(INDIANAPOLIS) – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana (RMHCCIN) welcomes Hoosiers to bring their pop tab and coin collections downtown on Friday, July 26 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the 15th Annual Pop Tab and Coin Drop on Monument Circle.
With the help of pop tab collectors of all ages, more than 7.5 million pop tabs were collected during last year’s event. RMHCCIN has recycled over one billion tabs since the program’s inception in 1995, and currently holds a Guinness World Record for “most aluminum tabs recycled in 24 hours” from their 2016 event.
This year, RMHCCIN will also celebrate a milestone with Hoosier native and ardent pop tab collector, Larry “The Can Man” VanNess, who has supported the pop tab event since 2003 and will be recognized for his 20 millionth pop tab collected. The spritely 71-year-old collects tabs throughout his home town of Anderson and receives tab donations from fans and supporters throughout the state.
RMHCCIN collects and recycles pop tabs to raise money for the more than 5,000 families of hospitalized children that come through their doors annually. The pop tab program generates upwards of $20,000 annually and has raised more than $800,000 since launching in 1995.
Donors are invited to bring their pop tab collections and spare change to Monument Circle and drop them into one of the many collection containers, or are welcome to simply use RMCCIN’s “drive-thru lanes” where volunteers will be available to unload tabs. For those that haven’t had time to collect pop tabs, but still want to contribute, they are also holding a coin drive, and donations are accepted throughout the day. The family-friendly event is fun for all ages, and will include live music, outdoor games, photo opportunities and more.
When and Where: Friday, July 26 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Southwest Quadrant of Monument Circle in Downtown Indianapolis. At 12:30 pm there will be a brief intermission during which Larry VanNess will be recognized and RMHCCIN CEO Karin Ogden will speak.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana provides a supportive “home-away-from-home” for families of children receiving medical care at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health and other area hospitals, and champion programs that improve the health, education and well-being of children through community grants and scholarships. Each night, as many as 58 families call the House “home.” Thanks to community, corporate and individual support, the house is open 365 days a year keeping families together when it counts the most. For more information, please visit our website at www.rmhccin.org.
