When it comes to helping children, Shriners are well known for their dedication and commitment to Children’s Hospitals.
Often however, it takes a grass roots approach to raise funds. In Saugeen Shores, the Bruce Shrine Club works in partnership with an unlikely source, The Beer Store in Port Elgin and Southampton. On Thursday, December 16th, Shriners showed their appreciation by presenting store managers and staff with Certificates of Appreciation.
Residents with returnable bottles and cans (alcohol related) and pop cans can drop them off in Port Elgin behind the Masonic Lodge at the corner of Hwy. 21 and Tomlinson Drive (opposite Independent Grocer). There, they are sorted by Shriners. The alcohol related containers are taken to the two Beer Store locations where the Shriners are reimbursed for the returnable value.
According to Shriner, Bruce Schoettler, summer is the most intense time of year for returnables. “We often have 90 bags at a time filled with 240 returnables each. While people can return their own bottles and cans to the return Beer Store depot, by dropping them off at the Shriner collection depot in Port Elgin, they are also helping children in our sponsored hospitals. Last year, we were able to raise some $24,000 all of which goes to the Children’s Hospital.”
“The Beer Store(s) has been a phenomenal partner,” says Schoettler, as they presented Certificates of Appreciation to the store managers and staff.
In addition, there are recycle bins at the many tourist camps in the area where pop cans can be dropped off. The cans are then collected by Shriners, crushed and taken to 3M Metals in Scone (ON) where they are sold for their aluminium metal value. “Last year, we raised $4,500 in pop can returns,” adds Schoettler.
