Fort St. John Hospital Foundation hopes to raise $50,000 through summer scrap drive

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation is hoping to raise $50,000 through a summer scrap drive for its Greatest Needs Fund. 

ABC Recycling has organized this annual event for the foundation for the past two years. This year, the drive is scheduled to run until Sept. 1, 2026. 

Megan Rader, the foundation’s new executive director, said last year the drive raised just over $22,000. 

She said, “It happens most of the summer and they do it as a way to give back to the hospital foundation and make it an accessible way for our community to give back to the foundation.” 

Anything from scrap vehicles to vehicle parts, appliances, bikes, tools, demo materials, old patio sets, lawn mowers, and household materials can be dropped off at ABC Recycling or arranged for pickup. 

“They raise money for our hospital,” Rader said. “This money goes into our Greatest Needs Fund. When the hospital addresses needs, we’re able to fill them as quickly as possible.” 

Rader noted the drive has been well-received in the community over the past couple of years. 

“It’s a way that people can clear out their old appliances and turn them into funding for the foundation. It’s an easy way to get involved in the community and give back to the community,” she said. 

Rader mentioned that the top contributor to the scrap drive will earn bragging rights and take home a trophy. 

She said, “I would challenge people to get involved in the scrap drive and the top contributor earns bragging rights, but also gets to take home a trophy, a one-of-a-kind handcrafted cowboy hat made entirely out of scrap metal.”