There’s never a wrong time to support a cause and this summer, residents at Aladdin Villas found a charity to connect with. Earlier this summer, Tom Hollan from Aladdin Villas wanted to give back to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), but he sought a local chapter. Previously, residents would collect pop tabs and make monetary donations but would return the donations to a chapter up north.

“I knew Ronald McDonald House Charities collected pop tabs, and when I took over the operations, I researched where they actually went, and I wanted to help local kids,” said Tom Hollan.

“We’re all grandmas and great grandmas, so we want to help kids,” said Ruth Kaloway, another Aladdin Villas resident. “We can’t imagine what families go through. Being older, we are all too familiar with hospitals, and to have a child in a hospital … it’s just heartbreaking.”

Another resident, Ron Platow, said his sister had experience with RMHC. His niece and nephew were seeking long-term treatment at University of Minnesota Hospital. The family stayed at a Ronald McDonald House, and it was a lifesaver for them.

Pop tabs are recycled for cash that is used to help support families while they stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Corpus Christi or the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in Edinburg and Harlingen. Anyone can save a pop tab from their soda cans they drink. Can you imagine how many you can save if it becomes a habit at dances and entertainment at the parks?

You can use anything to collect them in as well – a zip-loc bag, plastic bin, shoe box, or a milk jug, as we had many parks do several years ago when Anastasia (WTT office manager) put a call out when she had a school friend in need.

Tom looks forward to the winter months when his community will have returning Winter Texans visiting the RGV with hopes of being able to give more. Since he began in June, Tom has returned with pop tabs and items on the RMHC South Texas wish list with books, crayons, and other supplies for children to use while seeking treatment at the hospital.

Aladdin Villas consists of 492 houses, with over 750 in population. Tom knows with his Winter Texan friends coming back, there is so much more they can do for the charity.

When asked why they moved down to the RGV, Tom and his colleagues said, “We love the RGV community.”

There are many other ways you can help out. As Tom has done, there is a wish list on their website that includes things such as kitchen items, cleaning supplies, microwaveable foods, snack packs, children’s activities, and more. You can also volunteer in several capacities, share-a-meal with a family staying at the home or donate clothing.

You can find out more information, and their wish list, online at https://rmhcofcc.org/.

To find out more information, or may ways to donate to your local RMHC, contact Miriam Gelman, RGV Development Manager, at (956) 476-6489 or mgelman@rmhcstx.org.

 

 

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Tom Hollan and other Aladdin Villas residents present Miriam Gelman with their most recent donation in September.