Hunter’s Pop Tab Mission

Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick’s Newsletter

Ten-year-old Hunter George knows firsthand the difference the Ronald McDonald House can make. Born with serious health challenges, Hunter has spent nearly 200 days in the hospital, with his family often staying at the Ronald McDonald House  while he received care at UC Davis and Shriners hospitals. Grateful for the support they received, Hunter decided he wanted to give back—so he started collecting aluminum pop tabs.

In just two years, Hunter has gathered over 217,000 tabs (171 pounds!), filling 13 boxes with donations that come from near and far. Packages arrive from across the country—sometimes just a handful at a time, sometimes by the pound. His largest single donation so far came from the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at Modoc Middle School, who collected an incredible 30 pounds through a project sponsored by the Rotary Club. Local schools, the Lions Club, FFA, VFW, and countless individuals throughout Modoc County have pitched in as well. Volunteers have spent hundreds of hours pulling tabs from cans and delivering them to Hunter.

Hunter’s dream is big: he wants to deliver 2,000 pounds—two full tons—of pop tabs to the Ronald McDonald House. So far, he’s at the 170-pound mark, but he isn’t slowing down. He’s already reaching out to more schools and community groups to join the effort this year. Along the way, he’s also raised over $1,000 in cash donations, proving that when a community comes together, small acts truly add up.

Hunter’s grandma shared with Team Hadwick that, “at just 10 years old, our grandson is already showing the world what it means to lead with his heart.”

Every single contribution, no matter how big or small, helps ensure families can stay close to their loved ones during difficult times.

How to Help:

• Start saving the tabs from soda, soup, or other aluminum cans.
• Collect them in a bag, jar, or container.
• When you’re ready, send them to either Hunter or to the RMHC (details below):

1201 Juniper Street
Alturas, CA 96101

OR

Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern California
2555 49th Street
Sacramento, CA 95817

For larger donations, you can also coordinate with your local Lions Club, which partners with RMHC to collect tabs across Northern California.

It’s an easy way to give back—and a powerful reminder that even the smallest actions can make a big impact!

To learn more about the RMHC Pop Tab Program, click here: https://rmhcnc.org/get-involved/pop-tab-program/ 

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