1 ORGS · 13 ACTIVITIES ← all strategies ·
theory of action →

Recycling for Medical Support

By collecting and recycling plastic bottle caps, fund pediatric cancer care, because community-driven recycling generates sustainable revenue for critical medical and emotional needs. This strategy leverages everyday waste as a resource, transforming plastic bottle cap collections into direct financial support for children with cancer. What distinguishes it from other fundraising models is its focus on a specific, highly visible, and participatory form of recycling that engages communities while addressing both medical and psychosocial needs—such as wigs, transportation, and last wishes—through 100% dedicated funding.

1
orgs running it
13
activities of those orgs
5
clusters touched
who runs it

organizations running this strategy · 1

what it looks like in practice

activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above. These are what the strategy looks like on the ground.

  • Collect and donate hair for wigs MeHug
    direct service
    MeHug collects hair donations, totaling over 1000 since April 2017, and donates them to organizations like Wigs for Kids and Crowns of Courage to create wigs for children.
  • Collect and donate plastic bottle caps MeHug
    direct service
    MeHug collects plastic bottle caps, having gathered over 5500 pounds since March 2021, and donates them to Banco de Tapitas A.C., with a goal of over 20 tons by June 2025, often driving long distances to pick them up.
  • Distribute Thanksgiving dinner gift cards MeHug
    direct service
    MeHug donates over $20,300 for Thanksgiving dinners, providing gift cards to over 330 families.
  • Donate toys to children in special education MeHug
    direct service
    MeHug donates over 5000 toys to children in special education, often allowing children and their siblings to choose toys, sometimes with Santa visiting classrooms.
  • Emotional support sessions for parents/guardians MeHug
    direct service
    Provides donated 30-60 minute emotional support sessions to parents and guardians.
  • Financial assistance for families in need MeHug
    direct service
    Provides direct financial donations to parents for essential expenses such as rent, car payments, food, gas, medical insurance, travel for specialized equipment, legal representation, and holiday meals; has donated over $20,000 since 2015, including over $20,300 for Thanksgiving dinners benefiting more than 330 families.
  • Free educational group sessions for parents MeHug
    direct service
    Produces free group session series for parents on topics including special education and starting a home-based business.
  • Hair donation program for children with medical hair loss MeHug
    direct service
    Organizes and donates hair from events and ongoing collections to organizations supporting children with medical hair loss, including Wigs for Kids and Crowns of Courage; has collected over 1,000 hair donations since April 2017.
  • Plastic bottle cap recycling and donation initiative MeHug
    direct service
    Collects plastic bottle caps through a network of Embajadores locations, driving over 3,000 miles to gather materials; has collected over 5,500 pounds since March 2021 and donated over 20 tons to Banco de Tapitas A.C. by June 2025.
  • Produce parent group session series MeHug
    direct service
    MeHug produces free group session series for parents on various topics, including special education and starting a home-based business.
  • Provide emotional support sessions for parents MeHug
    direct service
    MeHug donates 30-60 minute emotional support sessions to parents and guardians.
  • Provide financial assistance to parents MeHug
    direct service
    MeHug provides financial assistance to parents for various expenses including rent, car payments, food, gas, medical insurance, travel for specialized equipment, and legal representation, having donated over $20,000 since 2015.
  • Toy donations for children in special education MeHug
    direct service
    Donates over 5,000 toys to children in special education programs, allowing children and their siblings to choose gifts, sometimes facilitated by Santa visits to classrooms.