The Knights of Columbus Council #11091 started an aluminum can recycling program 20+ years ago to raise money for charity and reduce the waste generated from our social events. The program expanded to aluminum foil pans used at our food events and continued to grow beyond that to nonprecious metals and alloys. As the popularity grew, we built a ‘Can Corral’ to house the materials until we had a chance to recycle them for funds.
With the money that has been collected, we partner with the ‘American Wheelchair Mission,’ a nonprofit organization that will purchase a new wheelchair for $150. The wheelchairs are donated to veterans and people in developing countries who are affected by war, poverty, or illness, and would not otherwise have access to a wheelchair. These wheelchairs can be donated in honor of a loved one, and a certificate and picture of the recipient is then presented to the person being honored, or family of the loved one in acknowledgement of their gratitude.
We continue to hand out plastic bags at our food events, in hopes our community can help with the cause by saving their aluminum cans. So far, our Knights of Columbus Council has collected and recycled over TEN TONS of aluminum cans. Combined with the other miscellaneous metals, we have raised over $19,000, which equates to purchasing approximately 125 wheelchairs for people in need, and counting!
We are also partnering with ‘Devices for the Disabled” to collect used medical equipment (walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, beds, and disposable underwear for adults). We are in the process of collecting enough supplies to fill a shipping crate that will be transported to Mexico to assist those who would otherwise not have access.
If you would like to get more involved, talk to a member of the Knights of Columbus who will be glad to give you additional information.
God Bless and thank you for your support! Vivat Jesus!
