To most people, the value of an empty soda or beer can is a nickel. But to members of Old Forge American Legion Post #893, a small portion of a discarded can is worth a great deal more.
For the last six years local legion members have been collecting pop-tops of cans for an on-going national fundraising effort to support the work of Shriners Burns Hospital – Boston.
The pop-tops—the only part of a can made of aluminum—are packed and sold by the pound for recycling with all proceeds directed to the Hospital.
Mike Tigue, chairman of the effort, proposed the idea to the Old Forge Post shortly after moving to the area and becoming a member.
“It was a successful Legion project I was involved in while living in Connecticut—and it’s been very well received here as well,” Tigue said.
He works in collaboration with Remsen VFW member and chaplain Carl Roberts, who coordinates the collections through the Marine Corps League of Boonville.
Roberts and a contingent from the Remsen post were invited to join Post #893 members at their Thursday, February 24 dinner meeting where the special guests were Paul and Katie Case of Old Forge.
Seven-year-old Katie was burned in an accident at her home in September 2010 and received two months of treatment at Shriners Burns Hospital – Boston.
“Look at the smile on that little girl! She certainly puts a face on this project and all the hard work of Shriners Hospital,” Chaplain Roberts said.
Before dinner, Roberts, on behalf of the Marine Corps League of Boonville, presented Mike Tigue with a plaque in recognition of the Old Forge Legion’s generous donations and involvement in the collection program.
Tigue returned the thought by loading Roberts up with 37 pounds of pop-tops—which amounts to over 48,000 pieces—that will ultimately benefit the medical treatment of other children.
“Removing pop-tops from cans has become a real habit for me—no matter where I go I collect them,” Tigue said.
Tigue invites the community, local organizations and the school to catch the habit too. Donations can be dropped any time at the Legion Hall on Route 28, across the road from the Town of Webb Information office.
