The Ross Medical Education Center campus in Brighton, MI participated in a fundraiser throughout the entire month of July to help support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of The Huron Valley, more specifically the Ann Arbor House. This event was organized by the Office Assistant and Career Services teams. Students, staff, and faculty contributed by collecting pull tabs from pop cans.
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) collects all the tabs donated and takes them to a local recycling company. They receive money for each pound of tabs collected. It takes about 1,200 pull tabs to equal a pound. According to the RMHC website, “While it does vary by Chapter, RMHC Upper Midwest raises approximately $30,000 a year through their pop tab program.” The Ross campus in Brighton ended with a count of 4,892 pull tabs or the equivalent of about four pounds to be donated. “It really is a great organization that helps many families during a difficult time,” said admissions staff member Jill Bell. A fan of the event, current Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration student Maribeth Sawn reflected, “It was really easy to participate in this event knowing I was helping in some small way.” Everyone on the Brighton campus enjoyed watching as the designated jar filled up with tabs. Some people donated a handful at a time while others scavenged their current pop can supply. Many also recruited family and friends to help contribute to the cause.
The Ronald McDonald House assists families of children experiencing a serious illness or injury requiring hospitalization by creating a “home away from home” during their time of need. The Ann Arbor House, established in 1985, has welcomed over 15,000 families who usually come to the area for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. More information about the Ronald McDonald House Charities can be found at their website or by calling (734) 994-4442.