Schools on the south side of the river are continuing a tradition of banding together to support the Ronald McDonald House.

For years, Chocowinity Primary, Chocowinity Middle, S.W. Snowden Elementary and Southside High schools have participated in the pop tabs fundraiser, in which soda can tabs are collected in bulk and then purchased at the market rate, with proceeds benefitting Ronald McDonald House of eastern North Carolina.

Ronald McDonald House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing housing for families whose children are being treated at local medical facilities.

Pop tab contributions from Beaufort and surrounding counties raised a total of $4,061.88, through about 17,000 pounds of tabs, according to the Ronald McDonald website.

The charity receives around 25 cents per pound, and each pound contains almost 1,300 pop tabs, the website states.

Collected pop tabs from the four schools are sent to Tina Petty, a math teacher at Southside and leader of the school’s Math Club, who then ensures their arrival to the House location in Greenville, according to Catherine Tahaney, principal of S.W. Snowden.

“We have a big tub in the cafeteria,” Tahaney said. “We’re a community of schools, and we all support each other.”

Petty was not available to comment for this article, but earlier this month, she wrote, “All the schools on the south side of the river have joined forces to raise money for the families of sick children by serving as drop-off locations for the pop tabs. … (Southside) Math Club members will also support the Ronald McDonald House in the spring by participating in the annual ‘Sport a Shirt, Share a Night’ fundraiser, collecting wish list items to donate, and making door decorations.”

Tahaney said many students have benefitted from help provided by Bright Futures Beaufort County, Coats for Cash and Christmas tree angels, so they understand the importance of these initiatives.

“They definitely know how important it is to receive help,” Tahaney said. “It’s just important that kids understand that all families struggle and things happen.”

Alicia Vosburgh, principal of Chocowinity Primary School, shares a similar view on participating in the pop tabs fundraiser.

“This is a wonderful way to build a sense of community among our students and a way to show kindness and gratitude toward others,” Vosburgh said. “Saving the pop tabs help(s) provide a home away from home for families of hospitalized children in eastern N.C.”

For more information on how to donate pop tabs, call 252-847-5435.