Norco Lions Club gets new aluminum-recycling trailer donated

Norco residents once again have a place to recycle aluminum cans while helping a good cause, after someone bought the Norco Lions Club a new trailer to replace one that was stolen in December. Proceeds from the recycling are dedicated to the Lions Club's "Cans for Sight" program, which provides eye care and glasses to the needy.

"We're very grateful. It's tremendous that they did that," said club President Ronald St. Pierre, of the donor, Big River Enterprises, which had the trailer built to the club's specifications and had it delivered last week.

Aaron Holmes, whose family owns a string of gas stations and convenience stores in St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes, said the company felt it could help the organization.

"Our company started in Norco. The community has given us a lot, so we give back," Holmes said.

St. Pierre said many others in the community stepped forward with donations for the lost funding after learning about the trailer theft. The organization generates about $6,000 a year for the eye care program, he said.

In late December, St. Pierre said someone sawed through a lock to steal the trailer which held about $600 worth of cans. The 6-by-16-foot trailer with the 4-foot high sides and open top that allowed people to toss cans inside, had sat on Good Hope Street for the past four years.

Mel DeJean, a retired teacher who was adviser to the Destrehan High School WISE Ecology Club, was ready for the program to resume. He had filled a large plastic garbage container with cans from home and his hunting camp, and deposited them in the trailer Thursday afternoon.

"Our students lobbied for the parish to start the curbside recycling program," he said.

DeJean said he had been putting cans into St. Charles Parish's drop-off recycling bins while the trailer was missing.

"But I'd much rather give them to the Lions Club. It goes to a good cause," he said.