We’d like to share some heartwarming news from our press event last Thursday morning at Hannaford Maine Mall. Larry Bowden has been CLYNKing since we first opened for business in 2006. Larry, together with his good friend and Kora Shriner, Leo Verrill, collected can tabs back in the day for neighboring schools. Years in, they realized that they could raise even more by redeeming containers. This is a story of friendship — two guys selflessly raising money for others.
Over the course of a decade, Larry collected over 340,000 containers and raised $17,000 simply by CLYNKing cans and bottles. Last week, he donated the entire sum to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, in honor of his late friend, Leo.
On Thursday, September 20, Hannaford, CLYNK, and the Springfield Shriners honored Larry with a special event showcasing his humbling generosity, and praising his decade-long dedication to a noble charity. CLYNK CEO Alison Vanderhoof extended her gratitude to Larry through her speech, addressing event attendees.
Inspired by Larry’s dedication, CLYNK and Hannaford Supermarkets will match up to $7,500 in donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield through October 15. Participants can donate money directly from a CLYNK account online. Community members can also donate directly to CLYNK Cans for Kids.
Larry isn’t the only one recycling cans and bottles for the Shriners. Nine-year-old Orion Shearer of Holyoke, Massachusetts founded his own company called ODS Recycling, and collected soda tabs for months to give to the Shriners Hospital.
Thank you, Orion and Larry. Together, let’s make a positive change for our community, and for children in need everywhere.
UPDATE: The story was recently covered by NEWS CENTER Maine. See the story here:
About Shriners Hospitals for Children: Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education while offering comfort and hope regardless of the families’ ability to pay.
Our Springfield Hospital provided care for more than 11,501 children in over 15,000 appointments last year! Your support today will ensure that we will continue to transform our patients’ lives! Donate to Shriners Hospitals for Children now, and CLYNK and Hannaford will match up to $7,500.
