Written By David Gomez
MIDDLESEX - It is very likely that you have seen one of these collection buckets somewhere in Middlesex County—and, for that matter, there is one right here at The Middlesex Banner office in Strathroy.
For more than a year, Melbourne resident Gordon Robbins has been collecting pop and beverage can tabs across the county to support Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital. Now, after helping raise funds for accessories connected to the hospital’s MRI, the campaign is moving on to a new goal.
“The MRI is fully funded,” Robbins said. The collection will continue, but money raised from the tabs will now go directly to the hospital foundation to help address other needs.
Rather than ending the original campaign, Robbins said the effort is continuing under a new name and with a broader purpose.
“They were so pleased with our results with the first one,” he said, adding that approximately $3,500 was raised through the initial campaign. Robbins said about 17.5 million tabs were turned in during that effort.
The next round of fundraising will not be tied to a single piece of equipment. Robbins said potential uses could include wheelchairs, new pediatric beds and other items needed throughout the hospital.
Collection points remain spread across the county, including Strathroy, Mount Brydges, Komoka, Glencoe and Melbourne.
The campaign has no set deadline. Robbins said the plan is to continue collecting tabs for as long as the hospital foundation can benefit from the funds.
Robbins hopes residents will keep saving their tabs.
