Two years ago, Bucyrus Middle School Language Arts teacher Erika Orians asked her students to write a persuasive essay about a charity of their choice. Several students chose the Ronald McDonald House and thought the Middle School should get involved. As the Middle School Student Council Advisor, she presented the idea to its members and they agreed to undertake the project.
Now in its second year, the Bucyrus Middle School Student Council has made the idea a reality. Students are collecting pop tabs through April 25 to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Last year, students collected 81 pounds of pop tabs and raised $52.
“It may not sound like much, but it takes 1,000 tabs to equal one pound,” Orians said. “With that in mind, we collected over 81,000 pop tabs to help the Ronald McDonald House last year and our goal is to meet or exceed that number.”
The students chose to collect the pop tabs because it is more efficient than collecting cans. The tabs are pure aluminum, easy to store and cleaner than cans. The pop tab drive is underway now, and concludes Friday, April 25.
“We are always looking for simple ways for students to get involved and help the community,” Orians said. “I have been, and will continue, weighing the amount for each grade level and award Spirit Points for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.”
There are several ways community members can help the Middle School Student Council. First, send pop tabs with a Bucyrus Secondary Student. Second, take pop tabs to a scrap metal business, ask for a check, and then mail it to RMH of Central Ohio, 711 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43205 USA. The final way, and possibly the easiest, to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities is to drop spare change in the RMHC Donation Boxes at participating McDonald’s restaurants.
“We are very proud of our students for working to help others they will probably never meet,” Secondary School Associate Principal John Massara said. “I can personally attest from my own family’s experience, to the benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities provide for families, and encourage everyone to help our students support this very worthy cause.”
For more information about this fundraiser, contact Orians at 419-562-7721 or email eorians@bucyrusschools.org.