83-year-old "Can-Do" Ruth raises money for charity by recycling

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Of all the people visiting "Bandos Recycling & Shredding", there's one woman who's known by her first name. 83-year-old Ruth Hana visits there regularly. She has friends help her deposit cans for cash as she recycles hundreds of aluminum containers once holding soda or beer.

Bandos gives her more than the average customer, because they know she's taking the money only to give it to others.

Since age 55, Ruth says she's collected cans from county buildings and others places then given the money to charity. Ruth says most of the cash collected has gone to the foster system. She was an orphan, and says while growing up in homes through the years she suffered abuse in one household. She gives to organizations to try to make a difference in how other children grow up, and hopes to prevent the kind of abuse she suffered as a teen. She's collected well over one million cans, and keeps an active count of who gives and how much.

Ruth calls the act a "tonic" helping her past wounds heal. She's not sure how much longer she'll collect, but says she'll keep doing it because recycling and giving to charity makes her feel good. While she's alternated which charity she's given to in the past, she's currently collecting money for The Salivation Army. She adds if anyone is interested in helping her in her cause donating to that organization is the best way to help.

You can learn more about The Salvation Army by CLICKING HERE.