Local Ronald McDonald House Charities Hosts Annual Challenge to Provide Stays for Families in Need

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona, which operates three houses that serve as homes-away-from-home for families who travel to the Valley for their children’s medical care, is hosting its annual Pop Tab Challenge to help fund stays at the houses for families in need.
The Pop Tab Challenge, which begins on August 20 and runs through May 1, invites students and schools to make a difference by donating their pop tabs from soft drink cans.
“Pop tabs may not seem that valuable, but for our families, they’re priceless,” said Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona CEO Nancy Roach. “Our cost for housing a family for one night is $76, but we never turn a family away that can’t afford to pay the $15 nightly fee we ask. Last year, approximately 13 percent of families were able to contribute. The funds we collect by recycling pop tabs really make a difference.”
In 2017, nearly 1,100 families from Arizona and 26 other states utilized the three Valley Ronald McDonald Houses, with ninety percent of families being from Arizona.
During last year’s challenge, nearly 10,000 pounds of pop tabs were collected by students and other organizations — providing Ronald McDonald House Charities with $3,665.
“This Pop Tab program not only supports the Ronald McDonald House but helps teach children about the importance of recycling and of community involvement,” Roach said.
For more information, or to sign up a school, visit: rmhccnaz.org