How a Simple Recycling Idea Raised $40,000 for Cats

It started with a nickel… and changed everything.

Hey Whisker Crew,

Every once in a while, I hear a story in the cat world that piques my interest. Not because of a new supplement, a new study, or a brand-new wellness trend…

…but because of pure human creativity and heart.

This week on the Golden Whiskers Podcast, Marge Goldin from Tender Loving Cats shared something I’d never heard of before:

A simple recycling idea that grew into a $40,000 fundraising engine, powered by compassion, community, and adults with disabilities who wanted meaningful work that helps cats.

And it all started with one question:

“How can we raise money when rescues are always one medical emergency away from financial catastrophe?”

Today, I want to share a 9-minute, 45-second clip from our conversation where Marge explains how Tender Loving Cats works behind the scenes, and how this recycling program became the heart of their mission.

The story is hopeful, eye-opening, and honestly… something every community could learn from.

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✨ Episode Snapshot

In this snippet, Marge walks us through:

🐾 How Tender Loving Cats operates as a fully foster-based rescue — no building, no shelter facility, just people opening their homes.

🐾 Their unique Kitten Companion Project, which brings young kittens into nursing homes, schools, and assisted-living centers so they can be held, loved, and socialized.

🐾 The backstory behind Recycling for Rescue — a program they started simply because rescues need consistent funding to survive.

🐾 Why the program stalled… and how it was transformed when a local disability-support organization stepped in and said:
“My guys love to do this. Would you be willing to work with us?”

🐾 How adults with disabilities now collect, sort, and redeem bottles across Long Island, giving them a sense of purpose while raising money for spay/neuter surgeries.

🐾 The impact:
$750–$800 a month redeemed in nickels
(over $40,000 total since the program began)

🐾 How the partnership has expanded to multiple organizations and now covers all of Long Island — with weekly routes, pickups at homes and businesses, and tons of community appreciation.

🐾 Why residents love participating — no trips to the supermarket machines, no hassle, and all bottles go to a meaningful cause instead of the trash.

It’s one of the most joyful, quietly powerful stories I’ve shared on the show.

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🐾 Marge’s Action Steps for Cat Parents

Everything here comes directly from what Marge shared in the clip:

1️⃣ One-time fosters make a difference

If someone finds kittens and can offer temporary care, that’s enough for a rescue to step in and help with marketing and adoptions.

2️⃣ Socialization is lifesaving work

Kittens visiting nursing homes and similar facilities benefit both the people holding them and the kittens themselves. Early handling matters.

3️⃣ Recycling can save lives

Every bottle or can — every nickel — goes toward keeping rescues afloat in the face of medical bills and emergencies.

4️⃣ Community partnerships are powerful

Whether it’s students, families, or adults with disabilities, involving your community creates purpose, consistency, and impact.

5️⃣ Anyone can start something like this

As Marge put it:
“Anybody could start a program like that in their own local community to help rescues.”

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♻️ What I Learned About the Recycling Program (And Why You Should Consider Starting One)

This part of the clip made me lean in.

Before this partnership began, Tender Loving Cats struggled to grow the recycling program. Volunteers (like high school students earning service hours) were helpful, but the help wasn’t consistent.

Then something unexpected happened.

A staff member from a disability support organization said:

“My guys love to do this. Would you be willing to work with us?”

That simple question changed everything.

Here’s what the program looks like today:

• They get requests for pickups from homes and businesses.

• Volunteers from disability-support programs handle most of the heavy lifting:

  • picking up bottles

  • transporting them

  • redeeming deposits

• They do it daily.

• They show up happy, smiling, and proud of their contribution.

• Community members love working with them and often comment on their professionalism.

• The program now spans all of Long Island, thanks to multiple organizations participating.

• Many people don’t want to deal with bottle machines — so they’re thrilled to donate them instead.

And over three years?

Over $40,000 raised. All from nickels.

That blew me away.

Why this matters for your community

Because it’s simple.
It’s scalable.
It’s inclusive.
It’s meaningful.
And it helps cats immediately — especially with spay/neuter funding.

If you’ve ever thought,
“I wish I could do something, but I don’t know where to start…”
this model is a blueprint.

A porch bin.
A pickup route.
A drop-off location.
A partnership with a local school or disability-support group.

It doesn’t take much to start something small — and watch it grow.

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🧡 What I’m Thinking About With Niko & Milo

Hearing Marge talk about litter after litter being born in someone’s yard made me think back to how many times I’ve seen a “mystery cat” wandering around my own neighborhood.

It also made me rethink the idea that helping rescues has to be complicated.

A can.
A bottle.
One small action that rolls into something bigger.

This week, I’m reminding myself — and maybe you need this too — that helping doesn’t always mean fostering or trapping or organizing big events.

Sometimes helping starts with noticing.

And then doing one small thing.

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🐱 This Week’s Cattitude Prompt

If a recycling program like this existed in your town, would you participate?
And if it doesn’t exist, could you see yourself helping start one?

Hit reply, or comment below. I’d genuinely love to know.

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🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode with Marge

The $40,000 Nickel: How One Rescue Is Saving Cats and Empowering Adults With Disabilities
👉 Click here to listen (or search for the Golden Whiskers Podcast wherever you get your podcasts)

Thanks for reading, thanks for loving your cats, and thanks for being part of the Golden Whiskers family.

Until next time,
💛 Scott | Golden Whiskers