Palos 118 Elementary Students Collect 1 Million Pop Tabs for Charity

With their latest drive this spring, the Palos School District 118 students have now collected over 1 million aluminum tabs, the equivalent of 790 pounds, which qualifies them to have their school’s name placed on the “Thanks a Million” tree at Ronald McDonald House at Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn. This year, students collected a total of 109 pounds of tabs giving them an 8-year total of 921 pounds.

Palos West Nurse Terri Segredo has organized the drive each year and said that she was happy to reach the 1 million mark in her final year before she retires this June.

“Saving tabs is such an easy and inexpensive way to help families at the Ronald McDonald House,” said Ms. Segredo, adding “And the students at Palos West always rally to collect and donate pull tabs.”

Ms. Segredo said that the pull tabs commonly found on the tops of pop and soup cans are worth quite a bit of money to the Ronald McDonald House which recycles them for their aluminum. She said that many Palos 118 families save the tabs year-round waiting for the school’s annual collection drive.

Palos West classrooms hold a friendly competition each year to see who can collect the most tabs. This year, preschool teacher Lee Harwig’s class was the winner, collecting 32 pounds of tabs.

“The whole school was so excited to work together to reach the goal of collecting one million tabs!,” said Ms. Harwig.

“We were really hoping this year would finally be the year!,” she said.

To celebrate the school’s milestone achievement, Palos West Elementary Principal Jennifer Peloquin dressed up as Ronald McDonald to visit classrooms and thank students for their work on behalf of the charity.

““Little things can make a big difference and I am proud of our students and community who always step up to help others. Thanks a million!” said Principal Jennifer Peloquin.

Photos: Palos West teacher Lee Harwig’s morning and afternoon preschool classes collected 32 pounds of pop tabs, winning the school’s 2023 pop tab collection contest for Ronald McDonald House at Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn. The school collected 109 pounds this year giving them an 8-year total of 921 pounds which qualifies the school to get its name added to the Ronald McDonald House’ “Thanks a Million Tree.”

Photo #2-afternoon class (from left to right): Bottom/front row: Adam Shaban, Naya Awad, Hala Ahmed, Ali Shaban, Kensi Heumann, Danny Errico. Middle row: Noah Qurt, Quinn Burmeier, Edie Ryan, Alaa Farraj. Back row/top: Terri Segredo, Lil Sobczak, Ronald McDonald (Jen Peloquin), Lee Harwig.