Your empties can help save lives, so return them

The Beer Store and the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 12R24 are encouraging Ontarians to donate their empty alcohol containers to Beer Store locations May 23-24 for a good cause.

The Beer Store and its 7,000 employees are calling on customers, friends and family and the general public to participate in the Annual Returns for Leukemia Bottle Drive.

The effort follows the Victoria Day long weekend; one of the busiest times of year at the Beer Store.

“It’s an especially exciting time as we head into our tenth year, having raised over $10 million for leukemia and lymphoma research in Canada,” said Beer Store president Ted Moroz.

“The Returns for Leukemia Bottle Drive, in collaboration with our great friends from UFCW 12R24, has become a year-round fundraising and fun-raising campaign.

“The campaign peak is The Returns for Leukemia Bottle Drive weekend near the end of May. I am so proud of our 7,000 hard working employees."

The union, too, said it's happy to support such the cause.

“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada has been the charity of choice for our members since 1985,” said Rob Edwards, president of UFCW Local 12R24. “Our members are proud to join forces with the Beer Store and our very generous customers to raise money for research and help support families affected by blood cancers.

“To have raised over $10 million in the last 10 years is truly an amazing accomplishment and will serve as motivation to continue to work towards the day that there is a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers."

All 450 Beer Store locations across Ontario will be encouraging customers to donate their empty beer, wine and spirit containers to benefit leukemia research on May 23 and 24.

Visit bottledrive.ca for more information.