Since 2000, Marlene Bowen-Grissett and her husband Robert Grissett have been making a difference for families served by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho. From their home in Salmon, Idaho, they have spent years collecting over 456,000 pounds of pull tabs, aluminum cans, and other recyclable items to help raise funds to support families with ill or injured children. What began as a simple way for Marlene to stay active after retiring from the military has grown into a mission rooted in generosity, service, and compassion.
Marlene retired from military service in 1991 after 26 years, including time serving in Vietnam. She has spent much of her life helping others, and retirement did not change that. “I just like doing things,” Marlene said. “I don’t want to sit around.” Not long after returning home to Salmon, Marlene began collecting cans along the highway. Over time, more people in her community learned what she was doing and wanted to help. Local businesses, friends, neighbors, and even strangers started saving recyclable items for her.
Today, that support has grown into a community-wide effort. People drop off cans and pull tabs. Local connections help collect aluminum, car parts, and other recyclable materials. Marlene and her husband sort, clean, crush, and haul it all themselves. They have their own can masher! The work is no small task. Marlene regularly drives to recycling centers in Idaho Falls or Missoula, hauling large loads in a trailer specially modified by her brother to carry more. Some trips are more than 260 miles each way.
She puts in the time, covers the fuel costs, and handles the hard work because she believes deeply in helping families. “It’s something I wanted to give back,” she said. “A lot of people need help, and a lot of people go to the Ronald McDonald House. It is nice to see the kids being taken care of.”
Marlene remembers when her niece was born premature at around two pounds and understands how important support can be during difficult times. Over the years, she has also heard countless stories from families whose lives were touched by Ronald McDonald House.
One story especially stayed with her. A local coach once stopped Marlene just to thank her. His grandson had been born prematurely, and their family spent time at the Ronald McDonald House in Boise. He shared how much the House meant to them during that difficult season. Moments like that remind Marlene why this work matters.
Her support goes beyond recycling. Along with pull tabs and cans, Marlene has donated teddy bears, soap, coffee, and other thoughtful items to help bring comfort to families staying at the House. Even while facing her own challenges, Marlene continues to serve. She and her husband have both faced health battles over the years, but she remains determined to keep going. At nearly 79 years old, Marlene is still loading trailers, crushing cans, and making long drives to recycling centers. Her energy, grit, and heart for others continue to inspire everyone around her.
Marlene credits her upbringing for her strong work ethic. Raised in a large family in Salmon, she learned early the value of hard work, resilience, and staying active. That mindset has stayed with her throughout every season of life. “I’ll continue until I can’t do it anymore,” she said. That statement says so much about who Marlene is.
Her generosity has helped provide comfort, care, and support for countless families staying with RMHC of Idaho. Every can collected, every pull tab saved, and every mile driven helps families stay close to their child during some of life’s most difficult moments. Marlene’s story is a powerful reminder that making a difference does not always happen in big or flashy ways. Sometimes, it happens one pull tab at a time. We are incredibly grateful for Marlene and Robert and for the lasting impact they continue to make for Idaho families.
You can make a difference, too. Start collecting pull tabs, aluminum cans, and other recyclables in your home, workplace, school, or community. Every donation, no matter the size, helps provide comfort, care, and a home away from home for families who are facing a medical crisis. You can drop off your pull tabs at the Ronald McDonald House in Boise or the Family Room in Idaho Falls! We will recycle them and all funds will go to help families in need. Important Note: We cannot accept bottle caps. Only all metal pull tabs.
Join our volunteer family by clicking this link: https://www.rmhcidaho.org/get-involved/.
