Collected 400,000 Cans, $25,000.00, and Fantastic Golf Events

It's 3 years now, since “THE CAN MAN” started collecting those cans & bottles at the golf course that he worked at for the MAKE-A-WISH CHARITY for children of MA. & R.I. I thought it would be a great charity to commit to, and their commitment is dedication. I felt it would be a great way to help those kids as they deal with their horrible physical issues because some of these kids don`t survive beyond single digit ages. I found that so shocking, that I really had to commit to it. I want to help as many of these kids as I can by collecting these recyclables. It makes me feel like I was accomplishing a major challenge, and I am.

One of my co-workers, found out that the C.E.O. of MAKE-A-WISH was playing golf on the course. I couldn`t believe it. He told me to go out on the course and locate him and explain my plan to him. I located him on the seventh tee, introduced myself, explained my plan to him, and he was quite excited about it and wanted to know if I could meet him in his Boston office tomorrow at noon. I was there on time and was all set to sit down and talk with them, (Sean Holleran, [C.E.O.] & Kara Walker V.P. of Mktg & Com.). They directed me into a room with lights and a video camera and an audio system and he wanted me to sit at the table facing the camera, and in my own words, nothing scripted, just my thoughts and my ideas on the tape. I was all alone; it lasted for about 30 minutes. I walked away from the table and opened the door to leave the room and told them that I was done. They both thanked me for coming in, and could not wait to review it so it could be edited. I could not believe what just had happened to me in less than 24 hours, but I loved every minute of it. In a month, my comments were on their website for all to hear, and hopefully help the kids out.

Now, collecting cans and bottles has been my major commitment for the past three years. I would not have been as successful, without the help of homeowners and businesses in the Norwood area, that I meet along the way who support my efforts. By making available to me their recyclable cans and bottles that they would leave in front of their residences and in some cases in front of their apartment buildings, with my name “BOB” on the bag.  Another special thank you goes out to Capt. Richard Staunton, of the Dedham Fire Dept., Group 4, Ladder # 2, because his crew is totally committed to helping me collect soda cans.

Within this past year, I had to have my right hip replaced, which sidetracked me for six months. It was a very successful operation so I was able to grab cans and bottles again, and Dr. Michael Kain, Head of Surgery, along with his staff at the Boston Medical Center, deserve not a “10”, but an “11.” What a great job he performed.

Another big shout-out has to go to Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab, Inc. in Norwood, MA. and therapist, John Puntieri, who prepped me for 16 pre-weeks exercises and 16 weeks after operation exercises, which allows me now to move around pain-free.

I turn 8»x 8» tiles into beautiful photo clocks with the picture of boys or girls desired MAKE-A-WISH requests, along with the MAKE-A-WISH logo included on it. A battery and a nail go inside the box, to make the clock ready to run and setup on a wall.

In 2023, MAKE-A-WISH held their first Annual Invitational Charity Golf Event and I was given the green light to make four clocks for the winning team and have been making the Winner`s clocks ever since. The event has been held at the fabulous Hopkinton Country Club, Hopkinton, MA., where the wonderful Boston Marathon starts. The event has been a sellout for the past three years and the donations have increased every year. This year`s event was held on Oct. 6, 2025, and the event profited $75.000, which was an unbelievable total. Kara Walker, Chief Marketing Officer & Communication of MAKE-A-WISH of MA. & R.I. was Dinner and Program Director, and Michael Vieira, V.P. of Advancement, was the Tournament Award`s Director. The total funds collected allows the charity to make available to six recipients, their wishes. A fantastic result! The weather for the event was excellent, a totally bright blue sky, which made the course very susceptible to possibly some very low scores, which did take place, and the team of Sean Fitzpatrick, Steve Thomson, Carl Crupi, and Leigh Martinson, finished their round with a-17 under par total.

The golf professional and staff at Hopkinton Country Club are a truly classy group and they made the event just as classy all day and evening long. The lunch and evening meals were well prepared and well maintained, with plenty of food and enough time for all involved, to enjoy their day and evening festivities. It`s an event that you could see everyone was having a wonderful time, and all to support the kids. The invitees put together a marvelous effort with their total donations.

In my three years of commitment, I have collected over 450,000 cans and bottles, along with donations in my name, over $25,000. I am already looking forward to next year`s event. Again, I want to thank everyone who stepped up to the plate for me.

A happy and healthy new year to you all!!

I will be back collecting next year, so see you then!

Bob Lieberman (Co-Sponsor) & (The Can Man)