Minooka Boy is Driven to Collect Pop Tops

Alex Caranyoff, 13, freshman at Minooka Community High School

Alex Caranyoff is like any normal kid.

He enjoys being with his friends. They will go swimming, jump on the trampoline or go ice skating.

He is involved in activities at school. He is a member of the student council, environmental club and wants to play on the volleyball team.

He is an honor student. Five of his classes are advanced placement. He loves to read.

“It’s challenging,” said Caranyoff. “It makes me push harder to accomplish my goals.”

Not only his Caranyoff facing challenges in school, he has taken on a personal one as well. It is his mission to collect more than six tons of tabs as part of the Pop Tab Pandemonium to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

That’s a lot of tabs. One ton equals 2,534,000 tabs. He now has 150 one-gallon bags filled. Caranyoff is confident he will reach his goal. 

Caranyoff is asking the community to collect tabs and drop them off at in Minooka from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.  Photo opportunities with Ronald McDonald, raffles, kids game and a free throw challenge will be included in the days events.

Tabs are also being collected prior to the event at in Minooka, in Channahon, and restaurants in both Channahon and Minooka.

According to Alex’s mother Kelly Caranyoff, will donate the numerous boxes of tabs collected during the 2010-11 school year. Kelly said she spoke with Superintendent Karin Evans recently, who was more than happy to donate them. and 's mayors also have given Caranyoff their support for the event.

“It doesn’t cost anymore money to take off the tab,” said Kelly Caranyoff. “People are drinking something with a tab all the time. It’s an event that we don’t have to ask for money; especially in this economy.”

Because of his dedication to community service and the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Caranyoff has been the recipient of a Prudential Spirit of Community Award two years in a row and was awarded the Rotarian Award last year from the Channahon-Minooka Rotary Club.

According to their website, the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. RMHC has three core programs— Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile—through its global network of chapters in 52 countries and regions.

As for the future, Caranyoff wants to continue his involvement in charity work. He plans to follow his grandfather’s footsteps and attend Notre Dame University and become an accountant. 

If that falls through, he wants to be a marine biologist.

Caranyoff has been to Australia once before. He was there as part of his sister’s Make -A-Wish trip. While they were there he saw many things honoring the late Steve Irwin, “The Crocodile Hunter.” And of course he had the opportunity to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef with several big fish.

“That would be awesome to go to school in Australia,” Caranyoff said.

For more information on the Poptop Dump Day, contact Alex by email or visit the event's Facebook page.

Editor's Note: Check back with Channahon-Minooka Patch for updates on the inspiration behind Alex Caranyoff's efforts and how to help.