We would like to thank each and every person that saves aluminum cans for Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary and all the businesses and Hudson-Miller-Tatum VFW Post for allowing us to collect aluminum cans on their property. When you donate your aluminum cans to Faithful Friends, you follow President Teddy Roosevelts mantra to “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.” As volunteers, we don’t always see the many nice people that drop off cans at our “can kennels” at different times of the weeks, but we do not take it for granted. We have carried out this project since 2008, and every cent raised from cans continues to go toward helping to provide for the needs of sweet dogs and cats waiting to be adopted.

As the Christmas season approaches, we especially wanted to remind you that we can take your old unwanted or burnt out strands of Christmas lights and put them to good use. In fact, we collect them year around. You can drop them in the Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary Aluminum Can Drop-off spots around Salisbury. Faithful Friends can recycle them. The drop-off sites at The West End Plaza (formerly called the Salisbury Mall) and the drop off location on Brenner Avenue at the Hudson-Miller-Tatum VFW Post are accessible 24/7. The complete list of all drop-off spots & addresses are listed at faithfulfriendsnc.org/can-team/

The lights need to be bagged separately from aluminum cans left in the “can kennels.” The lights will be kept out of our landfills and used for a good cause.

Also, as a friendly reminder, we are not able to recycle human vegetable cans & soup cans, dog food cans, pie pans, or any plastic bottles. If you are unsure if it’s aluminum, stick a magnet to the can and if the magnet does not stick, it means it’s aluminum and we can take it. If you have any questions, feel free to email the can team at Lowen@carolina.rr.com

Faithful Friends doesn’t receive any kind of federal, state or county government funding for our no-kill animal sanctuary so every dollar raised helps (but unfortunately doesn’t pay all the needs), especially as costs for food, medicine and vet care has risen. We can always use new volunteers with pickup trucks who would help us sort cans and/or or drive the cans to the buyer however often you are able. Monetary donations for the animal’s care are appreciated, if you are able.

We wish everyone a great year in 2025. Thank you everyone for your support and kindness. Keep bringing us those aluminum cans and Christmas light strands!

Lora S. Owen is a volunteer with the Faithful Friends Can Team.