MH VB 5--22

Manhattan Challenges Neighboring Villages to Pop Tab Competition

Community fundraising effort for Ronald McDonald
House expands to include multiple villages

The Village of Manhattan has officially challenged neighboring communities to a summer-long pop tab collection competition benefiting the Ronald McDonald House, with Mayor Mike Adrieansen announcing the initiative during Tuesday’s board meeting.

The friendly competition between Manhattan and Channahon aims to determine which community can collect the most pop tabs throughout the summer months, with both villages also collecting donations for families with seriously ill children within their own communities.

“We both agreed that there’s nothing more important than supporting families that are seriously ill children,” Adrieansen said, noting the competition was suggested by Mary Joe Elkins, an Elwood resident who works in Manhattan.

The villages have also invited Symmerton and Elwood to participate in the challenge. Collection points will be established at village halls and participating bars and restaurants throughout each community.

Details are still being finalized, but organizers plan to weigh the collected pop tabs and announce results at Labor Day festivities. The competition adds a playful element to the charitable cause, with Adrieansen joking that when Manhattan wins, “we can expect Mayor Schumarker to serve our board dinner from Channahon’s restaurants.”

Trustee Tom Doyle, who has personal experience with pop tab collection, shared that he and his wife have been involved in similar efforts for three years. This year alone, they donated 161,000 pop tabs to a fifth-grade teacher in South Bend, Indiana, who works with children in need through the Ronald McDonald House program.

The initiative demonstrates growing inter-municipal cooperation in the region while supporting a cause that directly benefits families dealing with serious childhood illnesses. Residents can begin saving pop tabs from soda and beer cans, with official collection points to be announced as details are finalized.

Latest News Stories

Treasury sanctions accused Costa Rican drug traffickers

Treasury sanctions accused Costa Rican drug traffickers

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration announced sanctions against four Costa Rican drug traffickers and two business entities as part of an effort to crackdown on cocaine. “Costa...
S&P keeps U.S. outlook stable, but says federal finances won't improve

S&P keeps U.S. outlook stable, but says federal finances won’t improve

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A top-credit rating agency decided to keep its outlook for U.S. credit stable, but said the federal government's financial position "won't meaningfully improve" in the...
Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards

Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois student leaders serving on state higher education boards will now receive $500-per-semester scholarships under a...
Mayor Karen Bass's charity skips working Americans, data suggests

Mayor Karen Bass’s charity skips working Americans, data suggests

By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square Less than 1% of aid recipients from the official charity of the office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported receiving the earned income tax...
Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O'Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Work begins on $1.5 billion O'Hare expansion A new round of construction has begun at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Airline...
Putin, Zelenskyy to meet after 'successful' peace talks with Trump

Putin, Zelenskyy to meet after ‘successful’ peace talks with Trump

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Russia and Ukraine appear to be inching closer to peace, as the two leaders are set to meet after rounds of meetings between President Donald...
WATCH: Dems, GOP battle over CA redistricting

WATCH: Dems, GOP battle over CA redistricting

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Emotions ran high Monday as Democrats and Republicans in Sacramento accused each other of sabotaging democracy before the 2026 mid-term congressional elections. The parties' press...
Trump holds high-stakes peace talks with Zelenskyy, European leaders

Trump holds high-stakes peace talks with Zelenskyy, European leaders

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, five European heads of state and NATO leaders at the White House on Monday to hammer out...
Newsom files FOIA request on border patrol's appearance

Newsom files FOIA request on border patrol’s appearance

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office is submitting a Freedom of Information Act request for details regarding the Trump administration’s decision to send U.S. Customs and...
Soaring utility bills, solar federal tax credit cuts dominate Illinois energy debate

Soaring utility bills, solar federal tax credit cuts dominate Illinois energy debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Energy prices and clean energy policy took center stage during a senate energy and public utilities...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs crypto regulations

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs crypto regulations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs crypto regulations Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed two laws to regulate cryptocurrency. Senate Bill 1797 requires cryptocurrency companies to...
Trucking industry leader: New law may drive business out of Illinois

Trucking industry leader: New law may drive business out of Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A trucking industry leader says more businesses may leave Illinois after the signing of Senate Bill 328....
DEA targets drug smuggling corridors in work with Mexico

DEA targets drug smuggling corridors in work with Mexico

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Drug Enforcement Administration officials plan to work with their counterparts in Mexico to target the gatekeepers of the smuggling corridors between the two nations. The...
Planned restart of California oil production faces legal challenges

Planned restart of California oil production faces legal challenges

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Oil and gas production resumed on May 15 that had been out of service for 10 years after an oil spill off the California coast,...
Derailment disrupts train service for Chicago, New York, Washington, Miami

Derailment disrupts train service for Chicago, New York, Washington, Miami

By Alan Wooten | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Passenger train service involving routes to Chicago, Miami and New York is on hold because of a...