By Staff Reports  

Students at Barkley Bridge Elementary School recently collected more than 350 pounds of pop tabs that will benefit families who visit the Ronald McDonald House.  

In total, students collected 377.08 pounds of tabs that will be donated to the nonprofit organization in Birmingham.  

Barkley Bridge students collected 365 pounds of pop tabs in 2020 and 462 pounds in 2021, the top elementary school in the competition both years. Donations are still being accepted at the school – students collect the tabs year-round and turn them in every spring.  

The nonprofit Ronald McDonald House cares for up to 73 guest families every night, keeping them together while their children receive medical treatment at nearby hospitals.  

According to the RMH website, in addition to providing a comfortable bedroom, families are surrounded with love and support from volunteers, staff and other guest families who share the same hopes and fears. Home-cooked meals, activities, indoor and outdoor play areas, laundry facilities, computers, WiFi, and much more are also provided so that guests can concentrate on what is most important — family.  

It takes $125 per night per family to operate the Ronald McDonald House. However, families are not required to pay a room fee and no family is ever turned away for their inability to make the minimal donation.