Each time someone disposes of a plastic water bottle, soda can, or beer bottle, they are throwing away money. Most bottles and cans (with a few exceptions like Gatorade bottles), can be recycled for a value of five or ten cents. Next time you go to throw away money, think about the good that money can do. A perfect example is the upcoming bottle and can drive, hosted by Woodland’s Best Buddies chapter.

On September 16th, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., everyone in the community is invited to volunteer their time-or their recyclables-to help make this event a success. Last year the event generated roughly $850 for the chapter, and this year they hope to increase that number.

“The funding that we get goes back into the outings and things that we do,” said Melissa Dean, the co-advisor of Best Buddies.  “The point of the Best Buddies program is not just to keep [the friendships] in school.” 

Dean and Tiffany Vitone, the other co-advisor of the club, match up students with special abilities and students in the community, to make meaningful friendships. Activities in these friendships can include attending Best Buddies events and meetings together, going for pizza, enjoying ice cream, or watching movies. In addition to increasing funding, the chapter wants to put emphasis on the importance of community participation.

“Our goal this year is really to get a lot of kids involved in our program,” said Dean.

The more members in the club, the more opportunities there are to make lasting connections between Woodland students. The first step on this incredible journey begins Saturday morning with the donations of the community’s valuable recyclables.