— One man’s trash is another man’s tin man or bulldog at the Nederland Senior Center. The center has been collecting cans and turning the discarded containers into tin men and bulldogs, a tribute to their community roots.

They then sell the creative creations for $25 each to raise money for additional activities for the seniors.

And raise money they have.

“We sold them at Summer in the City and sold out of all the tin men we had,” said Diane LaPoint, director of the Nederland Senior Center.

“We had people placing orders sight unseen.”

Myrtle Foreman first had the idea to create the tin men almost 20 years ago while living at Sam Rayburn. Since then the resourceful senior has also designed a bulldog, Indian and even an eagle.

“The hardest one I’ve ever made was the Indian,” said Foreman. “The metal fringe on the front was tough.”

And they aren’t just for local fans, Foreman has even mailed them to other states.

“I’ve sent them all over the place like a New Mexico Christmas store, Louisiana, Alabama, you name it.”

The biggest problem facing the tin man assembly team now is a lack of cans. So far they have orders placed for 11 tin men and seven bulldogs, but they need more cans to see them come to life.

“We’ve got so many orders, we’re desperate for cans. We just haven’t found the right source yet, and we’ll travel to pick them up.” said LaPoint, joking that they may need to dumpster dive to find enough cans.

Helping to fill the orders was volunteer Jesse Gill, who also plans a future defending the U.S. with the Marines.

“It makes you feel good at the end of the day,” being a part of the helping proccess, said Gill.

Practically any kind of food can is good for the sculptures: peach, vegetable, soup, sardine, tomato sauce, tuna or cat food, coffee; metal bottle caps, 8x1/2 phillips head pan sheet metal screws and 16 gauge stainless wire. The center is hoping to buy another drill, drill bits, wire cutters and needle nose pliers which will allow more people to help assemble the tin men and dogs.

For anyone interested in ordering a tin can creation or donating to the Nederland Senior Center call (409) 727-5230. Cans or other supplies can be dropped off at the Nederland Senior Center at 914 Boston Ave., Nederland.

cedgerton@panews.com

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