Larry VanNess was affectionately known as “The Can Man.” He was an Anderson Indiana man experiencing homelessness. He was known for his collection of pop tabs that he donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Larry started this journey in 2003 and since his start collected over 25 Million tabs. Unfortunately, Larry was in an accident last month and recently passed.

He will be missed by many people who knew him and his story. He was a kind man who cared about helping others even though he was homeless himself. The outpouring of love for Larry has been overwhelming with many people wanting to help out in any way possible including collecting pop tabs of their own to be donated to the Ronald McDonald house. 

Larry did not have everything come to him easily. In 2016, 13News interviewed him and Larry said, “I’m a tabaholic now, instead of an alcoholic. A tabaholic. I was a drunk. I was homeless since I was 16.” 

We, at The Real Estate Pros, are inspired by Larry and his personal story of redemption and his giving heart. Larry has inspired us to start our own tab collection, here are the details: 

Collect and donate your soda pop tabs plus tabs from energy drinks, soup cans, or anything with a metallic tab.  The Real Estate Pros office is serving as a drop off location at 6962 S. SR 67, Pendleton, IN 46064.  The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.  It’s our goal to carry on Larry’s life motto of giving back and keeping his legacy alive.  

The Ronald Mcdonald pop tab program brings in an average of $6,000 each year. It provides extra revenue that can help make up for the donations that families cannot make.