Water jugs, peanut butter jars and coffee cans -  chucked full of pop tabs - are currently stacked in the front foyer at Alexandra Community School in Owen Sound. For the past year, the students at Alexandra have been collecting pop tabs in support of March of Dimes Canada. 

This small initative first began in June 2020 by students Sydney and Lennox Pettit, who wanted to help make a big difference in the lives of others. The tabs will be used to help raise funds to buy, repair and maintain mobility or assistive equipment - including wheelchairs.

"I thought collecting the pop tabs would help people," says Lennox, who is currently in grade 1. "It has been fun, because it's like a scavenger hunt to find them."

What started as a school community project, quickly became community-wide, as the Owen Sound Hub echoed the call for pop tabs, and many residents collected the tabs alongside the students. 

"I'm thankful that so many people have brought in or dropped off pop tabs," says Sydney, a grade 7 student. "It is surprising to see the amount that has been collected. Lennox and I even went through recycling bins full of cans, just to get the tabs."

“Thank you to all families who have continued to save pop tabs for our school and to support this very worthwhile project," says Principal Dan Russell. "A special thank you to Sydney and Lennox Pettit for organizing and promoting our pop tab campaign. Way to work, Eagles!”

The school is still collecting - you are welcome to add your own pop tabs to their collection.