Caring for someone with special needs takes patience, understanding, and a caring heart. After having difficulty responding to traditional treatment programs, Blake Jones Owens of Akron, Ohio found great success in a recycling program supported by local businesses including E&H Ace Hardware.

Blake was born with multiple disabilities, including being nonverbal and mild cerebral palsy. After not having much success with established treatment programs, his mother Rosemary Noland and his direct service provider John Gumbita came up with the idea of starting a recycling program for Blake.

Blake loves to recycle cans and bottles. To start the program, Rosemary and Blake placed recycling bins at local businesses. E&H Ace Hardware was one of the first businesses to participate.

"We’ve made some great relationships with Ace Hardware," said Rosemary. "They’re like family."

"I’ve seen Blake with people at Ace," said John. "He is just absolute friends with the people there. Everybody knows him and they’re happy to see him."

Blake goes around to collect the cans and bottles, which he drops off at the Akron Fire Department. The fire department then recycles the aluminum cans. Any money that they raise is donated back to the Akron Children’s Hospital burn unit.

"Rosemary has been one of our customers for years," said Tim Kirk, E&H Ace Hardware Manager. "I think there’s nothing more rewarding than helping your neighbors and helping your customers. These people support us and our business, and I think it’s critically important that we support them back."