Cans for Kids is one of IVCanDO’s most successful and long-standing fundraising programs. Since launching in 2017, the program has donated nearly $210,000 back to local youth groups, sports teams, and school programs — all powered by the generosity of our community and our partnership with the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC).
How It Works:
- Every Saturday, a different local youth-focused organization volunteers at the Cans for Kids bottle and can return site (Oregon Caves Chevron in Cave Junction).
- That organization receives the funds collected that day — often several hundred dollars in a few weeks!
- We keep the program simple, consistent, and community-driven.
Want to Help?
- Donate your cans and bottles on any Saturday from 10 AM–1:45 PM at the Oregon Caves Chevron.
- Participating groups can boost their earnings by promoting their donation day to friends, family, and local businesses.
- Looking to participate? Sign-ups for 2026 begin September 20, 2025.
2025 Highlights:
- Cans for Kids celebrated 7 years in 2025
- This year’s program aims to grow by another 10%
- Special thanks to Jeff Stiles, owner of Oregon Caves Chevron, for generously hosting the site every week
Program Goals:
Support our Illinois Valley community in a hands-on, sustainable way
Keep fundraising local
Empower youth-led groups
Bring by your clean – not crushed – cans and bottles on Saturdays from 10am to 1:45pm behind Caves Chevron in Cave Junction!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I donate to IVCanDonate?
Clean, not crushed Oregon 10-cent deposit bottles and cans. Have questions? Watch the video below:
What organizations or programs will my can and bottle donations benefit?
The Cans for Kids program benefits a variety of youth-focused programs in the Illinois Valley – from sports teams to nature schools. When you visit our donation station, your cans will both directly benefit the organization that has signed up to volunteer for that day and a small portion of the funds leveraged from donations will go into a separate pool of money that is granted to organizations with unexpected expenses, one-time financial needs, or that don’t have a volunteer day on the annual schedule. We are proud to support a diverse group of organizations that support the varied needs of youth in our area.
How do I sign up my youth-focused organization or program?
Because of the popularity of IVCanDonate, we create annual schedules – so, contacting us to sign up will be for the upcoming year. That being said, sometimes organizations need to change the date that they have signed up for. We also ask that your organization or program be local to the Illinois Valley. Use our contact form, email us, or call us to put your organization on the list!