Soldiers collect pop tabs to aid cancer research

Photo By Sgt. Marshall Thompson | Spc. Teresa Ramirez, left, a personnel clerk from 2-44th Air Defense Artillery, and Spc. Sharleen Franyutti, a supply clerk with 2-44th ADA, hand a box of pop can tops to Maj. Patrick Howard, 3rd Corps Support Command's deputy G-5 on March 7. Soldiers from 2-44th ADA have been collecting to the pop tops to raise money for cancer research.  

03.23.2006

Courtesy Story

207th Public Affairs Detachment

Soldiers around Logistical Support Area Anaconda are paying more attention to what they do with their empty soda cans. By saving the pop tabs, Soldiers can raise money for cancer research.

That's why Spc. Sharleen Franyutti, a supply clerk, Spc. Teresa Ramirez, a personnel clerk, and Pfc. Christina Boyers, a supply clerk, all from the 2-44th Air Defense Artillery, got together and put up signs and bottles around their unit area.

"We found out about it and decided to do it," Franyutti said. "We put up bottles to collect them."

The idea came from Lt. Col. Albert Zakaib, 3rd Corps Support Command's G-5 civil affairs officer.

"I'm planning on sending these soda can tabs to a relative in Canada who has cancer herself and who has been turning them into a company that provides funds for the Cancer Society in exchange for the tabs," Zakaib wrote in an e-mail.

Zakaib said that the idea is starting to catch on and that he's already received over 2,000 tabs. He said he hopes to receive even more as more Soldiers hear about the program and start saving their pop can tops.

"I figure with all the sodas that are being consumed on this base, I could collect a sizable amount during my tenure here," wrote Zakaib.

Franyutti said that since starting the project, she finds herself picking up pop tabs wherever she sees them. She said that sometimes her pockets jangle from all the aluminum pieces. She and Ramirez agreed that it's been fun doing the project.

"We've had a lot of fun making the signs and getting the bottles ready," Franyutti said. "We all laughed a lot while doing this."

Ramirez said that anybody could start collecting around their units and turn the collections of pop tabs into the civil affairs office located near the Provider Chapel.

"It's good to be in Iraq and do something more," Ramirez said. "We can help people back home."

Franyutti and Ramirez have only been doing the project for about two weeks and already have a boxful of tabs. They have plans to put collection points up in the dining facilities on LSA Anaconda.

"They're popping these things all day at the DFAC," Franyutti said holding up a pop can tab.

Some might worry that a campaign like this will encourage Soldiers at LSA Anaconda to drink more soda then they normally would, but Franyutti said that's not necessarily true.

"I wouldn't say I've been drinking more soda, but I'm more aware what I do with my soda cans," she said.

Ramirez said it's a good program for her because she likes to drink soda. Still, for these Soldiers, it's all about the people back home.

"It feels good because we are here to help people back home," Franyutti said. "That's the real reason."

• Date Taken: 03.23.2006
• Date Posted: 03.23.2006 11:35
• Story ID: 5816