We all have them – aluminum cans and plastic bottles we need to recycle. The Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead Mountain Sunrise has created a program to turn those recyclables into cash for student field trips.
It was in 2008 that Jerry Savage – a former member of the club who moved to Arizona – who started the program. When he moved off the mountain, Rotarians Jill Neumen took it over.
Several times a year, Neumen asks her fellow Rotarians to bring in their recyclables – only aluminum and plastic, no glass – and then she delivers them to Joe Jurado, who teaches the moderate/severe special education class at Rim of the World High School. While he calls it a life skills class, Neumen and her Rotary Club call the students their Awesome Learners.
The students take the tabs off the aluminum cans and turn them into Ronald McDonald House. The cans themselves and the plastic bottles are turned into Burrtec, who gives the students cash for them.
“We use the money for a variety of activities and trips,” Jurado said. “Each spring we go to either Stater Bros or Goodwin’s and shop for our end-of-the-year party.
“We also take a tour,” Jurado added, “and the kids learn about different jobs and apply budgeting and shopping skills. We also use the money to purchase items for class celebrations.”
Jurado, who is also the head football coach at Rim High, has taught the class since 2018. He collaborates with Carla Vitti-Malagoli, the other moderate/severe special education teacher.
Neumen welcomes donations of aluminum cans and plastic bottles from the community. Email her at mtnjmama@yahoo.com to arrange for a pickup.
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