Students from Orland Park's High Point School are busy collecting pop tabs from soda, soup and other cans as a way to help sick children at Ronald McDonald House in Oak Lawn.
The kids started collecting in January and will continue through March 20. Every few weeks, classes weigh their tabs to see how much they have as part of this school tradition, which dates back about seven years.
The Ronald McDonald House, which serves youngsters with cancer and other diseases from Advocate Hope Children's Hospital, takes the tabs to a recycling facility, where they are melted down for the aluminum. Ronald McDonald House then uses the money for upkeep of the facility.
The collection effort got a boost in late January with a special day of entertainment from Ronald McDonald himself. Ronald did a half-hour show on fitness.
Competition can get steep because the classroom that collects the most at the end of a dozen weeks gets a free lunch. So even though the collecting just started, many kids have been squirreling away the aluminum tops for months.
"Kids get really smart oftentimes, and the ones who have lots and lots will not bring them in until the last weigh-in, so they can hopefully stake out the other classes," said Donna McDonough, student council coordinator, along with Eve Bukowski.
The lunch is typically pizza, a beverage and dessert served by Principal Cheryl Foertsch and Assistant Principal Colleen Joyce.
"They feel like big shots because they are served by hand by the principal and assistant principal," said McDonough.
" 'Mrs. Foertsch, I'd like another piece, please,' " said McDonough, mimicking the students.
McDonough said last year 300 pounds in tabs were collected. She said many students know children who have been at Hope, which is one reason the school chose the Oak Lawn facility. Student council members from each classroom help coordinate the project.
The service project is just one of many at the school. Others include collecting soup cans for Orland Township, donating food and grooming items to veterans at Manteno Veterans' Home and raising money for Canine Companions for Independence.
"We have good support among the students, staff and administration," said McDonough.
