For the past eight years, math teacher Karen Feiszel has participated in the pop tab collection program for the Ronald McDonald House charity to help the families of critically ill children.

Tabs that can be pulled off of sodas, soups and other aluminum cans are collected and taken to the Ronald McDonald House where they are worth 10 cents a piece. The money raised contributes toward housing for the parents of children who are in the hospital.

“I got involved in this program because my relatives friend had an ill child and this program helped the family get a house close to the hospital who had the correct treatment,” Feiszel said.

Math teacher Julie Williams also collects the tabs. She learned about the Ronald McDonald House program through Feiszel and has collected 50-100 tabs since the beginning of the school year.

“I really wish I could go with Feiszel to see the difference we are making to the parents and children,” Williams said. “Since I don’t have much money to give or donate, this is my way of giving to them.”

A small container or place to put the tabs in is all that is needed to start collecting them. It takes some time to notice progress, but eventually the tabs add up to a larger amount that helps parents in ways they can’t imagine.

“A little goes a long way,” Feiszel said. “When I first started I had a little pot and I thought it was going to take no time at all to fill up but [the tabs are] so flat it took its time.”

Various teachers and students throughout the school have brought tabs to Feiszel and/or Williams to help grow their donations.

“I have teachers, students and my neighbors help me collect these,” Feiszel said. “It’s become a big part of my life and the more help I get, the more money there is for the parents.”