Parkrose ‘Can Crew’ raise, donate, thousands through bottle drive

Here’s an update on all the good that the Parkrose Bronco Boosters Deposit-Return Bottle and Can Drive is doing for the outer East Portland schools …

These student volunteers (and parent helper) at July’s Bronco Boosters Deposit-Return Bottle and Can Drive are from the Parkrose High Girls Softball Team.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Although Dave “Can Man” Luce retired in 2012 from the Parkrose Bronco Boosters Deposit-Return Bottle and Can Drive, his leadership lives on in the dedicated volunteers, led by Patty and Greg Meighen, who have kept this valuable fundraiser going strong.

In the past, on holiday weekends, they’d hold the collection onthe following Saturday. However, because Independence Day was on a Tuesday, they kept to their first-“Saturday-of-the-month” schedule, and went ahead and held it on July 1.

Continuing the tradition begun by Dave Luce, here are Greg Meighen and Patty Meighen.

“When we change the collection day, we often have people coming here to Parkrose Middle School and dropping off cans and bottles anyway – so, we decided to keep it on July 1,” main organizer Patty Meighen told East Portland News.

“We’ll be here on the first Saturday of August, but – because people go out of town for Labor Day weekend, we’re scheduling the collection for September on the second Saturday..”

Some of the volunteers from the Parkrose High School Girl’s Softball Team show off the massive haul of cans that were donated during the drive.

Collecting cans provides big donations
“Because of this effort, we were able to give five $1,000 scholarships to Parkrose High School graduating seniors this year,” Meighen said. “Also, we are able to support the Parkrose High Senior All-Night Party, with a donation of $5,000 – all from donated bottles and cans.

Funds earned by sorting and turning in these donated bottles and cans help support Parkrose High students and groups.

“Beyond this, we were able to distribute about $7,000 – over the course of the year – to student groups from Parkrose High, as well as Middle School AVID students, who helped out during the monthly can drives.”

The project also got a boost from the PDXlive Concerts at Pioneer Courthouse Square last year, Meighen acknowledged. “They donated about $3,500 worth of cans last summer – and, even better, they’re doing it again this summer during concerts in August.”

As closing-time nears, volunteers enjoy an on-site pizza party.

August 5: Parkrose Bronco Boosters Beverage Bottle & Can Drive
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., take your deposit-return cans and bottles to help support their community educational efforts. They’ll be at the Parkrose Middle School front entrance, at 11800 NE Shaver Street, 97220.

For large pickups of (empty) deposit-return bottles or cans at business, or homes, contact Patty Meighen at pmeighen@hotmail.com.

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