Pierce Terrace Elementary Students Collect Pull-tabs

Pierce Terrace Elementary School students are proving that even the smallest items can make a big difference. This school year, the PTES Health Office is leading a collection drive for soda can tabs, pop-tops, pull-tabs, and aluminum can tabs, with the proceeds supporting a non-profit organization.

Throughout the summer, students, staff, and families began saving tabs at home, and now that school is in session, the effort is in full swing. Students are encouraged to bring their collected tabs to their classroom teacher or drop them off directly at the health office.

“Please start gathering soda can tabs!” the school urged last school year, and the efforts continue. “The efficacy of students engaging in modest acts of charity is astounding.” That message continues to resonate as classrooms fill with containers of shiny aluminum tabs, each one representing a contribution toward an important cause.

The collected tabs will be donated to a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a “home away from home” for families with children receiving medical care. By offering lodging, meals, and a supportive community, this non-profit helps keep families together during times of illness, allowing parents to focus on their child’s recovery without worrying about the added costs and stress of accommodation.

Every tab counts. The entirety of the funds generated from this program goes directly to improving the health and well-being of sick children and their families. For the PTES community, it’s an opportunity to teach students the value of kindness, service, and compassion—while uniting around a cause that affects countless families.

As the school year progresses, Pierce Terrace Elementary hopes to see the collection continue to grow. With each tab dropped into a container, students are reminded that even the smallest acts can add up to make a lasting impact.