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.
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 beverage 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.
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 make 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, buy 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.
If you are already helping the House by collecting tabs, we thank you for
your support. If you are not collecting, please consider doing so. It’s a great
way to help thousands of families annually who stay at the "House that love
built" or the Ronald McDonald Family Room while their child receives treatment at Penn
State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
