuscule in its purpose, but those tabs from drink cans could make a big difference to some charity organizations.
Ten months ago, the Knights of Columbus Council 7087 and the Picayune Civic Women’s Club collected and recycled seven one-gallon jugs of pop tabs in an effort to raise funds for the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in New Orleans.
In their second annual effort to collect the tabs, the KOC and local church members spread the word across Pearl River County that the collection process was beginning again. To their surprise, the community responded.
In six months, the KOC collected over 80 pounds of tabs, filling 30 one-gallon containers, which will benefit not just St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, but also the Ronald McDonald House Charities, KOC member Mike Radzyniak said.
“When we did this last time, it was evident that people wanted to help, they just didn’t know how or when they could,” Radzyniak said. “We are blessed to have such a great community. Never did we think we would end up filling 30 containers.”
According to the Ronald McDonald House Charities website, it takes approximately 1,128 tabs to equal one pound. That means the KOC collected 90,240 tabs from local churches and residents in half a year.
The donations go directly into the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ operating budget and allows the organization to continue supporting St. Jude’s patients in the Ronald McDonald House program.
Many families travel far from home to seek treatment for their children at the facility. This program allows families to stay close to their hospitalized child at little to no cost while the child undergoes extensive and intensive care.
“It’s amazing what they are doing to help families and their children as they go through one of life’s most difficult challenges. We always want to help out and seeing the community coming together like this to help this cause is truly remarkable,” Radzyniak said.
The RMHC website states that it costs $140 per night to house one family. The money provides services to the families staying at the RMHC 13-bedroom home, including home-cooked meals, private bedrooms and playrooms for children.
For more information on the Ronald McDonald House Charities and their pop tab program, visit www.rmhc-memphis.org or call 901-312-7481.