Scrap metal has value for local Red Cross

13 years ago
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer

    PRESQUE ISLE — While the goal of spring cleaning is to remove clutter, Pepsi Beverages Co. in Presque Isle found a way for the task to be philanthropic.

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Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson

    PEPSI BEVERAGES CO. in Presque Isle, along with a contribution from Star City Sanitation, Inc., recently donated $300 to the American Red Cross — Pine Tree Chapter. Pictured are, from left: Andy LeBlanc, manager of Star City Sanitation; Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the Pine Tree Chapter; and Bob Bishop, territory sales coordinator for Pepsi Beverages Co. and chair of the action planning team.

    After cleaning out the Presque Isle plant, Star City Sanitation, Inc. hauled a load of scrap metal to Onesteel Recycling in Caribou which pays for the unwanted metal.

 

    “It’s been about two years since we last did a big spring cleanup,” said Bob Bishop, territory sales coordinator for Pepsi Beverages Co. and chair of the action planning team. “We accumulate things like old signs and display cases.

    “I had a discussion with Edgar LeBlanc at Star City Sanitation and he suggested taking the metal to Caribou so we could get paid for it,” he said, “and we decided to donate that money.”

    Together with a contribution from Star City Sanitation and Pepsi, $300 was donated to the American Red Cross — Pine Tree Chapter.

    The purpose of the action planning team, Bishop said, is to not only to improve the work environment, but to support community organizations, as well.

    “The thing with the Red Cross is that we know that it’s local, and that’s our main goal,” said Bishop. “We’re trying to keep the money local; that’s where we feel the money needs to be. We are an action planning team and we support surrounding towns, and the best way for us to get that money dispersed to surrounding towns is through the Red Cross. They take care of the whole county.”

    Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the Pine Tree Chapter, said she was very pleased by Pepsi’s generosity.

    “I’m very humbled and honored that Pepsi chose the local branch of the American Red Cross to give their donation to,” she said. “The action planning team has our mission in mind of helping provide services to those in need, and we appreciate their support.”