About four years ago, Paul Bothwell was watching the news and saw someone who donated 150 pounds of pop tabs to the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Rochester, MN. He thought to himself, “I can do that!” and a new endeavor began.
“His personality is one where he has to have a project, so this was his project,” Paul’s son Rick Bothwell stated. Not long after Paul decided to collect pop tabs, others started to hear about Paul’s ambitious plan. Moose Lake Area community members and businesses quickly joined Paul and also started to gather pop tabs. The project eventually became known nationwide! Pop tabs were shipped to Paul from multiple states including Florida, New York, Texas, Washington, and more.
Paul also started going to the recycling sheds around Willow River (now the Transfer Station) and in Moose Lake. He would go when they were open to pick off the pop tabs. He visited so often that he ended up getting hired by the Moose Lake Recycling Center! Each time he would visit the recycling center, he would walk out with a coffee can full of pop tabs.
The Ronald McDonald House holds a special place in the heart of First National Bank of Moose Lake. Over the years, multiple staff members have utilized their services.
Paul, Rick, and First National Bank of Moose Lake will be meeting with the Ronald McDonald team to weigh the pop tabs the last week of September 2024. This donation will go towards the five houses in the Upper Midwest, which includes Duluth and the Twin Cities.
If you would like to donate any pop tabs or other shelf-stable items for Paul’s big drop off, First National Bank of Moose Lake will continue to take donations and items can be dropped off at 400 Elm Ave in Moose Lake by Monday, September 23rd.
For more information about the Ronald McDonald House Charities located in the Upper Midwest, visit their website listed below.
