Rep. Thomas Walsh's Can Tab Drive Donates 35K To Ronald McDonald House

PEABODY, MA — State Rep. Thomas Walsh (D-Peabody) on Tuesday delivered more than 35,000 can tabs as well as needed household items to the Ronald McDonald House Charities New England location in Charlestown as part of this year's fundraising campaign to support housing for those with family members receiving medical care at Boston-area hospitals.

Interim CEO Tina Ledo and her leadership team welcomed Walsh and others who contributed to this year's charity drive.

"I'd like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who participated in this summer donation drive," Walsh said. "I am blown away by the generosity shown by so many and the stories behind their involvement. I am proud to partner with RMHC-NE knowing the positive impact they have on families who rely on the charity's assistance while their child undergoes vital medical treatment at hospitals in Boston and Rhode Island."

The aluminum pop-tabs collected by Ronald McDonald House Charities are recycled with the proceeds of the scrap value remitted to the charity and the earnings used toward programming.

"We are grateful to Representative Walsh and the Peabody community for collecting pop tabs and much-needed Wish List items," Ledo said. "Pop tabs may be small, but they add up and make a big difference for the families who call RMHCNE 'home' while their child receives medical care.

"The money raised from recyclable aluminum tabs is essential to our family-centered care programs and allows us to keep families close to their children being treated in our local hospitals."

For those who were not able to donate can tabs, Ronald McDonald Charities has an ongoing Wish List that allows it to provide the comforts of home to families. Supporters can purchase items and ship them directly to us through its Amazon Wish List.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)