Almost three years after beginning his team pop top collection for recycling by Ronald McDonald House, Kaylon Holt continue on his mission. As we’ve told our readers before, the energetic peer started to collect aluminum cans pop tops to raise money for a friend’s father, who was ill with cancer and later passed away. Kaylon then broadened his efforts to support other families – this time, those of children who were seriously ill throughout Southwest Georgia.
To date, Kaylon has contributed over 1.5 million pop tops (!) to the Columbus, Georgia Ronald McDonald House, through collaboration with Perry Wellness Center and a variety of other organizations; e.g., schools, churches, and local businesses. Kaylon has placed drop-off containers in Sumter, Schley, and Marion counties, although anyone is free to contribute. Recently, a group from Tazewell Methodist Church began to make donations, and many hunters from North Georgia and Florida stop by Dent Hardware in downtown Buena Vista to leave their pop tops in its drop-off box.
Kaylon’s caring personality and bright smile draw others to the project. In these times, Kaylon notes: “With these masks, people cannot see my face or my smile. But I am still thankful for the many who have worked to make this such a successful project.”
He continues, “I am proud of these collections and the continuing work of Ronald McDonald House. I am glad that Perry Wellness Center is teaming with Ronald McDonald House to increase awareness of our project. I can’t wait to deliver our next load of pop tops!”
According to his most recent count, Kaylon has approximately 10,000 pop tops to place in larger plastic bags prior to his next delivery. In the photo above, he stands with his latest collection, including those recently picked up from Dent Hardware and Tazewell Methodist Church.