Nobody understood why Ruth Hana, at 91 years old, would dive into dumpsters to retrieve cans, only to remove the pop tabs and discard the cans.
It was certainly peculiar. Little did they realize that Ruth’s accumulation of pop tabs would go on to positively impact countless lives.
Initially, people were skeptical about her
As Ruth Hana rummaged through trash bins and climbed into dumpsters without hesitation, bystanders couldn’t help but wonder about her motives.
Ruth was not homeless, and the townsfolk recognized her, but nobody took a moment to pause and inquire about her actions. However, they would soon uncover the reason behind her peculiar behavior.
Ruth Was 91 Years Old
At 91 years old, Ruth didn’t mind the curious gazes and judgmental looks from others. She had been alone for most of her life and had grown accustomed to the scrutiny.
Strangely enough, she felt a sense of gratitude for her solitary upbringing. It was precisely because of her unique childhood experiences that Ruth was the kind of person who fearlessly dove into dumpsters – and she had a very good reason for doing so!
No One Asked Why
Every day, Ruth dedicated herself to thoroughly searching through as much garbage as possible. Her sole objective was to uncover cans, whether they contained soup, soda, or other food items, that had a pop tab.
The reason behind her intense focus remained a mystery to onlookers, as Ruth had never been questioned about it, and she didn’t feel the need to offer an explanation.
Years And Years Of Sifting Through Trash
Ruth’s dumpster diving had been a long-standing habit. For years, the townsfolk had observed her climbing into dumpsters and sifting through people’s discarded items.
Their confusion and occasional disgust didn’t bother Ruth in the least. She was well aware of her actions and their purpose. The pop tabs held a significant importance for her, and she remained steadfast in her mission.
She Was Old But She Wasn’t Going To Sit Around
While Ruth understood the importance of her mission and its potential long-term benefits, the disapproving looks and comments from others persisted. Some went as far as telling her, “You’re too old to be doing anything like this.”
Ruth would simply shake her head at such remarks. In her view, age shouldn’t dictate a person’s activities, and she refused to succumb to the idea that being elderly meant one had to spend their days idle.
From A House To A Retirement Home
Over time, Ruth made the decision to transition from her home to a retirement facility. The facility was well-appointed, and the staff proved to be accommodating when Ruth brought her extensive collection of pop tabs with her.
She expressed her gratitude for their understanding since having such a large collection was typically against the rules due to the potential clutter it could create in a room.
Her Mission Didn’t Stop
Although the retirement home provided comfort, Ruth yearned for the freedom to venture outside. She missed the autonomy she once had. Being confined to the home’s grounds didn’t deter her from her mission.
Every day, Ruth diligently scoured through all the trash she could find, continuing to amass more and more pop tabs as part of her ongoing commitment.
Each Day She’d Count Her Findings
At the close of each day, Ruth would settle into her room and meticulously count the pop tabs she had gathered before placing them into the various boxes, jugs, and containers scattered throughout her living space.
Similar to the townsfolk, the residents and staff at the retirement home remained perplexed by Ruth’s fascination with collecting pop tabs.
Ruth Collected One Million Tabs
Ruth was filled with anticipation as she aimed to reach the one-million mark in her pop tab collection. When she finally discovered the last tab to complete her collection, a crowd of residents from the retirement home gathered to witness her remarkable achievement.
Amidst the cheers and applause, the curious onlookers were more eager than ever to learn the purpose behind Ruth’s dedicated collection.
She Didn’t Tell Anyone What They Were For
Despite the growing curiosity of those around her, Ruth continued to keep the purpose of her vast collection a secret. She remained tight-lipped about why she had gone to such lengths to amass the pop tabs over the course of many years.
Enduring judgment and unkind glances, Ruth had finally accomplished her mission, and she was prepared to pass on the collected pop tabs for their intended purpose.
Load Them On Up!
Ruth responded to her collection with a simple smile before retreating to her room.
There, she put on her shoes, donned a jacket, and approached the staff at the retirement home, requesting their assistance in loading all the boxes containing her one million pop tabs into the facility’s van.
The Staff Was More Than Willing To Help
The staff readily agreed to assist Ruth, relieved that the clutter would be cleared.
Yet, their curiosity remained unabated. After all this time, they couldn’t help but wonder why Ruth wanted to part with the pop tabs that appeared to hold significant importance for her. The mystery of her motive continued to intrigue them as they helped load the boxes into the van.
Ruth Gave The Driver An Address
With all the pop tabs securely loaded into the van, Ruth handed the driver a small piece of paper bearing an address.
The driver, accompanied by two staff members, set off towards the specified location, their curiosity piqued, eager to uncover the purpose behind Ruth’s collection as they anticipated what awaited them upon arrival.
A Large Building And A Man In A Suit
As the bus driver parked in front of a sizable building, confusion swept through the group about why they had been brought here, except for Ruth.
She had made an appointment and knew that they were expecting her. That’s when a man in a suit emerged from the building, heading directly toward the van. He approached and inquired, “Are you Ruth?”
The Ronald McDonald House Charity
The gentleman took Ruth’s hand and greeted her with warmth, saying, “Mrs. Hana, it’s truly a pleasure to finally meet you.” Emotions welled up in him as he witnessed the immense number of pop tabs that Ruth had brought along.
It was then that Ruth revealed her purpose—she was donating her entire collection of tabs to the nonprofit Ronald McDonald House Charity. The question on everyone’s mind, however, remained: why had she undertaken this remarkable endeavor?
This Wasnt Her First Donation
It became apparent that Ruth’s act of kindness was not an isolated occurrence. She had a history of taking initiative to assist those in less fortunate circumstances, regularly contributing to charitable causes and offering her support whenever possible.
Nevertheless, the Ronald McDonald House held a unique significance for her, as it played a vital role in organizing programs for families with children facing adversity, particularly those dealing with illness.
Ruth Grew Up An Orphan
Ruth’s strong connection to the organization stemmed from her own challenging childhood. Growing up as an orphan, she had never experienced the solace of having someone there when she felt lonely, scared, or unwell.
Ruth was determined to ensure that no child would have to endure those feelings. Thus, she embarked on her mission of collecting pop tabs to support the nonprofit organization, aiming to make a difference in the lives of children who needed it most.
She Had Certificates And Thank You Letters
Ruth actually dedicated most of her adult life to assisting children, a fact that became evident when she and the staff returned to the retirement home.
At the facility, Ruth shared her numerous certificates and thank-you letters received over the years with the staff. She had made such a significant number of donations to charitable organizations that the city had declared a Ruth Hana Day on 12 separate occasions!
Giving Back To The World
Ruth wasn’t seeking recognition; her primary goal was to ensure the children’s well-being and comfort. Therefore, she concealed the letters in a box under her bed.
She wasn’t the type to boast or seek attention. Ruth’s sole intention was to give back and make a positive impact, regardless of whether her charitable efforts were publicly acknowledged.
The Charity Collects Tabs
It still raises the question: why did she undertake the task of collecting one million pop tabs? How could they possibly be used to benefit children? Well, the Ronald McDonald House actually collects pop tabs.
Individually, the aluminum tabs may not be worth much, but when you combine everything that Ruth brought in, they can add up to a substantial sum of money.
The Pop Tab Program Has Made Over $4 Million
The Ronald McDonald House collects the aluminum tabs and subsequently takes them to a local recycling plant, where they exchange the tabs for money.
As of 2022, the Pop Tab Program has generated more than $4 million! These funds are used to cover facility expenses, support programs, and to sponsor various initiatives to benefit children and their families.
Tabs Are More Sanitary Than Whole Cans
The foundation was primarily interested in the tabs themselves, not the entire cans or containers, as tabs are more sanitary and easier to store over time.
Once a sufficient quantity of tabs has been collected, the charity takes them to be weighed to determine their total value. At that point, the recycling plant issues a check on the spot!
“It Makes You Look Beyond Yourself…”
The nonprofit organization is highly renowned. When inquired about the Ronald McDonald House, one of Ruth’s fellow retirement home residents spoke in glowing terms, stating,
“They operate entirely on volunteers and donations, and when you see what Ronald McDonald House accomplishes, it inspires you to look beyond yourself and help someone else.”
“…Look Beyond Yourself.”
The resident went on to discuss Ruth and her mission, remarking, “It’s giving her a sense of purpose.”
“She feels like she’s making a meaningful contribution, and it’s crucial for an older person to have a sense of purpose in life — a reason to keep going. As you age, it becomes important to extend your concerns beyond yourself.”
Ruth Started Something Big
Upon learning that Ruth was collecting pop tabs for charity, the entire retirement home decided to rally behind her cause. Eventually, the entire home started collecting tabs!
One staff member expressed, “I’m truly impressed by how this pop tab collection has gained momentum. It has even extended into the community, and I’m delighted that Ruth has embraced it. It has given her a sense of purpose and made her feel valuable.”
Ruth Almost Fell Down In The Dumpsters A Time Or Two
In an interview with a Milwaukee news station, Ruth playfully discussed her days of “dumpster diving” and explained why she considers it essential to give back to the community.
She quipped, “I remember going to Miller Park, and it’s quite amusing; sometimes, I’d come close to tumbling into those dumpsters.” Nonetheless, Ruth always recognized the significant value in her charitable endeavors.
She Didn’t Stop After The Tabs Were Handed Off
Even after donating her extensive collection to the Ronald McDonald House, Ruth didn’t cease her efforts. Following the handover of the boxes filled with pop tabs, she continued to dive into dumpsters and search for tabs whenever the opportunity arose.
She serves as an inspiring example of how even a simple act can make a significant difference in helping children in need.
“It’s not what you get; it’s what you give that counts.”
Ruth went on in the interview to share her experiences growing up in an orphanage without a family. This was one of the driving reasons behind her passion for charity work. She expressed,
“Christmas would arrive, and I would cry because I had no one to celebrate with. The same thing happened on my birthday…It’s not about what you receive; it’s about what you give that truly matters.”
Ruth Made Her Own Family
Despite growing up without the experience of having a family, Ruth has managed to create her own.
Through her generous donations, the recipients wanted to meet their guardian angel. Ruth shared, “The mothers are just overwhelmed. They’re like my family now.”
More Frequent Donations
With Ruth’s determined mindset and the support of her fellow retirement home residents, she continued to collect an increasing number of pop tabs.
This collective effort enabled Ruth to make more frequent donations to the Ronald McDonald House. Needless to say, no one was going to give Ruth strange looks anymore when she dove into a dumpster to search for cans!
Otha Anders Walked Into A Bank Pulling A Dolly Of Pennies
It had started as an ordinary day at the bank until Otha Anders walked in, towing a dolly piled high with water jugs filled with coins – pennies he had gathered from the streets over the years.
Things had suddenly taken an intriguing turn. The banker looked at Otha in amazement, uncertain about what to do next. She finally asked, “How many pennies are there?” Otha didn’t have a clue.
Otha Was A Family Man With A Quirky Hobby
Otha Anders, a 73-year-old family man, enjoyed the support of his loving wife and children in all his endeavors.
He served on the Jackson School Board, overseeing students facing in-school suspension. Otha cherished his life, even though his unconventional hobby led some to consider him a bit eccentric.
He Enjoyed Picking Up Pennies
What initially began as a casual pastime of picking up pennies off the street had evolved into a full-fledged and obsessive hobby for Otha. He derived immense joy from discovering these small coins scattered on the ground.
For him, each penny served as a constant reminder to be grateful for the blessings in his life, including a roof over his head and the presence of his family.
The Hobby Had To Do With His Faith
In an interview, Otha elaborated on his hobby, stating, “I came to believe that spotting a lost or dropped penny was an additional God-given reminder to always be grateful.”
He continued, “There were days when I neglected to pray, and more often than not, a lost or dropped penny would appear to remind me.”
His Faith Was At An All-Time High
Otha had always been a deeply religious man, but in recent years, his faith had reached new heights. He perceived every penny he found on the ground as a divine gift from God.
Little did Otha realize, his fortunes were about to experience a significant upturn when he made the decision to cash in all of his collected pennies.
One Time Turned Into A 45 Year-Long Hobby
When Otha picked up his first penny from the ground, he had no idea that it would become a habit he’d continue for another 45 years. Nevertheless, he began collecting and keeping each penny he found.
What’s more, he stopped spending the pennies he received as change. Instead, every single one went directly into his growing collection.
It Wasn’t Just Pennies On The Ground
There was an additional aspect to Otha’s collecting habits. Whenever he made a cash purchase at a store, he made a point to request his change in a manner that included at least three to four pennies.
The more pennies, the better! This peculiar habit persisted over time and contributed to the continuous growth of his penny collection.
He Had 15 Five-Gallon Water Jugs Full
With the pennies he found on the ground, the change he deliberately accumulated, and the pennies generously given to him by others to support his collection, Otha’s pile of pennies steadily grew taller and taller.
After 45 years had passed, he had amassed so many pennies that they filled 15 five-gallon water jugs to the brim! The exact count was beyond his estimation.
Otha Didn’t Want To Stop His Collection
It had taken Otha 45 years to accumulate enough pennies to completely fill 15 five-gallon water jugs, and he had ambitious plans to collect even more.
He believed that his collection constituted a small fortune and decided it was time to include it in his home insurance. However, the universe had a different plan in store for him.
The Home Insurance Company Wasn’t Going To Let Him File
Otha was determined to include his prized penny collection in his home insurance, but when he approached his insurance company for coverage, they refused. Undeterred, Otha still wanted to renew his home insurance, so he decided it was finally time to cash in his extensive collection of pennies.
As he brought the 15 water jugs filled with pennies to a bank, he couldn’t help but wonder what to expect. With the help of his friends, he loaded the jugs onto a truck and set off for the bank. The next step was unloading the pennies onto a dolly and wheeling them into the bank for counting.
Otha Had Roughly Half A Million Pennies
The woman remained in her place, clearly unsure about the situation. It was evident that this was no ordinary day at the bank. She hesitated before posing the question to Otha,
“Could you give me an approximate count of the number of pennies you’ve brought in?” She was taken aback when Otha replied, “I’d estimate it’s around half a million pennies.” Half a million!
