The students, faculty and staff at the Brighton, Michigan campus of Ross Medical Education Center collected aluminum pop can tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor. Ronald McDonald Houses take the tabs to a local recycling company and receive money for each pound of tabs collected. It takes approximately 1,200 tabs to equal one pound. Through this recycling program, they can raise funds to continue providing a “home away from home” for families.
The tabs on pop cans are an ideal thing to collect because they are small, are easy to remove, and only take up a little bit of storage space. These are some of the reasons that the Ronald McDonald House staff only collects the tabs instead of the whole can. Collecting these pop tabs is an easy yet meaningful way to teach others about philanthropy and the importance of recycling. However, it also is helpful as it is a way to raise money to help children and their families at the same time.
According to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor website, “The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor has two Houses that provide a supportive home away from home for families of children 21 years of age and younger receiving treatment at a local area health facility. Located within walking distance of the University of Michigan Medical Centers, the Main House opened its doors in 1985 and serves over 1,200 families a year.” Ross Campus Director Susan Mall met many families benefiting from the service while her premature twins were patients in the Neonatal Unit. “The House provides a close home for parents who need to be near their children during stressful medical issues,” she shared. The Mott House opened in December 2011 and provides a short-term respite for families of the most medically fragile patients.
Families staying in the houses contribute to daily chores and enjoy meals provided by many service organizations. Ronald McDonald House occupants are also good support systems for each other as those all are experiencing health emergencies with their children. The campus students, faculty and staff plan to continue collecting tabs throughout the year, both at home and on the campus. You can learn more at their website rmhcannarbor.org.