Jam the Gym: Leaving a Legacy One Pop Tab at a Time

What began as a simple act of kindness in 1994 has grown into one of Albany’s most meaningful and enduring traditions.

Following the first-ever Jam the Gym at Albany Area High School, Jim Wensel loaded bag after bag of aluminum pop tabs into his Chevrolet Blazer. The tabs—collected during the event—were destined for nearby McDonald’s locations to support Ronald McDonald House Charities. By the time he finished packing, the vehicle was filled to the brim, a powerful symbol of a community coming together during a time of unimaginable loss.

More than three decades later, Jam the Gym continues to thrive.

Rooted in Remembrance

Jam the Gym was born out of tragedy. In 1994, Jim and his family lost his 14-year-old son, Michael, to brain cancer. Michael had been deeply involved in Albany athletics, and in his memory, friends and family organized a pop tab collection to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities—an organization that provides housing and essential support to families with seriously ill children.

“We never went there, but we had a lot of friends that did and used it,” Jim shared. “We thought this would be a great way to start.”

That first year alone, the community collected 450 pounds of pop tabs. With approximately 1,000 tabs equaling one pound, the impact was immediate and remarkable.

But beyond the numbers, Jam the Gym gave the Wensel family something even more meaningful: a visible, tangible reminder that they were not alone.

“I don’t really care how much money it’s making,” said Jennifer Streiff, Michael’s sister. “It’s more about people seeing and supporting and helping each other and coming together when life is so hard.”

A Tradition Carried Forward

Since that first event, Albany Area High School has hosted Jam the Gym every winter, typically alongside a girls basketball game. What started as a family-led effort has evolved into a student-driven tradition, now spearheaded by Albany’s Captains and Leaders program.

Planning begins months in advance. Students contact local businesses, collect door prizes, promote the event throughout the community, and organize volunteers for the big night. A representative from Ronald McDonald House Charities even visits the school to share the organization’s mission and impact, helping students understand the direct difference their work makes.

Albany Activities Director Scott Buntje sees the event as more than a fundraiser.

“It’s a great event from an educator’s standpoint,” Buntje said. “You see our students really taking charge and being leaders.”

At the end of each Jam the Gym, Buntje gathers the collected pop tabs—now often overflowing in bags—and transports them to support the charity, much like Jim did more than 30 years ago.

Inspiring the Next Generation

For many students, Jam the Gym is woven into their childhood memories.

“I remember looking forward to Jam the Gym as a little elementary schooler,” said Claire Lecy, a current member of Captains and Leaders. “My parents and daycare provider always hyped it up, and I would start collecting pop tabs months before the event. It’s special to now help continue this tradition.”

From a single vehicle packed full of pop tabs to a decades-long community movement, Jam the Gym stands as a testament to resilience, generosity, and the power of athletics to unite people for something greater than the game.

In Albany, the legacy lives on—one pop tab at a time.