Students in the life skills program at Sanford Middle School are making a difference, collecting aluminum can tabs to support the Ronald McDonald House.
The initiative, which began in their classroom, has quickly grown to include the entire school.
The project aims to collect as many aluminum can tabs as possible. These tabs, when recycled, generate funds that help cover the costs of children’s cancer treatments at the Ronald McDonald House.
According to Special Education teacher Sara DiStefano, one gallon of can tabs filled equals about an hour of a child’s cancer treatment.
What started as a class project has expanded throughout the school. Students have taken ownership of the initiative by creating eye-catching posters to place around the school and distributing containers for collecting tabs in the halls.
SMS Principal Pam Crosby has supported the effort by making announcements to spread awareness, while teachers in each grade have joined in and encouraged their students to participate.
The project has become a valuable learning experience for the students involved.
The project has become an invaluable learning experience for the students involved. For one, students understand how small actions can lead to a significant change. DiStefano said they are a small group, but they are trying to make a difference. And the difference is that they can take a small thing and make it into something significant.