We are always touched by charities and foundations that strive to make our world better, but it’s even more touching when children take part in these wonderful events. Most local schools hold fundraisers that the students can participate in to raise money for Cancer Research at St. Jude or Walk for Diabetes but there is one little boy in particular that has been working hard on his very own fundraiser: the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Many families that have a child undergoing treatment for cancer or other illnesses have to travel a long ways away from their own home in order to receive the medical attention that their child needs. The Ronald McDonald House takes away most of the pressure so that the family can focus on the most important thing: their child getting better and walking on the road to recovery. Families that fit into this category are able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House at little to no cost at all where their groceries, meals, and shelter will be provided for them.
Brandon Scott was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was almost two years old. As he grew older, he realized that he could help other people and families with their “Home Away From Home” by just collecting the tabs off of the tops of his soda cans. Scott is now ten years old and has been collecting soda tabs nearly all of his life with the help of his mother, Kim Scott, and his family and friends.
St. Louis has three different Ronald McDonald Houses due to the multiple children’s hospitals located there. Since first opening in the early 1980’s, the Houses in St. Louis have helped over 300,000 families that have traveled there for their children to receive treatment. That is why Scott has a new prospective and goal for next year’s Tab Top Pandemonium, which is a benefit held in Metro St. Louis in May for the local Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Scott is hoping to collect three thousand pounds of soda can tabs for next year’s benefit. Although it may seem like a lot, it’s a really easy thing to do. Most people may go through one or two sodas a day, so now you know that plucking that pull tab off the top of your can could help Brandon reach his goal and help a family that is gaining support from the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
To get people fired up and ready to collect for next year, Scott and his parents organized a day of fun on Saturday, April 20th. This fundraiser will hopefully gain support of the community, friends, family, businesses, churches, schools, and other large groups that could help him collect the tabs he needs to reach his goal. The third Saturday in April will give the guests many opportunities to support Brandon and his fundraiser.
Aside from bringing your tabs, the attendees will get the chance to meet both Brandon and Ronald McDonald. The Scotts will be selling food, bracelets, and raffle tickets for three great prizes that will be announced at a later date. The fundraiser also includes a giant silent auction, with all proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House. This great day of fun will be on April 20th in Poplar Bluff at the American Legion on PP Highway. Scott hopes that they will have a good turnout and will jump start their tab collecting for the benefit next May.
Even if you’re not able to make it to the event in late April, you can still help Scott and his great cause by collecting pull tabs and spreading the word. If you would like to lend a helping hand in this fundraiser then you can contact Kim Scott at 573-300-6195 or join their Facebook Event titled: “Pull Tab Drive For Brandon Scott”.
