Pop-can tabs meant a huge blessing to one Steinbach family Thursday afternoon.

For the last 20 years, Holy Cross School has been collecting pop-can tabs. In addition to class parties and non-uniform days, this seemingly small act means that each year, one local individual will receive a new wheelchair.

"When you have the opportunity to get so many people together as a team, and then the efforts that they put in produce giving a wheelchair that's going... to give them a better life because of it, then I can stay in it a long time doing exactly what I'm doing," shared Gwen Buccini, founder and coordinator of the Tabs for Wheelchairs program.

Students from Holy Cross surround Marlon Jr. in his new wheelchair."It's been an honour," shared Marlon Calakhan Sr., the father of Marlon Jr., this year's wheelchair recipient.

His mother, Analyn Calakhan, said it was great to receive the chair. "We're so blessed."

Their son, Marlon Jr., was born in the Philippines and diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. He's spent his entire life in a wheelchair, and due to his special needs, was not initially allowed to immigrate to Canada along with the rest of his family in 2006. In March 2016, Marlon was finally allowed into Canada.

He now attends Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS), and has been learning to speak English.

Marlon Jr. said he was very excited to receive his new chair, a Clik pediatric wheelchair, and that he has big plans for its first use: "Just horsing around!"Students from Holy Cross surround Marlon Jr. in his new wheelchair.

The Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association were also a recipient of a wheelchair this year, which will be used to help children with special needs pursue sport, despite their potential physical limitation.

Bryce, the 2015 recipient of a wheelchair from Tabs for Wheelchairs, and last year's recipient, Delaney, were present at the 2018 wheelchair presentation ceremony. Also in attendance was Scarlett, 5, who is to receive the wheelchair from next year's pop-tab drive.

"I think people get a good feeling when they are doing something for someone else," shared Buccini when asked why she believes her wheelchair initiative has endured 20 years. "A lot of people don't have that opportunity or don't make that opportunity, so when it's right there before them and they're doing it, they feel so good... it makes them want to do it more and more."

The coordinator said that giving away her 20th wheelchair made her feel blessed to continue carrying out the program each year.

"It's a blessing that has been given to me to be able to do it... I'll always carry on until I can't."