In an effort to raise funds to help support the Ronald McDonald House of Hershey and to create greater public awareness of our mission, the collection of aluminum beverage tabs began in 1996.

Why? The aluminum tabs are sold to a local recycling company; proceeds help with daily operating expenses at the House. The generous amount of tabs collected has been very beneficial to the House and the families we serve. We are averaging $1,000 monthly just from these tiny tabs!

Why not save the whole can? Because tabs are cleaner and easier to store in the House "Tab Hut". Also, there are several non-profit organizations already collecting cans and we do not want to compete with their efforts.

Are you saving all tabs? No--only aluminum tabs--NOT plastic or steel, as in some juice or nutritional supplement cans. If the tab sticks to a magnet, we cannot use it.  Please check your tabs from soup and other cans-- some are aluminum and can be used; others are steel and cannot.

How can I help? Collect tabs at home, work, church, school or through any organization in which you are involved and deliver them to the Ronald McDonald House.  Tabs may dropped off in the Tab Hut located in our parking lot.  Tabs are also collected at the Mechanicsburg Middle School office--1750 South Market Street--from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Please stop in the House office during your visit for a thank you note or if you would like to have a brief tour of the House.  We would also like to add your name to our mailing list so we can send you our newsletter twice a year.  For those who live too far from Hershey or Mechanicsburg, contact a local recycling company when you have a large amount to see if they would buy your tabs.  Checks may be made payable to RMHC and mailed to 745 West Governor Road in Hershey, PA  17033.  Please enclose a note stating the funds are from the sale of tabs along with your name and address.  You are welcome to mail your tabs to us, but just be aware that shipping costs are greater than the value of the tabs.

What else can I do? Volunteer to gather collections in your area and deliver them to the House or Mechanicsburg.  You can also help with our glossy paper recycling program, collect items on our wish list, or volunteer at the House and Family Room. 

What can I keep my tabs in? Recycle and use clean containers with large openings for collecting and storing your tabs. Containers with small openings are difficult to empty. We have special Ronald McDonald House stickers available that can be attached to a container to encourage the collection of tabs. Please contact the House if you would like some of these stickers.