One easy way to help Alabama families + kids right now—saving pop tabs

Reviewed by: Lacey Muenstermann

Reading time: 5 minutes

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Kids from Danville Neel Elementary School show off their total of pop tabs after collecting them for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.
Danville-Neel Elementary School students show their collection total from saving pop tabs at a Pop Tab Party. (RMHC of Alabama)

Next time you’re about to toss an empty soda can in the recycling bin, stop, twist and pull off the tab. Tuck it away, and repeat.

Before you know it, this new habit of saving pop tabs could help keep a family together when they need it most.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama has been turning tiny aluminum tabs into help for families with sick or injured children since 2002. This year’s drive has some fun and exciting new twists!

Read on for tips on saving pop tabs, dropping them off and finding this year’s Pop Tab Parties across Alabama.

Become a pop (tab) star

The front of a yellow tee shirt showing a heart shaped pile of pop tabs and the phrase "Pull Together. Save Together" for RMHC of Alabama,
New Pop Tab T-shirts have arrived at RMHC of Alabama. Here’s where to order. (RMHC of Alabama)

The pop tab program generates around $10,000 annually, equating to 67 nights of comfort and care. The goal is to increase that to $15,000 or more.

While schools have participated in the Pop Tab Pandemonium drive for years, it’s also open to community groups this year. Battle of the Breweries adds another exciting new way to compete.

Here are tips on getting your collection started as an individual or group:

  • Use durable Ziploc bags or other sturdy containers with a wide opening.
  • Use RMHC of Alabama’s resources like donation box labels and flyers to rally support.
  • Make it a fun challenge with competitions and prizes.

Dazhia Davis-Carr, a fourth-grade teacher and Beta Club sponsor at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Phenix City, says her school has put many of these tips to work in their first year to participate in the drive. One teacher’s Facebook post brought tens of thousands of tabs from local churches, community groups and even friends from out of state.

“We wanted to find a simple yet meaningful way for our students to give back, and the Pop Tab Program was the perfect fit. It’s an easy and accessible way for students, teachers, and families to contribute to a great cause, supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the families they serve.”
Dazhia Davis-Carr

Start saving pop tabs today to help keep families close at times when they need it the most.

Parties with a purpose

A man and woman stand in front of a McDonald's sign at a Pop Tab Party at a Decatur, Alabama McDonalds, with the people being Owner Operator Tim Wilson and Stephanie Langford of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.
Kids empty bags of aluminum pop tabs into large plastic bins after saving pop tabs and collecting them for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.
McDonalds Owner Operator Tim Wilson and RMHC of Alabama Director of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Langford (pictured at left) agree there’s nothing like the fun energy of the pop tab parties held statewide every spring. (RMHC of Alabama)

While individual donations are always welcome, consider donating your tabs to support a school or local group competition in Pop Tab Pandemonium. You can give them directly to the schools or bring them to the Pop Tab Party closest to you each spring when groups deliver their tabs for weigh-in.

Tim Wilson looks forward to seeing the spirit of competition come together at these events every year. Wilson owns and operates 12 McDonald’s locations, including the one that hosts a Pop Tab Party annually in Decatur.

“Just seeing the excitement on their faces, guessing how much their pop tabs weigh, and then enjoying a McDonald’s lunch after a job well done is always a good thing to see.

“Ronald McDonald House is near and dear to McDonald’s hearts. It’s a charity that McDonald’s has been supporting for many years and helps a lot of people through difficult times. Every cent, every pop tab makes a difference.”
– Tim Wilson

🎉 Pop Tab Party 2025 Dates + Locations

🍻 Battle of the Breweries

This year, RMHC of Alabama added a new twist to saving pop tabs—the Battle of the Breweries.

Local breweries are competing to collect the most tabs, with a special trophy up for grabs. So far, five breweries in Birmingham, Hoover and Jasper are participating, and more are welcome to join!

📆 A weigh-in event is set for May 17 at Birmingham’s Monday Night Brewing Social Club.

Where to drop off your tabs

Kids from Pike Liberal Arts School show off their total of pop tabs after collecting them for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.
Students from Pike Liberal Arts School proudly display their pop tabs total at a Pop Tab Party. (RMHC of Alabama)

Once you’ve filled up your containers, it’s time to donate! Here’s where you can drop off your collection:

  • A participating local school, community group collection site or participating brewery
  • Any Pop Tab Party location, especially for large collections
  • Large collections may also go to any one of RMHC of Alabama’s recycling partners. Be sure to tell them you’re dropping them off for RMHC of Alabama!
  • The Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham’s Pop Tab House for small collections

Ready to start saving pop tabs to help families and kids served by the Ronald McDonald House? Visit RMHC of Alabama’s website for more details about this year’s drive.

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