Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston have been collecting pull-tabs (or pop-tops) from beverage cans since 1989. Money from recycling is put towards programs and equipment that directly benefit children, including a trailer for the hospital van used to transport medical equipment and records to outreach clinics throughout New England. The Nashua Emblem Club, associated with the Nashua Lodge of Elks, appreciates Mailbag readers keeping tabs for kids.
Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston have been collecting pull-tabs (or pop-tops) from beverage cans since 1989. Money from recycling is put towards programs and equipment that directly benefit children, including a trailer for the hospital van used to transport medical equipment and records to outreach clinics throughout New England. The Nashua Emblem Club, associated with the Nashua Lodge of Elks, appreciates Mailbag readers keeping tabs for kids.
Tabs can help work miracles for children
"A few years back, Chris' Mailbag wrote about Mass. hospitals collecting soda can tabs," writes Laura C. of Nashua (LTR 2,193). "Are they still doing that, and/or do you have another place where we can give the tabs to? Can you give me the information in order to me to send them ones I have been collecting? Thanks in advance." Absolutely! James Medeiros of Nashua (LTR 1,304), tells me the "Nashua Emblem Club #170, associated with Nashua Lodge of Elks #720, collects aluminum pull-tabs or pop-tops from soda and beer cans that are sent to (Shriners burn-care hospital) in Boston. Many are collected and donated by local school children and churches. Approximately 85-90 pounds of tabs are collected each year from the greater Nashua area and more are always welcome." James, who collects the tabs on behalf of the Nashua Emblem Club, can be reached at 881-7230 or via email at medeirosjk@yahoo.com. Pick-up can be arranged if needed. Hope this information will help Laura and folks looking to help others.
Upcycling, repurposing, reusing greeting cards
"I have Christmas greeting cards I want to donate to local organizations (Nashua area) needing them, instead of putting the cards in the curbside recycle bin," says Gary B. of Nashua (LTR 3,305). "Questions about donating cards must come up every year, but I am unable to find such a published list of local groups accepting cards or descriptions in prior Mailbag columns." Going back to 2010, Arlene M. of Nashua (LTR 2,655) wrote "My senior sister, Patricia, collects cards, cuts them up and recycles them, teaching senior citizens how to make cards and calendars. She also has various groups make cards to send to our troops serving overseas. She is always in need of cards. We do get envelopes from various drug and card stores. She would be very excited to receive cards anyone may have to give. I will pick them up for her, as she does not drive." Arlene tells me Patricia is still working with recycling card creations, so Gary and others with cards can reach her at arlenemiele@comcast.net or call 557-4505. Thank you, Arlene, for the much appreciated information. P.S.: Arlene received more than 1,000 cards for Patricia's project back in 2010!
Would you love to have a love seat?
"I have a love seat from that store of long ago called This End Up," says Yvonne F. of Nashua (LTR 414). "It opens to a double sleeping mattress or onto the floor as a foam mattress. It is a nice red orange, good for a play room, perhaps or a camp for extra sleeping space. You will need to pick it up ... will give dimensions if you need them when you phone or email." This End Up Furniture Co., founded in Raleigh, NC, by two students from North Carolina State University, was an immediate success. Since then, the company has grown into a 250,000 square foot manufacturing plant and offers substantially all furniture items offered by the original company, as well as new lines of furniture. Sounds like an American success story! If you would like to successfully bring this love seat into your home, give Yvonne a call at 888-3047 or email yvonnedragon1@juno.com.
Replacement vehicle needed
"Last year I asked for your readers' help in getting a car, and one of your readers responded in donating a car," says Wendy D. of Nashua (LTR 2,103). "I have had to put money into the car in the form of a new left front axel and now I will need a new master brake cylinder, brake lines, brake shoes and pads in order to get it in shape. So I am reaching out again asking for a car, one that doesn't need ANY major repairs. I am hoping one of your readers might have a 4x4 or a four-door jeep with NO ISSUES repair wise. I am hoping to hear soon from a reader about a replacement car." Keeping a car running is often one of the fastest ways to run out of money but if you have a good car you'd like to pass along to someone who could really use it, give Wendy a call at 921-7302. Evenings are best time to call.
Updates
Kadyn B. of Nashua (LTR 3,304), hoping for an ISO Digital Drawing Pad for Adobe Photoshop, writes "I just want to thank you so much about the ad you placed. A nice woman from Hollis was kind enough to give me the tablet and now I am one step closer to becoming a graphics designer."
Donna S. of Nashua (LTR 3,309) writes "Chris, You've won the hero award once again! The collection of quilting magazines was claimed by a fellow quilter for the use of beginning quilters in a local guild. I am sure they will enjoy them. Thanks again."
Contact Chris' Mailbag by emailing christine.graham33@gmail.com or sending mail to Chris' Mailbag c/o The Telegraph, 110 Main St., Suite 1, Nashua 03060. Include full name and complete address, along with telephone number or email address for publication, if applicable. Items eligible for publication are for donation, trade or barter only; requests of items for sale or purchase will not be included.
